One Voice (1997)
Back in 1990, Winnipeg-based choreographer, educator, and dance advocate Stephanie Ballard made a solo on Peggy set to Song from the Thracian Plain sung by the Bulgarian State Television Female Vocal Choir. Part of a larger work of Stephanie’s called Continuum, this untitled solo found new life seven years later.
Stephanie writes: “Peggy Baker is an extraordinary dance artist. A Canadian jewel. Her unique ability to fulfill movement with power and clarity has inspired me since going across the floor with her at the Toronto Dance Theatre studios in 1973. The creative point of departure for this solo for her came from my interest in the Bird Goddess as described by Marija Gimbutus in her book The Language of the Goddess. Peggy was able to embrace the statuesque and spiritual qualities that numerous bird goddess images and stories portrayed. Our creative process embraced primitive and contemporary movement.” SB
Peggy adds: “I always loved this solo from Continuum, and wondered if it would stand on its own without music. I planned to include it on a program for which all of the other music was performed live. Stephanie very generously allowed me to premiere the solo - which we titled One Voice - in silence for musicDANCEarray in March of 1997. I was thrilled by performing the distillation of this work, and danced it on a several different programs over the next few years.” PB
Collaboration. Evolution. Refinement. These are recurring themes in Peggy’s work and process, and this project with Stephanie is a wonderful example.
PS - Stephanie also wrote “I loved Peggy’s idea to perform the work in silence - and it worked!”
"... the dance equivalent of a performance by a legendary singer...her concentrated movements, in silence, invoke a soulful music." Susan Walker, The Toronto Star
To read more about Marija Gimbutus and her book The Language of the Goddess visit The LA Times here.
