Alban Elved Dance Company
ALBAN ELVED DANCE COMPANY pursues the creation and presentation of innovative, multi-dimensional, original, and intellectually stimulating art experiences to fulfill some of humanities most fundamental needs: meaningful emotional & intellectual exchange and growth, creativity, and freedom.
Twyla Tharp (2014)
Twyla Tharp founded her own dance company, Twyla Tharp Dance, in 1965. She has since choreographed more than 150 works: 129 dances, 12 television specials, five Hollywood movies, four full-length ballets, four Broadway shows, and two figure skating routines. Tharp is the recipient of a Tony Award, two Emmy Awards, 19 honorary doctorates, and a 2008 Kennedy Center Honor. In addition to choreographing for her own company, she has created dances for companies worldwide.
Jason Aryeh (2013)
Jason Aryeh is an Assistant Professor of Dance, choreographer, and artist scholar. Aryeh has worked with numerous artists in developing movements of infusion into choreography, He has won many awards, including the prestigious student award at the ongoing American Dance Festival (ADF) as a Faculty Assistant. Aryeh is the artistic director and choreographer for African Alive Dance Company and holds a BFA in Dance and African Studies from the University of Ghana, and an MFA in Choreography and Performance from the State University of New York, College at Brockport.
Ursula Kendall (2013)
Ursula Kendall was born in Atlanta, GA, and captivated the audience of her peers and teachers as a graduating student of Tri-Cities High School Turner Visual and Performing Arts Magnet Honoree. She landed a partial scholarship for the summer intensive program at The Alvin Ailey School. Ursula has danced for the Dillard Diamonds dance team, where she choreographed some of their featured pieces that were aired on BET’s 106th and Park.
Bill T. Jones (2012)
Bill T. Jones is a multi-talented artist, choreographer, dancer, theater director, and writer. He has received major honors, ranging from a 1994 MacArthur “Genius” Award to a Kennedy Center Honors in 2010. His ventures into Broadway theater resulted in a 2010 Tony Award for Best Choreography in the critically acclaimed Fela! He also earned a 2007 Tony Award for Best Choreography in Spring Awakening, as well as an Obie Award for the show’s 2006 off-Broadway run. His choreography for the off-Broadway production of The Seven earned him a 2006 Lucille Lortel Award.
Melissa Pihos (2012-2013)
Melissa Pihos graduated from UNC Greensboro with an MFA in Choreography, where she createdPIHOS: A Moving Biography – a documentary dance/film performance that focuses on her father’s fight with Alzheimer’s disease and various aspects of his life. She currently dances for The Jan Van Dyke Dance Group and for Sidelong Dance Company. Her choreography is described as being complicated, gripping, evocative, moving and captivating. She often uses multimedia technology in her work, which adds a layer to the viewer’s visual experience.
Renay Aumiller (2011)
Renay Aumiller has presented her dance works across the United States and in the Triangle/Triad areas of North Carolina as the Founder/Artistic Director of Renay Aumiller Dances (RAD). She dances with The Kearns Dance Project, and has performed for numerous choreographers and companies including Renée Wadleigh, Christian Von Howard, and Chicago-based contemporary companies, The Dance Team and Thread Meddle Outfit. She teaches regularly at the Samuel H. Scripps ADF Studios in Durham, NC and is an assistant professor of Dance at Elon University.