|
Michèle
Moss-
mmoss@ucalgary.ca
Dancer,
Choreographer, Educator, Lecturer
Resume
Professional
Qualifications
Versatile and dynamic
performer, nationally and internationally
Diverse background in dance,
theatre and musical forms
Ongoing and extensive
national/ international research
Proven choreographer
Excellent teacher
EDUCATION
1984 University of Calgary
-
BACHELOR OF EDUCATION: Elementary/ French - Dance Minor
Courses Extra to Degree: Special Education, Religious Studies
Field Research/Travel: New York ,Paris, Berlin, Los Angeles,
West Africa, India, Cuba, Japan, Jamaica, Hawaii
WORK EXPERIENCE
Presently February 2004
Teaching: Faculty University of Calgary B.A Dance Program
Artistic Director: Dancers’ Studio West
Co – founder /choreographer Decidedly Jazz Danceworks
Jazz and West African dance specialist
(As well Afro-modern,Horton technique, Afro-Funk)
Mother to Odessa Johnston Nov. 17,1995
Choreographer, mentor
1984 to 2004
Decidedly Jazz Danceworks (Artistic Director, Vicki Adams Willis)
Co- founder, Associate Artistic Director,
Associate Choreographer,
Principal of Community Dance School,
Principle Dancer.
TEACHING
See Teaching (Addendum #2) for details
1984 TO 1999
Principal of the Decidedly Jazz Dance Community School:
Enrollment of 800 students, adults, teens, children
(Jazz-based with other forms such as: Ballet, Modern, African, Yoga
and Tap)
Program the year round schedule including summer program
Responsible for the school syllabus/curriculum for children, teens
and adults,
teacher evaluations and
pedagogy
1995 – present (Sessional to Term Certain Appointment)
Instructor: University of Calgary
Teacher of Jazz, African Dance, Creative Dance, Ballet, and
Modern:
To children and adults in private studios, universities and in
public schools
throughout Alberta, in other regions of Canada and internationally
PERFORMANCE
See Performance (Addendum #3) for details
1984 to 1998
Decidedly Jazz Danceworks
Danced in all performances of Decidedly Jazz Danceworks from
inaugural
1984 performance until partial maternity leave (1995-1997)
The company performs two concerts annually, school tours, special
functions,
and national and international tours
CHOREOGRAPHY
See Choreography (Addendum #4) for details
Choreographed in excess of 40 works
Choreographed for Professionals /Students/Children/ Theatre
Combines the richness of her experience as a highly trained
dancer with her commitment to living life as a compassionate being.
Passionate about jazz and its many traditions. Passionate about
dance and moved
by global traditions. Researched the roots of Jazz and explored its
many expressions,
past and present, she has helped to create an awareness of, and
encouraged respect
for the rich history and spirit of jazz. She continues to create
allowing all of her
experiences from Graham technique to Tap to world travel to Yoga to
mothering to influence her work.
Recent
work
“Dance is Strong Magic” Premiere
Calgary DSW Explosions 2003
“Musical Chairs”**
DJD Premiere Calgary
January 2003
“In the Cracks” and “Disentrainment”
** DJD
Premiere
Perched on the Edge of a Quarter Note Calgary
June 2002
THEATRE
Works with theatre groups as a choreographer and as an actor
Choreographer:
Theatre
Calgary “Romeo and Juliet” (calgary
2001)
Actor:
One
Yellow Rabbit
“Serpent Kills” (1992 Edinburgh Fringe
Festival, Scotland)
Festival des 20 jours
de Théatre à Risque,
Montreal, PQ)
“Dance Freak” (1993,
Calgary, Alberta)
TRAINING
See Training (Addendum #5) for details
1984 to present
Ongoing study of dance, music and performance under the tutelage of
well known,
internationally respected instructors. Matt Mattox 2002, Daniel
Nagrin 2003
Ongoing study of forms: Jazz, Modern, Ballet, Improvisation, Contact
Improvisation,
Tap, Street Dance, Funk, Hip Hop, Flamenco, Tai Chi, Classical
Indian Dance,
African Dance, African Drum, Choreography, Yoga, Music, Percussion,
and Theatre
Field Study Cuba and West Africa 98/99/00 USA 1981, 1989-1994,
1996-2002
GRANTS
/ AWARDS
Have received on going support from Alberta Agencies since
1984.
Have received Canada Council support. Received nomination for
Teaching Excellence Award 1999 University of Calgary
2002-?
2001 Research Opportunities Abound $3000 AHSF
2000?
1999 In lieu of Sabbatical $3500 Heritage Scholarship Fund
1998? Canada Council Africa Field Study $5000
1997 Canada/US Inspiration Tour $5,229AB Foundation for the Arts
1996 Canada council dance immersion tour $3150
Reviews
Locker-Slammin, Navel Gazin’ and Random Leaps of Faith:
“The performance is exciting and compelling with dance members
leaping from 12-foot ladders and engaging in a combination
boot-stomp and body percussion routine which leaves the audience
mesmerized.” The Regional, Okotoks, Alberta February 1996
“The show's most deliriously
effective segment is still to come: the drum fuelled frenzy of West
African-Haitian-Brazilian-Cuban possession dances, where the
excellence of Michele Moss's complex choreography - spasmodic
ecstatic, fevered, drunken, snake bitten - is equalled by the
dancers trance-like spinning, arm flailing and head lolling.” Calgary Herald June 1994
“Moss's
solo piece, the African based Fear
is the Horseman, took her much further towards personal
expression and demonstrated (as did the whole evening) that the
short, squarely built dancer is the troupe's best actress; it's best
conveyor of mood through facial
expression and gesture.” Calgary
Herald, October 1993
Sanguinary
Thirst: “A modern day obsession...Through pithy, imaginative
movement Moss explores not just the
usual blood-sucking myth, but the essential sexual
angle..Moss(instead) presents a work that's fresh and surprisingly
invigorating.” Calgary Herald, March 1992
“Michele
Moss's strength and expressiveness are riveting.”
Dance
Connection February/March 1992
“Moss's
brilliant solo feature on a Monk medley made full use of the nutty
swinging angularity of his music, bringing a detailed precision to
off balance moves. ...with especially striking contributions from
(Hayne)and Moss.”
Edmonton
Journal November
1991
“...but
none more so than Moss, ...she make
Balanced On A Mic's Edge superb.
With coy, angry kicks and smiles she dominated a talented
cast.”
The
Weal, Calgary November 1990
“Michele
Moss...stole the show with her funky get-down movement in the big
band sound of Big Noise From
Winetka. Her movement incorporates a melange of jazz based
dancing, from African to the Charleston.
She mixes it up and shakes it around with a charm and wit
that is truly delightful.”Alberta
Dance Connection September/October
1990
“Co-founders
and principal dancers Michele Moss
and Hannah Stilwell ...led the company through its paces.
Moss with her inward, explosive style...(was) the spark and fire in the night. They were hot,
cool, loose and always perfectly to the point.” (Reprinted review) Dance In Canada Magazine Fall 1989
“Within
the ranks of the company (Michele) is a strong choreographic
talent...an explosive character dancer.”
Edmonton
Sun November 1988
“Divine
Mother Adorned is a shimmering dance.”
Calgary Herald April 1988
“One
of the high points of the evening had to be the sublime Divine
Mother Adorned, a
marvelous composition...and featuring a brilliantly funny
performance by Michele Moss.” Mount
Royal College Reflector, Calgary November 1988
WORK
EXPERIENCE (Addendum #1)
1994
–Present
University of Calgary
Limited
term appointment in B.A Dance program (Instructor) teaching jazz
technique,
repertory and pedagogy courses (Sessional 1994-1999)
2000-
Present Artistic Director
Dancers’ Studio West (DSW)
Community studio theatre and centre for presentation and education
in
dance
1991
- 1999
Associate Artistic
Director
Decidedly Jazz Danceworks
Artistic Director: Vicki Adams Willis
1989-
Present
Associate Choreographer
Decidedly Jazz Danceworks
Artistic Director: Vicki Adams Willis
1990 -1999
Principal of Decidedly
Jazz Danceworks Community Dance
School
Decidedly Jazz Danceworks Community School
1984 - 1997
Dancer
Decidedly Jazz Danceworks Company
Artistic Director: Vicki Adams Willis
1984 - 1985 French Immersion Kindergarten Teacher
Springbank, Alberta
1982
- 1984
Part Time Child Care Worker
Society for the Treatment of Autism
Calgary, Alberta
1981-
PRESENT Calgary Community dance teacher
TEACHING
(Addendum #2)
Currently
University of Calgary
Faculty of Kinesiology & Faculty of Fine Arts, B.A Dance
Jazz dance technique
classes- Junior, Intermediate and senior level, special topics: Afro
– Worldbeat and Pedagogy, Introduction to Dance.
Decidedly Jazz Community School, Calgary
Jazz and African Dance
Adults, Teens and Youngsters
(includes summer Intensive)
Previous/ongoing
Master Classes, Local, National and International
Performance
(Addendum #3)
Independent
(recent)
“Dance is Strong Magic”
Calgary
DSW Alberta Dance Explosions (Choreographic festival) February 2003
“Radio headed”
One Yellow Rabbit,
January 2000
Hearts Voice /minds choice
University of Calgary,
June 1999
“Fierce Desire”
Springboard
Dance Collective, Collaboration with Jazz Poet Sheri d Wilson, March
1998
1984
- 1998
Decidedly
Jazz Danceworks
Artistic
Director: Vicki Adams Willis
“Optic Verve”
Premiere: Calgary
(October 1998)
“Feet First”
Excerpt: Dance
Immersion Festival, Toronto (February 1996)
“No Small Feets”
Excerpts: Japan Tour (August 1995)
“Rhythm
Addiction”
Premiere: Calgary
(June 1994)
“Two Way Stretch”
Premiere: Calgary
(January 1994)
“Unplugged”
Premiere: Calgary
(October 1993)
“No Small Feets”
Premiere: Calgary
(June 1992)
“Jazzmanian
Crossroads”
Remount: September 1992
Tour: Newfoundland, Labrador, Nova Scotia and Alberta
“No Small Feets”
Premiere Calgary (June 1992)
“Jazzmanian Crossroads”
Premiere: St Albert, Alberta (November 1991)
Tour: Alberta Community Tour
“Rockin' In Rhythm”
Remount: February 1991
Tour: British Columbia Community Tour
“Time Pieces”
Premiere: Calgary (November 1990)
“Summer Songs”
Featuring Diane Miller
and the Bob Erlendson Septet
Premiere: Calgary (June 1990)
Tour: Montreal Jazz Festival
“Fast Forward”
Premiere: Calgary (November 1989)
Tour: Alberta Community Tour
“On EdJE”
Featuring the Edmonton Jazz Ensemble
Premiere: Calgary (June 1989)
Tour: Edmonton and Vancouver Jazz Festivals
“Fifth Anniversary”
Premiere: Calgary (November 1988)
“Dancers and Other Musical Instruments”
Featuring Diane Miller and the Jimmy Chew Jazz Sextet
Premiere: Calgary (June 1988)
“Peripheral Visions”
Premiere: Calgary (October 1987)
“Rockin' In Rhythm”
Premiere: Calgary (September 1986)
Tour: Calgary Jazz Festival, Expo '86, and Alberta Community
Tour
“It's About Time”
Premiered in Calgary (September 1985)
“Body and Soul”
Premiere: Calgary (September 1984)
Besides
performances mentioned above, Decidedly Jazz Danceworks has been
engaged for many and varied productions including community school
tours, major sponsor presentations, civic fundraising benefits,
celebrations and television /film productions.
Other
Performance Experience
“Telus”
Television Commercial
(Fall 1997)
“Dance Freak”
Premiere: Secret
Theatre (October 1993)
One Yellow Rabbit Production
Director: Blake Brooker / Choreographer: Denise Clarke
“The DSW Company" (1981/82)
Graham based Modern Dance
Artistic Director:
Elaine Bowman
Choreography
(Addendum #4)
see
other attachment for more recent work 2004
“Willy Nilly
Entr’act”
Remount on EKO Dance ( formerly Youth Dance Unlimited)
April 2003 15 min.
“Dance is Strong
Magic”
Premiere Calgary, DSW Explosions 2003 - 3 min.
“Musical Chairs”**
DJD Premiere Loungewear
Calgary January 2003 9 min.
Self-accompanied, stools
as doundouns and Leon Parker
“In
the Cracks” and “Disentrainment” ** Decidedly Jazz Danceworks Premiere
Perched on the Edge of a Quarter Note Calgary
June 2002 8 min. And 3 min
Original Music by
Kristian Alexandrov
“Willy
Nilly Entr’act”**
Premiere Calgary: Mainstage 2002 19min. Music:various
“Fear is the Horseman” Dancers’
Studio West and One Yellow Rabbit
co-production All
Fours at the Secret Theatre -
October 2001at the Secret Theatre,
19
min.
Mickey Hart and Shuggie
Otis
Remount January 2003
Toronto Harbour Front / du Maurier Theatre
danceImmersion Explosions
2003 Choreography Festival Calgary February 2003
“Sometimes I’m happy…..Sometimes I’m not.”
Premiere Calgary: Calgary
Mainstage 2001 18 min. Oscar Peterson, Mombassa
“29 Ways” and
“All the time” Premiere:Clagary
DJD 2001 “Longings…
Total length 5min.
“Landslide”
Premiere:Calgary
“Evanesence” DJD June 2000 Original Score : Kristian Alexandrov
10 minutes
“The Eleventh
Hour” Premier:Calgary Mainstage U of C March 2000
20 min. Music:Afrocelt
Sound System/Cassius/Ya Kid K
“Hearts voice/Minds
Choice Premiere: Calgary
Summerdance U of C June 1999
18 min. Music:
"Flocks,
Beavies , knots and schools" Premiere: Calgary Mainstage U of C
March 1999
Music:Water drumming/
“Divine Mother
Adorned in Compassion Premiere: Calgary
Summerdance U of C June 1998 Music:
" Global Vibe"
Premiere: Calgary
(November 1998) An elementary School Show (50 minutes)
Celebration of Jazz and other cultural dances
“A bear of
considerable brain” Premiere: Calgary(
April 1998) Youth Dance Unlimited
Taj
Mahal, Ballets
Africains de Guinee
“House Party”
Premiere: Calgary
(March 1998) University of Calgary, Programme of Dance
“Stream”
Premiere : Calgary
(October 1997) Optic Verve
“Hands, Feet
& Six Shooters Too” Premiere: Calgary
(March 1997) outh Dance Unlimited
“Utungun Percussion” (7 minutes)
“Zoots”
and 4 “Jazz Walks” : “Prince”, “Cuban”, “Super Hero 1”, “Super
Hero **
Premiere: Calgary
(November 1996) Decidedly Jazz Danceworks I. Berlin; G. Gershwin; F.
Waller sung by Ella FitzGerald;
Cyro Baptista and Larry Fratangelo; Prince (Total 20 minutes)
“Hidden Rhythms,
Silent Riffs” **
Featuring original
score by Ravi Poliah Premiere: Calgary
(February 1996) Decidedly Jazz Danceworks (10 minutes)
Eight Varied Sections **
Featuring vocalist Mark Murphy and the Tommy Banks Sextet
Premiere: Calgary (June 1995)
Decidedly Jazz Danceworks
(Total 30 minutes)
“Woman is
Strength” Premiere: Calgary
(June 1995) University of Calgary Summer Dance
Intensive Cassandra Wilson (10 minutes)
“Body Talks/El
Cuerpo Hablo” Premiere: Calgary
(April 1995) Youth Dance Unlimited
Zap Mama (6 minutes)
“Inferno,
Pergatorio,...” Premiere: Calgary (February 1995)
Dancers’ Studio West (22 minutes)
“Chairs”,
“Stomp”, Finale Featuring original rap by Ravi Poliah
remiere: Calgary (November
1994) Decidedly Jazz Danceworks
“The Heart Beats
Ecstatic” Featuring original score by Ravi Poliah, Dewi Wood
Premiere:
Calgary (June 1994) Decidedly Jazz Danceworks (20 minutes)
“Natural Enemies
- Future Friends” Premiere: Calgary (December 1992)
Youth Dance
Unlimited Nat King Cole (6 minutes)
“Bantaba” Premiere: Calgary (September
1992) Decidedly Jazz Danceworks
Zaka Percussion
(6 minutes)
“Wildgarden”
Premiere: Calgary (April 1992)
Youth Dance Unlimited
“Sanguinary
Thirst” Premiere: Dancers Studio West (March 1992)
Alberta Dance Explosions
Festival 20 min.
“School Daze”
Co-Director\Co-Choreographer: 1991 Spring production
Youth Dance
Unlimited, Calgary
“Africa”
Premiere: Calgary (January 1991) Decidedly Jazz Danceworks School Tour
“Tangerine Dream” Premiere: Calgary (November 1990) Decidedly Jazz Danceworks
Repertoire
"Soulmates”
Premiere: Calgary (February 1990) Dancers Studio West Dance Explosion
(Calgary)
“James”
Premiere: Calgary (March 1990)
Decidedly Jazz Danceworks School Tour Repertoire
“Uruz”
Premiere: Calgary (March 1989)
Mainstage: Faculty
of Fine Art, Programme of Dance
University of Calgary
“Divine Mother Adorned” Premiere: Calgary (February 1987)
Dancers Studio West Dance
Explosion
“Consciousness (Up) Rising”
Premiere: Calgary (February 1986) Dancers Studio West
Dance Explosion
Research
Contributions Over the Last Six Years
Literary
and Artistic Works
B.
Other refereed
Moss,
Michèle (choreographer) commissioned
2003
Willy
Nilly Entr’act (choreographic
work). remount EKO
Dance (Youth Dance Unlimited) (performers); 15 minutes.
Premiere performance, set on students of the University of
Calgary BA Dance program 2002 Calgary, Alberta.
April 2003.
Moss,
Michèle (choreographer)
2003
Dance
is strong Magic/Fear is the Horseman (choreographic work). Michèle Moss, Alanna K.Jones
(performers); 23 minutes. , Dancers’ Studio West, Calgary,
Alberta, February 2003.
Moss,
Michèle (choreographer) commissioned
2003
Musical
Chairs
(choreographic work). Decidedly Jazz Danceworks (performers);
10 minutes.
Premiere
performance, Martha Cohen, January, 2003.
Moss,
Michèle (choreographer) commissioned
2003
Fear is the Horseman (choreographic
work). Alanna K. Jones (performer); 20
minutes.Toronto
Harbourfront/ duMaurier Theatre , Toronto , Ontario January 2003
Moss,
Michèle (choreographer) commissioned
2002 In
the Cracks (choreographic work).
Decidedly
Jazz Danceworks (performers); 10 minutes.
BA
Dance Professional series, University Theatre Martha Cohen,
September, 2002
Moss,
Michèle (choreographer) commissioned
2002
In
the Cracks/Disentrainment
(choreographic work). Decidedly Jazz
Danceworks(performers);
11 minutes. Premiere performance, Martha Cohen, Calgary, Alberta
June, 2002
Moss,
Michèle (choreographer) Invitation
2002
In
the Cracks/Disentrainment
(choreographic work). Decidedly Jazz
Danceworks(performer),
Dancers for Life Benefit Concert Invitation.Victoria, British
Columbia
Moss,
Michèle (choreographer) commissioned
2002
Willy
Nilly Entr’act ( choreographic
work). BA Dance students (performers); 19 minutes.
Premiere performance, University Theatre , Calgary, Alberta.
March 2003.
Moss,
Michèle (choreographer) commissioned
2001
Fear
is the Horseman (choreographic
work). Alanna K. Jones , Christie Prestion (performers); 19 minutes.
Premiere performance, Secret Theatre, Calgary, Alberta.
2001
Moss,
Michèle (choreographer) commissioned
2001
Romeo
and Juliet (choreographic
work). Theatre Calgary (performers); 5 minutes.
Premier performance, Theatre Calgary, Calgary, Alberta.
2001
Moss,
Michèle (choreographer) commissioned
2001
Sometimes
I’m Happy … Sometimes I’m not (
choreographic work). BA Dance students
(performers);
18minutes, Premiere performance University Theatre, March 2001
Moss,
Michèle (choreographer) commissioned
2001
29
ways/All the time (choreographic
work). Decidedly Jazz
Danceworks
(performers); 5 minutes. Premiere performance, Martha Cohen,
Calgary, Alberta June, 2001 Toured Winnipeg, Edmonton, Banff
Moss,
Michèle (choreographer) commissioned
2000
Landslide (choreographic
work). Decidedly Jazz Danceworks (performers); 10 minutes.
Premiere
performance, Martha Cohen, Calgary, Alberta June, 2000
Moss,
Michèle (choreographer) commissioned
2000
The
eleventh Hour (
choreographic work). BA Dance
students (performers); 20 minutes.
Premiere performance,
University Theatre, Calgary, Alberta. March 2000.
Moss,
Michèle (choreographer) commissioned
1999
Hearts
voice/Minds Choice ( choreographic
work). BA Dance students (performers);
18
minutes. Premiere performance, University Theatre, Calgary, Alberta.
June 1999
Moss,
Michèle (choreographer) commissioned
1999
Flocks,
Beavies, Knots and Schools (
choreographic work). BA Dance
students
(performers);
20 minutes. Premiere performance, University Theatre, Calgary,
Alberta. March 1999.
Moss, Michèle (performer)
Commission
1998 Fierce Desire (performer and
co-choroegrapher)
Springboard
Dance Collective, Collaboration with Jazz Poet Sheri d Wilson,
Martha Cohen, March 1998
Moss,
Michèle (choreographer) commissioned
1998
Global
Vibe (
choreographic work). Decidedly
Jazz Danceworks (performers); 50 minutes. Premiere performance, Jack
Singer, Calgary, Alberta. Novemeber 1998 . Followed by 1999 school
show tour Calgary, Alberta
PERFORMANCES
Moss,
Michèle (choreographer and performer)
2003 Dance is
strong Magic/Fear is the Horseman
(dance work). Michèle Moss, Alanna
K.
Jones (performers); 23 minutes. , Dancers’ Studio West, Calgary ,
Alberta, February 2003.
Moss,
Michèle (performer)
2000 Radio
headed (Dance
Theatre performer) Invitation
One
Yellow Rabbit,/Denise Clarke: choreographer January 2000
Moss, Michèle (performer)
Commission/invitation
1998 Fierce Desire (performer and
co-choroegrapher)
Springboard
Dance Collective, Collaboration with Jazz Poet Sheri d Wilson,
Martha Cohen, March 1998
Moss,
Michèle (performer)
1998
Optic
Verve (dance)
Premiere: Calgary (October 1998)
Decidedly
Jazz Dancework.Artistic Director: Vicki Adams Willis
Associate
Artistic Directors: Michele Moss , Hannah Stilwell
Moss, Michèle (performer) audition
Moss,
Michèle, Conference Proceedings Publication
1999
CORD
(Congress on research in dance) Conference October 26-28, 2001 Transmigratory
Moves: Dance in Global Circulation . New York University. New
York, New York, USA Where the African Diaspora and Western Canada
meet: A Case Study of Decidedly Jazz Danceworks
Moss,
Michèle, Conference Paper
2000 Interdisciplinarity Conference May 2001Paradigms Lost, paradigms Gained Calgary, Alberta, Canada
The function of movement in an interdisciplinary model: Teaching and
learning through the arts.
back
to Michele
|