Review: Let the dancers play (by Celine Kiner)

On Story (Un)Structured by Jillian Meyers | Building individuality and choice into the choreography while also sustaining unison, technique, musicality and general togetherness is a tall order. But Meyers and the artists of LACDC accomplished both with precision and flair. -Celine Kiner, L.A. Dance Chronicle | READ FULL REVIEW

Presented by the L.A. Contemporary Dance Company, I curated this production in my role as Artistic Director and also served as the work’s Dramaturg.

Podcast: I Wanna Hold Your Band

I Wanna Hold Your Band Ep. #211

Click a link below to take a listen.
APPLE PODCASTS | SPOTIFY


“I Wanna Hold Your Band” invites you to experience the music that moves people, one story at a time. Host Paul Bartholomew interviews guests about the songs that define them, sharing their personal stories and the memories tied to the music that helped shape their life.

Episode Description: “LA Contemporary Dance Company Artistic Director Jamila Glass talks Robert Glasper, Lauryn Hill, The Temptations, Frankie Beverly & more!”

Riverside Dance Festival (Florida)

Jamila spent two weeks with L.A. Contemporary Dance Company (LACDC) in Vero Beach, Florida as the invited company for the Riverside Dance Festival. LACDC’s intensive at the Riverside Dance Festival immersed the students (ages 10-22) in the LACDC company experience where they had the opportunity to train and explore with a diverse group of teachers in an open and supportive environment, and where their uniqueness was celebrated.

Students dove into daily classes in a variety of contemporary dance styles that encouraged their versatility as a dancer and awakened their experimental spirit as an artist. Students also had the opportunity to expand upon their current training and try new techniques that challenged, strengthened and advanced their abilities as a well-rounded contemporary performer.

Jamila also worked the LACDC Artists in a creation residency, premiering a dynamic new 24-minute work called Take What You Need.

LOS ANGELES CHOREOGRAPHERS INSTITUTE: YEAR 2

Finished up an invigorating week with the second cohort of the Los Angeles Choreographers Institute, an intensive leadership development program co-created by L.A. Contemporary Dance Company’s artistic director Jamila Glass and executive director Napoleon Gladney. This program incorporates a holistic approach to the business side of dance-making. It seeks to lessen the information gap that exists for choreographers beyond movement creation with a focus on navigating leadership, collaboration, and business with authenticity.

LACDC Launches 20th Season Looking Back (by Jeff Slayton)

One of the favorites was SUMMON (2021) choreographed by Genevieve Carson and directed, written and edited by Jamila Glass. The film was rich in color, emotions and intrigue. Shot in the property adjacent to Stomping Ground L.A. referred to as “Gray Gardens” the site offers a sanctuary for women to be who and do what they wish. The Cinematography by Nathan Kim was stunning as was the score by Oscar & Emmy award-winning and Grammy-nominated Kris Bowers. -Jeff Slayton, L.A. Dance Chronicle | READ MORE

Audition Workshop at CLI Conservatory

Jamila was invited to CLI Conservatory in Massachusetts to teach an exclusive multi-day workshop aimed at preparing students for audition season. In a mock audition setting, dancers gained firsthand experience of what it's like to audition for the Los Angeles Contemporary Dance Company.

CLI is one of the leading dance training programs in the world. Bringing in over 100 working industry choreographers a year, CLI is a groundbreaking dance program designed to launch dancers' professional careers and is one of the only programs where you can get extensive commercial and concert dance training all in one place.

Their 10-month in-person curriculum focuses on what they consider the most important areas that help dancers step into their careers in less time and at less cost than traditional training programs. It was an incredible experience sharing space with the students and their joy for the art of dance was electrifying. Thank you to Riley Watts and Teddy Forance for the warm welcome.