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CHOREOGRAPHIC WORKS
 

2022 - Present

PAGOSA

Choreographer/Dancer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Music: Yann Tiersen “Stang al Laedroun»

Costume: slip

Premiere May 6, 2022, Clifford White Theater, Flagstaff, AZ (Flagstaff Rising Dance Festival)

Length: 4:31

Summary: For Summer.

 

THE YEARS

Choreographers/Dancers: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers, Gina Darlington, Jayne Lee

Music: Ludivico Einaudi “Petricor”

Premiere May 6, 2022, Clifford White Theater, Flagstaff, AZ (Flagstaff Rising Dance Festival)

Length: 6:35

Notes: Part II of a Trilogy: “Fragile” (’23), “The Years” (’22), and “On and On” (’24).

CLOUDFALL

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Dancer: Sophia Balbas

Music: Max Richter “Written on the Sky”

Costume: dress with long white scarf

Premiere July 23, 2022, Coconino Center for the Arts, Flagstaff, AZ (21 Tiny Dances to Jupiter)

Length: 1:40

Summary: Imagining walking in the clouds and being engulfed by them. 

HELIOS

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Dancer: Colibri Del Valle

Music: Pale White Moon “The Search for Helium 3”

Costume: asymmetrical leggings

Premiere July 23, 2022, Coconino Center for the Arts, Flagstaff, AZ (21 Tiny Dances to Jupiter)

Length: 2:28

Summary: If we could dance on the moon...

SAME SAME

Guest Choreographer: Nadine Geissler

Dancers: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers, Nadine Geissler

Music: Marble Machine “Wintergatan”

Costume: White pants and hooded tops

Premiere July 23, 2022, Coconino Center for the Arts, Flagstaff, AZ (21 Tiny Dances to Jupiter)

Summary: Dancers move closer and closer towards each other in an effort to fit in space.

TRAJECTORY

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Dancer: Lizzy Hanks

Music: Philip Glass “Carducci String Quartet”

Costume: Sequence

Premiere July 23, 2022, Coconino Center for the Arts, Flagstaff, AZ (21 Tiny Dances to Jupiter)

Length: 3:14

Summary: Dancer is driven by the music to launch into the dark unknown and then return to the certainty of home. 

NEVERMIND

Choreographer: Cynthia Ahlers

Dancers: Cynthia Ahlers, Luke Ahlers, Jess DeFelice, Nadine Geissler, Madilyn Marshall

Music: Jerry Goldsmith "The Crypt" (Mummy)

Premiere: October 21, 2022, Coconino High School Mini Auditorium, Flagstaff, AZ

Length: 2:25

Summary: Mummy escapes the grave, but returns back to the grave when it is discovered that Zombies have taken over.

REMEMBER

Choreographer/Dancer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Music: Rhiannon Giddens with Francesco Turrisi "Amazing Grace"

Costume: Wedding Dress

Premiere: October 21, 2022, Coconino High School Mini Auditorium, Flagstaff, AZ

Length: 3:56

Summary: A ghost arises from the grave and remembers the sweet memories of life's past.

1967

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Dancer: Madilyn Marshall

Music: “I Say a Little Prayer” (Composer: Burt Bacharach; Lyrics: Hal David; written for and performed by: Dionne Warwick)

Costume: 60s attire

Premiere: May 12, 2023, Clifford White Theater, Flagstaff, AZ

Length: 3:08

Note: This song was written to demonstrate a woman’s concern for her beloved who is serving in the Vietnam War which lasted almost 20 years. This piece is in honor of Burt Bacharach (May 12, 1928 – February 8, 2023).

FRAGILE

Choreographers/Dancers: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers, Gina Darlington, Jayne Lee

Music: Sting, Annie Lennox “Fragile”

Premiere: May 12, 2023, Clifford White Theater, Flagstaff, AZ

Length: 3:16

Notes: Part I of a Trilogy: “Fragile” (’23), “The Years” (’22), and “On and On” (’24).

RETURN

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Dancers: Natalie Jones, Madilyn Marshall, Madeline Tilley

Music: Michael Nyman “A Wild and Distant Shore”

Costume: Pedestrian

Premiere: May 12, 2023, Clifford White Theater, Flagstaff, AZ

Length: 5:52

Summary: This piece is about moving closer to each other - post-Covid. Dancers will each have a chair they will be moving closer to each other.

Note: This piece is in honor of Jennifer Muller (October 16, 1944 – March 29, 2023). 

 

DORVAL

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Dancer: Regan Foote

Music: Julie Kent “Dorval”

Costume: Pedestrian

Premiere: May 26, 2023, ArtX, Flagstaff, AZ

Length: 3:51

Summary: A little of this and that as dancer floats around the stage. 

BREATHE

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Dancer: Carrie Cobb

Music: Michael Maas “Tree of Life”

Costume: Colorful skirt and purple top

Premiere: November 17, 2023, Coconino Center for the Arts, Flagstaff, AZ

Length: 2:36

Summary: Dancer finds breath in movement and in peaceful moves. In the quiet, she finds her breath. 

ENCOUNTER

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Dancers: Mia Rogers and Madeline Tilley

Music: Max Richter “November”

Costume: Unitards

Premiere: November 17, 2023, Coconino Center for the Arts, Flagstaff, AZ

Length: 6:21

Summary: Two souls are drawn together as they move.

 

HOY

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Dancer: Emily Hall

Music: Francisco Tárrega, Giulio Tampalini “Danza mora”

Costume: Reds

Premiere: November 17, 2023, Coconino Center for the Arts, Flagstaff, AZ

Length: 1:57

Summary: Flirtatious dance.

 

YESTERDAY

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Dancer: Zhuoting Wu

Music: Dominique Charpentier “Pourquoi Pas?”

Costume: Black flowy full dress

Premiere: November 17, 2023, Coconino Center for the Arts, Flagstaff, AZ

Length: 2:02

Summary: Performer recollects the hostile encounters she had from a supposed loved one.

 

RISE UP

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Dancers: Anne Brown Buckwald, Emma Ferns, Regan Foote, Madilyn Marshall, Courtney Ray, Danika Rudd

Music: Barns Courtney “Champion”

Costumes: Gold leggings w/ race ribbon sports bras and trench coats

Premiere: May 17, 2024, Clifford White Theater, Flagstaff, AZ

Length: 3:10

Summary: Competition gets grueling when dancers line up; they race to a different standard, a higher standard. In the end, all are winners.

 

SEE ME

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Dancers: Anne Brown Buckwald, Emma Ferns, Regan Foote, Nadine Geissler, Madilyn Marshall, Courtney Ray, Danika Rudd; Understudy: Noortje Wauben

Music: Madison McFerrin “God Herself”

Costumes: beige, various

Premiere: May 17, 2024, Clifford White Theater, Flagstaff, AZ

Length: 2:32

Summary: Each female brings her own beauty from within. There is no one like her; she is irreplaceable. She’s not someone who can grow with a little sunshine and water. Her value is that of a woman, a mother, a hero, and a super-intelligent super-human.

 

AGAIN

Guest Choreographer: Nadine Geissler

Dancers: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers, Nadine Geissler

Music: Valeria Clark, Nadine Geissler

Costume Designer: Helen Locke

Premiere: May 17, 2024, Clifford White Theater, Flagstaff, AZ

Length: 2:49

Summary: We all look for happiness in this life and seeking it in external conditions results in excessiveness and dissatisfaction. Do we need to repeat this cycle…again?

 

ON AND ON

Choreographers/Dancers: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers, Gina Darlington, Jayne Lee

Music: Balanescu Quartet “Aria”

Premiere May 17, 2024, Clifford White Theater, Flagstaff, AZ (Cycles in collaboration with ArtX)

Length: 3:45

Notes: Part III of a Trilogy: “Fragile” (’23), “The Years” (’22), and “On and On” (’24).

2008 - 2020

GRACE

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Dancer: Hannah Ahlers Banuelos

Music: U2 “Grace”

Premiere: December 16, 2008, Flagstaff Athletic Club, AZ

Length: 5:31

Summary: Moving slowly on the diagonal, dancer moves skillfully and gracefully.

UNDOING

Choreographer/Dancer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Premiere: 2009, Coconino Center for the Arts, Flagstaff, AZ

Summary: Exposes the layers of life.  As the dancer discards her burdens in reverse (from present to past), she discovers she really needs them to be alive.  The layers:  professional, grief, parental, pregnant, married, single, dancer, student, and youth.  I choreographed “Un-doing,” where the solo dancer reverses her life, shedding life’s layers of anxiety, sorrow, exhaustion, humor, happiness, easiness, and passion, but then realizing those burdens are the essence of her life.

CON FLAN

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Dancer: Brita Ahlers, Tasha Hess-Neustadt, Amy Welty, Vallie Williams

Music: Ahn Trio “Con”

Premiere: December 18, 2010, Flagstaff Athletic Club, AZ

Length: 6:38

Summary: A driven technical dance.

SWAN LAKE/SLEEPING BEAUTY EXCERPTS

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Youth and Adult Dancers: Brita, Cynthia, Hannah, Luke Ahlers; Olivia Beckley Bedell; Tate Bernard; Katherine Graves; Tasha Hess-Neustadt; Tanisha Kitterman; and Taylor Vergel de Dios

Performed live with Orchestra Northern Arizona

Music:   Swan Lake Theme No. 1, Waltz No. 2, Hungarian Dance No. 5

                  Sleeping Beauty Intro, March, Waltz

Premiere: April 1, 2011, Coconino Community College, Flagstaff, AZ

Length: Evening work

Summary: Stories told in abbreviated versions.

WATER’S EDGE

Choreographers/Dancers: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers and Jayne Lee

Music: John Fahey

Premiere: May 6, 2011, Flagstaff Performance Arts Festival, Clifford E. White Theater, Flagstaff, AZ

BELLEVILLE SOIXANTE-SIX

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Dancers: Brita Ahlers and Tasha Hess-Neustadt

Music: Ben Charest “Belleville Jungle”

Costumes: Dresses

Length: 3:00 mins.

Premiere: May 4, 2012, Clifford White Theatre, Flagstaff, AZ

Summary: Jazzy duet. This is what happens in Belleville.

IN THE GARDEN

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Dancers: Brita Ahlers, Cynthia Dewell Ahlers, Olivia Beckley Bedell, Ikuko Milton, Tasha Hess-Neustadt

Music: Yann Tiersen – “La Valse D’Amelie” (Piano)

Costume: Floral dresses

Premiere: May 4, 2012, Clifford White Theatre, Flagstaff, AZ

Length: 2:39

Summary: It’s Spring! The Garden is full with nature’s delights including dancers who display their personal variety of color.

THAT AFTERNOON

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Dancer: Brita Ahlers

Music: Yann Tiersen “Comptine D’Un Autre: L’Apres Midi”

Costumes: Dress

Length: 2:21

Premiere: May 4, 2012, Clifford White Theatre, Flagstaff, AZ

Summary: Contemporary pointe solo. A girl reflects on a romantic encounter.

THE WELL

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Dancers: Brita Ahlers, Cynthia Dewell Ahlers, Sotida Arpronphalitphan, Leslie Ptak Baker, Olivia Beckley Bedell, Tasha Hess-Neustadt, Ikuko Milton, Blanca Obregòn, Randy Whitaker

Music: Johannes Möller – “Rasa-Lila,” Laura Fraticelli

Costume: Earth-colored dresses

Premiere: May 4, 2012, Clifford White Theatre, Flagstaff, AZ

Length: 8:00

Summary: A growing group of people take over the limited water supply. A desperate intruder enters to find an unattended Well.

SINISTER

Choreographer/Dancer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Music: Bela Fleck & The Flecktones “The Sinister Minister”

Premiere: May 21, 2016, Human Nature Studio, Flagstaff, AZ

Length: 4:37

Summary: Jazzy solo.

OBLIVION

Choreographer/Dancer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

The Backing Tracks “Oblivion”

Premiere: 2017, Human Nature Studio, Flagstaff, AZ

Length: 3:47

Summary: Draping, melting, oozing on and off a bench.

WOLF PEACH

Choreographers/Dancers: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers, Gina Shorten

Music: Pale White Moon “Wolf Peach”

Premiere: 2018, Human Nature Studio, Flagstaff, AZ

Length: 2:20

Summary: Two dancers supporting each other.

ART-OP

Choreographer/Dancer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Performed live with Andrea Graves, Alto Flute

Music: Claude Debussy “Syrinx”

Premiere: 2020 Front lawn, Flagstaff, AZ

Length: 2:56

Summary: Performed on front lawn during COVID. 5/9/20 Artists Responding Together with Online Presentations (due to COVID19 pandemic and social distancing 2020).

2007 - 2008

Canyon Movement Company

PASSAGE

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Dancers: Brian Agnew, Cynthia Dewell Ahlers, Rachel Donelson, Carol Hart, Amanda Kapp, Jayne Lee, Ken Ravenstar

Music: Thomas Newman

Costumes: Sapphire Studios

Premiere: May 2007, Clifford White Theatre, Flagstaff, AZ

Summary: This dance is about the consumption of disease.

FREEDOM

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Performed Live with Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra

Dancers: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers, Anna Cook, Gina Darlington, Sara Frain, Carol Hart, Amanda Kapp, Barbara Klimowski, Amanda Moore

Music: Aaron Copeland “Outdoor Overtures”

Costumes: Sapphire Studios

Premiere: July 3, 2007, Pepsi Amphitheater, Flagstaff, AZ

Length: 8:55

Summary: Using climbing ropes, bikes, kayaks, skis, and paddles, “Freedom” brings outdoor disciplines to the stage in a humorous free spirit.

WALTZ OF THE FLOWERS

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Dancers: Sara Frain with Cynthia Dewell Ahlers, Gina Darlington, Carol Hart, Kristi Long, Amanda Moore

Music: Tchaikovsky

Costumes: Floral unitards with skirts

Premiere: December 2007, Clifford White Theatre, Flagstaff, AZ

Length: 4:47

Summary: A clever fantasy brought to life in modern dance.

TRAPPED

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Dancers: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers, Gina Darlington, Sara Frain, Carol Hart, Amanda Kapp, Barbara Klimowski, Kristi Long, Melissa McMaster, Amanda Moore

Music: Maria Muldaur and Bonnie Raitt “It’s a Blessing;” Sue Foley “Mediterranean Breakfast;” Tracy Conover “Goin’ Down;” Deborah Coleman “The River Wild”

Narration: Ken Ravenstar; Grace Klondike’s voice: Ginny Brown

Originally created for the documentary "The HIStory of Women's Prisons" by Uppity Cavemen Productions. Choreographed by Cynthia Dewell Ahlers, performed and produced by Canyon Movement Company. See "Filmed Works." 

Length: 10:15

Notes: Inspired by “HIStory of Women’s Prisons - Life Without Parole,” Warren Doody’s documentary film about domestic violence and the recordings of “Convicted Survivors” by Dr. Elizabeth Leonard. Dedicated to those women whose lives have been forever impacted by domestic violence. 

Summary: About women who are imprisoned for murdering their lovers in self-defense.  It goes through the stages taken by these trapped victims:  their blessed birth, home, and unhappy marriage.  Then, it depicts the homicide, and the resulting justice and the systems trappings.

 

Quilts of Gee’s Bend Solos (2008, in order of performance)

An American Masterpiece Project using dance to reflect upon the environment, the personal relationships, the beuty and utility of quilts, and the joy that is found through making beautiful quilts in even the harshest of circumstances. Dramatization written by Ahlers with excerpts from the book, "The Quilts of Gee's Bend." Narration by Ken Ravenstar, Sarah Thomas, Sue Norris, Karel Hines. 

RAPIDS

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Dancer: Barbara Klimowski/Cynthia Ahlers

Musicians: Performed live with Tony Norris and Bill Burke

Music: “Patty on the Turnpike”

Premiere: July 14, 2008, Northern Arizona University - Studio Theater, Flagstaff, AZ

Length: :57

Summary: The river; an Ocean-like body of water was vast and wide with abrupt bends.

ISOLATION

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Dancer: Sara Frain

Musicians: Performed live with Tony Norris and Bill Burke

Music: “Innisheer”

Premiere: July 14, 2008, Northern Arizona University - Studio Theater, Flagstaff, AZ

Length: 1:00

Summary: It was a blessing to be a part of the remarkable community of the Bend; its isolation gave it autonomy.

WILDERNESS

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Dancer: Gina Darlington

Musicians: Performed live with Tony Norris and Bill Burke

Music: “Come out the Wilderness”

Premiere: July 14, 2008, Northern Arizona University - Studio Theater, Flagstaff, AZ

Length: 1:10

Summary: “My mother raised (eleven) children without a father, but God was our father, and I thank the Heavenly Father because my mother struggled.  But we made it.” (166)

BACKWARD

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Dancer: Amanda Moore

Musicians: Performed live with Tony Norris and Bill Burke

Music: “The Belle of Lexington”

Premiere: July 14, 2008, Northern Arizona University - Studio Theater, Flagstaff, AZ

Length: 1:25

Summary: With primitive accommodations, Gee’s Bend was a poor backwards community.

MUDPIE

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Dancer: Jayne Lee/Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Musicians: Performed live with Tony Norris and Bill Burke

Music: “The Belle of Lexington” (Slow)

Premiere: July 14, 2008, Northern Arizona University - Studio Theater, Flagstaff, AZ

Length: 1:09

Summary: “We’d put dirt all over you; that was playing.  That was good, throwing dirt on one another.” (152)

SUGARPIE

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Dancer: Sarah Thomas/Kristi Long

Musicians: Performed live with Tony Norris and Bill Burke

Music: “Come Back Baby”

Premiere: July 14, 2008, Northern Arizona University - Studio Theater, Flagstaff, AZ

Length: 1:25

Summary: Quilts were laid out to sit upon for a summer picnic.

VISITOR

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Dancer: Melissa McMaster/Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Musicians: Performed live with Tony Norris and Bill Burke

Music: “Make me a Palette”

Premiere: July 14, 2008, Northern Arizona University - Studio Theater, Flagstaff, AZ

Length: 1:23

Summary: “Sleep will always be made more comfortable, more luxurious, more worthy of great dreams beneath a great quilt.” (18)

SNUGGLY

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Dancer: Amanda Kapp

Musicians: Performed live with Tony Norris and Bill Burke

Music: “Deep River Blues”

Premiere: July 14, 2008, Northern Arizona University - Studio Theater, Flagstaff, AZ

Length: 1:20

Summary: Wrapping up in cozy quilts gave warmth on cool days.

CUSHY

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Dancer: Gina Darlington/Cynthia Ahlers

Musicians: Performed live with Tony Norris and Bill Burke

Music: “Jazz Walk-up”

Premiere: July 14, 2008, Northern Arizona University - Studio Theater, Flagstaff, AZ

Length: :53

Summary: Quilts softened a rocking chair giving it cushion and ease for relaxing.

IZZARD

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Dancer: Sara Frain/Carol Hart

Musicians: Performed live with Tony Norris and Bill Burke

Music: “Snowy Path”

Premiere: July 14, 2008, Northern Arizona University - Studio Theater, Flagstaff, AZ

Length: :58

Summary: The quilters deviated from order, using daring designs and clever innovations.

ORDELLA MAE

Choreographer/Dancer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Musicians: Performed live with Tony Norris and Bill Burke

Music: “Battle of Augrin”

Premiere: July 14, 2008, Northern Arizona University - Studio Theater, Flagstaff, AZ

Length: 1:13

Summary: They transformed these spaces, warming rooms and filling vacant halls with splendor.

2004 – 2008

Coconino Community College

AUJOURD-HUI

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Dancer/Texts: Amy Welty

Music: Natalie Cole "Darling Je Vous Aime Beaucoup"

Premiere: Spring 2004, Clifford White Theatre, Flagstaff, AZ

Length: 3:25

Summary: Using the dramatic talents of a ballet student, “Aujourd-hui,” depicts the boggling and tenacious array of hats one wears to get through the day.

FIFTEEN

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Dancer: Tess Ledvina

Musician: Heather Petro

Music: François Joseph Gossec “Tambourin”

Costume: Tutu

Premiere: Spring 2004, Clifford White Theatre, Flagstaff, AZ

Length: 1:22

Summary: Choreographed for a for a fifteen-year-old, this is a dance for a happy carefree spirited youth en pointe.

HUMORESQUE

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Dancers: Janelle Turner and Nicole

Music: Dvorák “Humoresque”

Premiere: Spring 2004, Clifford White Theatre, Flagstaff, AZ

Length: 3:49

Summary: Opposites attract.

LIFTED

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Dancer: Kristi Long on boxes with three other dancers

Music: Vivaldi: The Four Seasons “Winter” – 2. Largo

Premiere: Spring 2004, Clifford White Theatre, Flagstaff, AZ

Length: 2:13

Summary: Dancer doesn’t put a foot on the floor – she’s carried by two dancers from box to box that are placed on a diagonal from upstage to downstage. A fourth dancer helps with transitions.

LIGHT

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Dancer: Randy Whitaker

Premiere: Spring 2004, Clifford White Theatre, Flagstaff, AZ

Summary: Dancer uses a flashlight to light the way. The moves are sometimes in shadow with the dancer searching.

PINK

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Dancers: Gina Shorten and Asa Benally

Music: Henry Mancini

Premiere: Spring 2004, Clifford White Theatre, Flagstaff, AZ

Length: 2:37

Summary: Jazzy duet with lifts and action. Energetic and fun.

TRUTH

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Dancer: Miki

Music: Unknown “Miki”

Costume: Flowy white dress.

Premiere: Spring 2004, Clifford White Theatre, Flagstaff, AZ

Length: 1:58/2:12

Summary: Contemporary pointe solo executed with ease and serenity. Sometimes we cannot see the truth even when it stares us in the face. 

 

BELLES

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Dancer: Julie Holmes, Sara Marks, Amy Welty, with Jennifer Armenia

Music: Ben Charest “Under the Bridge,” and “Jazzy Bach” (The Triplets of Belleville)

Audio Editor: Courtney Connell

Premiere: Spring 2005, Clifford White Theatre, Flagstaff, AZ

Length: 3:00

Summary: Viewers engage in the performers’ perception of time and the embodiment of that space.

JIG

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Dancer: Leah Cornelius, Patricia Krejcik, Tess Ledvina

Music: Traditional Celtic Music Arranged by “téada”

Audio Editor: Courtney Connell

Premiere: Spring 2005, Clifford White Theatre, Flagstaff, AZ

Length: 3:50

Summary: Bright dance for 3 dancers on pointe. Irish jig-like.

PORTRAIT

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Dancers: Gina Shorten (soloist), Lindy Tannenbaum (Hope), Monica Santos (Youth), Amy Welty (Protector), Christina Hammerle (Betrayer), Carrie Drew (Passion), Kristi Long (Strength), Cady Mier (Fear), Patricia Krejcik (Peace)

Musician: Performed live with Matthew Cook (cellist); and Stephanie Galloway (piano)

Music: Serge Rachmaninoff “Sonata in G Minor `Lento, Op. 19”

Costumes: Pam Wilkinson

Premiere: Spring 2005, Clifford White Theatre, Flagstaff, AZ

Length: 10:04

Summary: The dancer awakens to tell her story with the help of other dancers as she faces her soul’s youth, hope, protection, betrayal, passion, strength, fear, and peace.  Each component is the essence of her life.

P-U-C-K!

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Players: Carrie Drew, Christina Hammerle, Cady Mier, Erin-Kate Murphy, Kirstin Nilson, Heather Petro, Monica Santos, Gina Shorten, Lindy Tannenbaum, Amy Welty

Figure Skater: Tess Ledvina

Referee/Vendor: Steve Bernard

Music: Sergey Prokofiev “The Battle on the Ice,” Emil Waldteufel “The Skaters’ Waltz”

Audio Editor: Courtney Connell

Costumes: provided by Flagstaff Youth Hockey Association

Premiere: Spring 2005, Clifford White Theatre, Flagstaff, AZ

Length: 4:00

Summary: Hockey players and a figure skater humorously battle on the ice.

RED/REDDER

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Dancer: Olivia Beckley Bedell, Jessica Diaz, Tess Ledvina, Kristi Long, Gina Shorten, Niki Steffen, Sarah Thomas

Music: RED - Tito Puente “Machito Forever,” INTERLUDE - Wilbur Hatch & Orchestra “I Love Lucy,” REDDER - Eddy Manson “Night Beat”

Costume: Pam Wilkinson and Ahlers, Firemen equipment courtesy of Ecological Restoration Institute, Red Riding Hood cape from Coconino High School

Photography: Brian Klimowski

Premiere: March 9, 2007, Clifford White Theatre, Flagstaff, AZ

Length: 9:00 plus interlude

Summary: Inspired by the meaning behind the color – no other color embodies so many possible implications.  Its vibrancy unfolds in the dangers and passions it represents.  Fast tail lights, a bloody killer, a red tape finish, a 4-way stop, a siren, a fire truck, and a train crossing give definition to the meaning behind the word “Red.”  Apples-the edible (but, sometimes poisonous) red.  The dashing red cape that has become a legendary symbol.  There are famous redheads, bloody red noses, rosy red cheeks, and irresistible red lips.  Finally, a red valentine and a bouquet of red roses are the ultimate gestures of love. In total, it’s about  the powerful allure of the color red and the character and emotion it brings to the visual spectrum.

VOICES

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Dancers/Texts: Kristi Long, Kirsten Nelson, Gina Shorten, Niki Steffen, Sarah Thomas, Cori Wall

Premiere: Spring 2008, Clifford White Theatre, Flagstaff, AZ

Summary: Captures individual movements through unique voice representation:  speaking, individual, conversational, and the unspoken.

1982 - 1998

ANGEL’S FLIGHT

Choreographer/Dancer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Music: Shadofax “Angel’s Flight”

Premiere: September 12, 1987, Polish National Home, Glen Cove, NY

Length: 4:05

Summary: For Lenny and Lisa Pinna. Soft, pleasant dance.

IT HAS BEEN A YEAR

Choreographer/Dancer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Musician: Performed Live with Mary Kay Little, Soprano; Warren Helms, Piano

Music: Lili Boulanger “Demain fera un an”

Premiere: April 25, 1989, John C. Borden Auditorium, NYC

Summary: Collaboration with soprano and pianist. Dramatic and dark.

LIVE AT THE LAKE

Choreographers/Dancers: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers, Tamara Sheinkman

Premiere: 1990, NJ

Summary: A good vs evil dance.

CHENAL

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Dancers: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers, Carrie Schonberg, Roxanna Young, Maria Posey, Christian Claessens, Charles Anderson, Le Grande Ahlers

Music: André Breton

Premiere: March 4, 1994, Tarrytown Music Hall, NY

Summary: Romance, passion, and friendships.

FAST FUN

Choreographer: Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Music: Khachaturian, Grieg, Tchaikovsky

Youth and Adult dancers: Jacob, Hannah, Brita, and Cynthia Ahlers; Jaclyn Barzvi; Anne Brenner; Kansas, Griffin, and Lois Cruise; Alexis, Christian, Luke, and Michele Polito; Molly and Delfina Roybal-Goch; Chloe Schaaf

Premiere: December 5, 1998, Dancespace Project at St. Mark’s Church in the Bowery, NYC

Summary: Youth dancers with adults – some parents.

Notes: The Remember Project ’98, A 12-hour Dance Celebration Benefiting the non-profit organization, Dancers Responding to AIDS.

REGISTER/CONTACT

Ahlers Dance

CynthiaAhlers@gmail.com

928-607-6226

Flagstaff, AZ

© 2016 by Ahlers. Created with Wix.com

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