New Interview with DancerMusic.com

Photo by Quinn Wharton

Photo by Quinn Wharton

"Forward and Interview by DancerMusic’s Kristi Licera:

When I was in college, the announcement board outside of the dance studios was covered in audition flyers for companies all over the country and beyond. Like many college students, I envisioned myself as part of a renowned dance ensemble, busily creating new works and touring around the globe. The vision I had of myself was so clear that I did not take much time to think of another, incredibly viable career alternative: being a freelance artist. While freelancing may not provide the stability that a full-time company can, it has a world of benefits all its own that many professional dancers will experience at some point in their career. For dance artist Brandon Coleman, the transition from full-time company dancer to freelance artist also came with a change of environment – a move from Chicago to New York City. I caught up with Brandon as he and fellow former Visceral Dance Chicago dancer Owen Scarlett toured the states on a self-booked teaching tour. Read on to learn more about Brandon’s journey and how some big changes have ignited a new chapter in his career:"

Check out the rest of the Interview HERE

 

 

Performing with the Cambrians!

Over the past four months, I've been commuting between Chicago and NYC and working with two incredible companies. Next week, I'll be performing in a self choreographed preshow solo for "Chicago Dances," presented by The Cambrians. While working with this company, I've been covering pieces by Shannon Alvis, Kevin Iega Jeff, and Ahmad Simmons. I've had to learn each dancers track and stand in for them in a few times during the rehearsal process. It's definitely been a challenge but I'm excited to be a part of this show.

Head to thecambrians.com for ticket info and show times!

Photo by Ben Wardell

Photo by Ben Wardell

Winter 2018 US Teaching Tour

My friend (as well as Founder/Owner of Owen Scarlett Productions) is moving to Los Angeles in January and asked me to tag along on the cross country road trip. As a part of that road trip I will be teaching a series of classes in each city we pass through Starting in Pittsburgh and ending in Los Angeles. 9 cities in 20 days! Along the way we will also be making a short documentary about our travels and the people we meet along the way. Excited for the new adventure.

Winter US teaching tour Finals.jpg

Launching BACKtrackDANCE!

The end of 2017 is VERY exciting for me... for the past month I've been working on a new video series I'm calling BACKtrackDANCE. Basically its 9 short videos (all around 2minutes or less) that have all been reversed and set to music. The project has taken some planning and scheduling but the actual choreographing/structuring and editing all takes under and hour to put together. However, this project has cost me a couple $$, some MTA passes, a couple slices of pizza, a bedframe, one rain poncho, and 9 songs on iTunes. However, Ive really enjoyed working with my friends and colleagues on this project. Each video will premier on consecutive Wednesday nights between November 1 and December 27th, Look out for them!!

From the BACKtrackDANCE promo. The nine NYC/Chicago based soloist that will be featured from November 1 to December 27.

From the BACKtrackDANCE promo. The nine NYC/Chicago based soloist that will be featured from November 1 to December 27.

Living in Two Cities

Photo by Isaac Aoki

Photo by Isaac Aoki

Since Houston, I've been traveling pretty regularly between NYC and Chicago. I became an apprentice with a project based company in Chicago called the Cambrians and continued to rehearse with Keigwin in NYC. Its been great working in Chicago because there are a handful of choreographers who the Cambrians are working with this season that I didn't get the opportunity to work with while I lived in Chicago. I also reconnected with Alberto Arias and the drag circuit while I was in town which I have really been missing. I'm not back in NYC for the next month and working on getting more established here but before I left Chicago, I worked with Brendan Fernandes again for his work Art by SnapChat at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago. Ill be in NYC until November 17 and then I am heading back to Chicago for another process with the Cambrians. Living on air mattresses and out of small duffle bags isn't my idea of glamorous but I'm excited about the work I get to right now. I feel like I'm right where I need to be.

Hello for Lake Placid, New York!

About to finish up my first week with Keigwin +Co in upstate NY. We are currently in the process of creating two new works and restaging three existing works for our tour in 2018. One of the works we are creating is a duet between Kacie Boblitt (another UA grad and Becky's Academy of Dance Alumni) and myself. This dance world is so small! Posting MANY picture and video updates on my Instagram (@_BrandonColeman). Check it out!

Photo courtesy of Keigwin + Co

Photo courtesy of Keigwin + Co

Making Moves

Feeling nothing but LOVE for you Chicago...You've provided me with a space to grow, explore, create, laugh, and learn. For that and so much more I am grateful and lucky. I'm making the move to NYC in at the end of the month BUT excited to share the Dance for Life stage with my incredible Chicago dance community on Aug. 19th. The adventure continues.... and more updates to come!
 

Photo by Chloe Hamilton

Photo by Chloe Hamilton

Summer Teaching: Chicago, Houston, Seattle...Oh Yes!

This summer has been unreal! So grateful for the studios and companies that brought me out to teach for them this summer. Started out with the Chicago School of Ballet and Hubbard Street Teen Intensive. The next week I flew to Houston and taught at METDance Youth Intensive and Pointe of Grace Dance Studio in my hometown of Katy, TX. Rounding out the Summer travel tour in Seattle working with South Sound Dance. Feeling inspired and motivated by all of these dancers.

The intermediate dancers from the METDance Youth Intensive 2017

The intermediate dancers from the METDance Youth Intensive 2017

SOLUS 2017: World View

Excited to be performing Becca Lemme/ Act of Matter's new work "Listen" for SOULS this year. Becca is such an intelligent dancer, teacher, and choreographer and created a work that challenges me to be patient and forgiving. I'm so thankful to have had the opportunity to work with her. The work is also a collaboration with Chicago based photographer and world traveler France Leclerc whos photography from around the world captures the beauty and simplicity of life. SOLUS | World View runs May 11-13 at 1st Ward Events at Chop Shop in Wicker Park. Get your tickets HERE!

Photo by France Leclerc

Photo by France Leclerc

New Collaboration with Mia Leblon

Back in February, Chicago based singer/songwriter Mia Leblon reached out to me about collaborating on a new video project. She wrote and produced a song and I created the movement for it. The piece is the first I have made for film so it was an exciting project to work on. We filmed the project at the Leo Burnett building downtown a couple weeks ago and the film is now in post production! Look forward to the final project premiering in the next few weeks!

Cole and Riccardo on set for WWYD music video collaboration

Cole and Riccardo on set for WWYD music video collaboration

SpringFOUR with Visceral Dance Chicago

Visceral Dance Chicago returns to the Harris Theater for their fourth spring season, featuring a world premiere, two returning works and a technical masterpiece. The line up includes two Nick Pupillo work as well as "Minor Threat" by Mark Godden and "Changes" by Monica Cervantes. I remember seeing "Changes" for the first time two years ago and knowing that it was a piece I wanted to dance myself. Excited to be perforing in the pillow duet next weekend April 8th. Tickets can be found here

Free Fall by Brendan Fernandes

Last night I had the pleasure of performing in Brendan Fernandes' show Free Fall. The piece was a two hour improve to live sound crated by Chicago musician Tidas. During that time, the music stopped and started again 49 times. Each time the sounds stopped I fell to the ground and did not get up until the music started again. The work is an ode to the Orlando massacre victims.

Looking forward to seeing how the work grows in the future!