Dance Department Welcomes Guest Artist Claudia Lavista

Tuesday, August 7, 2018

The UNC Charlotte Department of Dance announces Fall 2018 guest artist, Claudia Lavista. Lavista will teach master classes, hold conversations with students, and create a new version of her interdisciplinary work PROW (a journey).  Students will audition to work with Lavista in the first week of fall semester. The work will be performed as part of the Student Fall Dance Concert in November.

Claudia Lavista has more than 25 years of international dance experience and is the winner of national and international awards. Co-director of the renowned company, Delfos Danza Contemporánea, Lavista will collaborate with Iranian composer Shamou, Director of Music for Dance at UNC Charlotte, who will create a soundscape for the work. Prow is an emotionally charged and physically challenging work that uses sound and movement to address themes like migration, immigration, alienation, and identity.                               

Delfos Danza Contemporánea is Mexico’s premiere contemporary dance company and ranks among the best companies in Latin America both artistically and as leaders in the field. Based in Mazatlán, Mexico, Delfos inspires audiences, students, and communities with outstanding performances and in-depth residencies. Through physical grace, athleticism, and vibrancy, their performances evoke emotion and introspection. Celebrating 25 years, Delfos Danza Contemporánea tours throughout the world, creating enduring relationships wherever they go, seeking opportunities for collaboration and exchange and passionately committed to dance education. To find out more go to www.delfosdanza.org

Shamou is known for his collaborative work with dance companies, among them Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Co., Mark Morris Dance Company, ODC /San Francisco, and San Francisco Ballet.  Shamou has taught hand drumming, percussion, music for dance, and body music in a wide variety of settings, including Harvard, Boston University, Bates, Bowdoin and Wellesley colleges, and high school and college dance festivals, including the Bates Dance Festival.