Born of a partnership that started in the ballet studio, TornTogetherComingApart is made possible by Izzy and Matthew’s first choreographic collaboration. Set to a hauntingly beautiful mashup of Dinah Washington’s “This Bitter Earth” and Max Richter’s “On the Nature of Daylight” the piece, Answer My Call, displayed the pair’s love of innovative movement and the exploration of human expression through dance.   Answer My Call won multiple categories at the 2020 Rocky Mountain Choreography Festival affording them the opportunity to present this evening’s dance concert.

The title, TornTogetherComingApart, represents the challenges we all face in the times of COVID-19.  As we strive for connection and normalcy we are compelled to limit our contact and search for new forms of human association.  These limitations are represented thematically and physically in tonight’s performance. The dancers, while onstage, will refrain from touching and have been choreographed with social distancing in mind. Rather than thinking of these as limitations, they are using this as an opportunity to explore new forms of movement and emotional expression.

After dancing the roles of Clara and The Nutcracker Prince in 2019 Matt and Izzy were compelled to continue their work together. Their goal as choreographers has been to bring innovative ideas and unique physical expression to the stage. They weren’t expecting that it would lead to quite this much creation. Choreographing a full evening of dance might seem like a daunting task and it has often felt that way. Matt, Izzy and the dance company have been challenged by the rescheduled performance times, the necessity of Zoom call rehearsals, a serious injury to Izzy’s foot and the regular disruption we’ve all faced this year. They are proud to have worked through this and to finally have arrived at tonight’s performance.

Tonight’s performance will include a dance set to a premiere performance of composer Ami Hanna’s, Chrome Children. The music and dance are inspired by the memory of friend and fellow dancer, Charly Elizabeth Froerer, who sadly left us earlier this year. It is dedicated as a monument to everyone struggling with loneliness and identity. We love you Charly.