Making dance is a profound passion. I build my choreographies through intimate collaboration with dancers, recognizing them as the heart of my inspiration, motivation, and the intrinsic energy that breathes life into each new piece. My work is inherently eclectic, unbound by a singular dance style, and I actively explore all choreographic possibilities alongside my dancers.
Biography
Born and raised in France, I began my dance journey with training in ballet and Russian character dance, performing professionally across France and Europe. My curiosity led me to the US, where I arrived on a student visa for the Merce Cunningham studio. In New York City, I delved into the vibrant modern dance scene, particularly drawn to the innovative works of Merce Cunningham, Jennifer Muller, and Paul Taylor.
On Martha's Vineyard, I honed my choreographic skills, creating pieces for the ensemble What's Written Within and collaborating with dancers from The Yard. My original works have graced the stages of the Vermont Dance Alliance Winter Gala and the Junction Dance Festival. With support from the Vermont Arts Council, I expanded into film, producing and directing two documentaries: "Covid, a Poem and a Rope," a testament to resilience during the pandemic, and "We Remember," a visual poem honoring Vermont's copper miners.
My artistic philosophy centers on close collaboration with dance artists. I believe in empowering dancers to express their unique personalities and backgrounds, allowing their individual voices to shape our shared creative process.
In 2020, I founded The Junction Dance Festival, a non-profit dedicated to fostering appreciation for dance in all its forms. Through our ChoreoLab seed program, we provide a nurturing environment in Corinth, VT, for dance artists to develop their own choreographic projects.
babettekurylo@gmail.com