Defining Dance

By Leah Aulisio-Sharpe ’22, July 9, 2021

Assistant Professor Daniel Gwirtzman launches digital education platform through his dance company.

An outdoor shot of dancers in brightly-colored costumes leaping in front of a scenic mountain background.

Through his digital platform, Gwirtzman hopes to make dances — such as "Olympiad", which he choreographed — accessible to individuals worldwide.

(Photo by Christopher Duggan)

Assistant professor of dance Daniel Gwirtzman has launched a multi-faceted digital dance platform through his New York City-based, nonprofit dance company. The platform, called “Dance with Us” celebrates all things dance with more than 100 pages of educational videos, dance films and various filmed dances performed by the Daniel Gwirtzman Dance Company.

From June 25-27, Gwirtzman hosted a weekend-long virtual premiere to showcase everything the platform has to offer. The premiere included a guided tour, conversations with supporting artists, a Q&A session and celebratory dance parties.

Take the Leap

Check out the “Dance with Us” platform, and immerse yourself in the world of dance.

The premiere was included in Harper’s Bazaar's “10 Best Art, Theater, and Music Events in June” along with other notable attractions such as the Obama portraits tour, which Gwirtzman said was an honor.

“I feel great pride for the integral, consistent work of the company all these years, for the efforts and talents of the dancers and other collaborators,” he said. “We are most excited to be selected into the company of such prominent national events. We work hard, and I'm thankful it’s recognized.”

The launch featured the world premieres of three dances, “Willow” and “Dollhouse,” and “Parade,” as well as previews of several dance films that will launch on the platform throughout the rest of 2021.

"This platform gives everyone, regardless of their exposure to dance, the tools to speak about dance, encouraging them to understand their viewpoint is as valid as that of an ‘expert.’ At this moment when there is so much dance to see, this platform seeks to serve as a how-to primer."

Daniel Gwirtzman

The weekend also featured special guests including Dante Puleio, artistic director of the Limón Dance Company; Tiffany Rea-Fisher, artistic director of Elisa Monte Dance; Seán Curran, artistic director of Seán Curran Company, and Michael Novak, artistic director of Paul Taylor Dance Company.

The creation of the platform was helped in large part thanks to a grant from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. In addition to being grateful for the leadership support of the Fund, Gwirtzman also credits Ithaca College with helping the platform get off the ground. Last summer, he received a faculty grant, which provided further support.

A self-portrait of Daniel Gwirtzman dancing on a ledge in Spain.

Gwirtzman worked with several IC alumni to produce the platform.

(Photo submitted)

The goal of “Dance With Us,” Gwirtzman said, is to teach everyone how to interpret and incorporate dance into their everyday lives.

“We have long been committed to conversing about dance, empowering audiences to trust their opinions, and gain more knowledge of dance in pursuit of expanding one’s dance literacy,” he said. “This platform gives everyone, regardless of their exposure to dance, the tools to speak about dance, encouraging them to understand their viewpoint is as valid as that of an ‘expert.’ At this moment when there is so much dance to see, this platform seeks to serve as a how-to primer.”

"The platform is designed to cater to everyone, no matter their ability, comfort, or experience level with dance. It’s special because someone can learn something in one hour and they can spend a week on it and still find new materials and content."

Brian Hanshaw ’21

There’s a heavy Ithaca College influence on the platform, as five IC alumni and three current students perform in the various films. Other alumni work hard behind the scenes.

“This project excites me because of its mission,” said Brian Hanshaw ’21. “I share the same values about dance as Daniel: that dance is for everyone, and everyone can dance.”

A theatre studies major who had a concentration in stage management, Hanshaw has been working tirelessly, helping to build the platform website, organize the live virtual launch event and compile company archives for use on the site.

“The platform is designed to cater to everyone, no matter their ability, comfort, or experience level with dance,” he said. “It’s special because someone can learn something in one hour and they can spend a week on it and still find new materials and content.”