Cavaliers Partner with Visceral Dance Chicago for 2019 Dance Intensive
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(ROSEMONT, ILLINOIS) – The Cavaliers are pleased to partner with Visceral Dance Chicago to offer the Corps' 2019 color guard cast an exclusive, week-long dance intensive leading into the summer tour.
“The Cavaliers’ educators and administrators are charged with delivering a transformative educational and developmental experience that goes well beyond the field of performance,” said Chris Lugo, Executive Director of The Cavaliers.
“2019 marks the third year we’ve partnered with Nick Pupillo and Visceral Dance Chicago to provide a unique, world-class dance training intensive for our color guard members,” added Lugo. “Our cast get a demanding and rewarding experience with some of Chicago’s most talented dance teachers and choreographers. “I'm proud of the work we're doing to further develop the educational and performance experiences we provide for our membership.”
Nick Pupillo, the founder and artistic director of Visceral Dance Chicago, is no stranger to the drum corps activity, having performed with Star of Indiana and Brass Theater before joining The Cavaliers’ color guard staff in the early 2000s.
"The 2017 and 2018 Visceral experience was enormously beneficial experience for the color guard," said Travis Speice, Color Guard Caption Manager. "This is a chance for our cast to meet one another, bond, and focus exclusively on movement training at one of Chicago's premiere dance institutions."
This intensive will be held at Visceral Dance Chicago's Logan Square location the week leading into the corps’ official summer move-in, with a focus on ballet and contemporary technique training. Members of The Cavaliers’ color guard will also dive into repertory and choreography sessions with Pupillo and his team of Chicago dance teachers.
"This week-long intensive will again pay off in a big way for our students,” added Speice. “I’m grateful to be teaming with Nick and Visceral Dance Chicago for this challenging and eye-opening training opportunity for a third year!"
About Nick Pupillo
Nick Pupillo, Founder and Artistic Director of Visceral Dance Chicago, graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science in Ballet. In 2001, Pupillo joined the acclaimed Giordano Dance Chicago where he toured nationally and internationally for three years. Pupillo decided in 2006 to train and mentor young talent by developing the prestigious Visceral Studio Company.
In 2007, he founded Visceral Dance Center to provide the Chicago community with a new venue for artistic and technical growth. This facility continues to be a Chicago dance landmark. TimeOut Chicago lists Visceral Dance Center as "A bustling, well-appointed facility...with instructors from top companies and in-demand guest teachers." Utilized by a number of Chicago-based companies, Visceral Dance Center is home to its resident company, Visceral Dance Chicago.
Pupillo founded Visceral Dance Chicago in the fall of 2013. This repertory company presents his daring vision to explore the infinite possibilities of contemporary movement. The dancers of Visceral demonstrate this choreographic invention and are recognized for their technique, passion, and athleticism. In less than three years, Pupillo has led the company in a forthright direction, establishing a repertoire described as "expertly devised and stylish as they come." (Laura Molzahn, Chicago Tribune) He created six signature works for the company, Impetere, Senza di te, My Realm, Sum Noir, She Three and Vital. He has also commissioned world premieres by Sidra Bell, Banning Bouldin, Monica Cervantes, Marguerite Donlon, Brian Enos, and Robyn Mineko Williams as well as company premieres by Ohad Naharin and Fernando Melo. Pupillo continues the company's bold vision this season, commissioning works by Marguerite Donlon, heightening the"distinct flavor to this fledgling company that differentiates it from the other high kick, high flair, contemporary dance companies." (Lauren Warnecke, Art Intercepts)
Pupillo has received various awards for his choreography, including "The Dance Chicago Outstanding Choreography Award" in 2005 and 2012 and "The Cliff Dwellers 2013 Choreographer of the Year. His work has been described as "a stroke of choreographic genius...complex, tumbling changes...in this portrait of perpetual motion." (Laura Molzahn, Chicago Tribune) "Nick Pupillo's world premiere piece, She Three, was by far one of the most visually stunning performances I have encountered thus far." (Rebecca Curl, Chicago Stage Standard) Pupillo is frequently invited to conduct master classes in the U.S. and around the world and has taught for the Jazz Dance World Congress, Chicago Dance Connection and Chicago NaUonal AssociaUon of Dance Masters. Pupillo is currently an artist in residence at Culver Academies.
About Visceral Dance Chicago
Founded in 2013 by Artistic Director Nick Pupillo, Visceral Dance Chicago is a contemporary dance company dedicated to a bold and progressive world of movement. In less than three years, the company has developed a diverse and respected repertoire. With works by distinguished choreographers Sidra Bell, Mónica Cervantes, Marguerite Donlon, Brian Enos, Robyn Mineko Williams, Banning Bouldin, Harrison McEldowney, Fernando Melo, Ohad Naharin, Mark Godden and Pupillo, Visceral Dance Chicago continues to challenge audiences' expectations. In January of 2015, Visceral Dance Chicago was named one of Dance Magazine’s 25 to Watch, recognizing the company’s accomplishments and potential in the national community. "Visceral Dance Chicago breathes life into the Chicago arts community with their ability to intertwine complex human emotions with the raw beauty of dance and physical movement." (Chicago Stage Standard)
Visceral Dance Chicago is a contemporary company dedicated to providing a comprehensive environment designed to cultivate dance education, creation and performance for choreographers, dancers and audiences. Visceral Dance Chicago distinguishes itself by its commitment to the progression of diverse artists, programs and collaborations for our community.
About The Cavaliers
Founded in 1948 from Boy Scout Troop 111, The Cavaliers are one of the most successful drum and bugle corps in history, winning 20 national championships, including seven Drum Corps International World Championships since 1992.
The Cavaliers provide a variety of educational and performance programs for young people, including GearWORKS, Cavaliers Indoor Percussion, and Chromium Winds. The organization delivers life-changing experiences that go beyond music and performing arts to build personal accountability, excellence, teamwork, and camaraderie.
The Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization sponsored by The Village of Rosemont, Illinois.