SITE-SPECIFIC WORK:
"Fractals in the Dark"
Tantanoola Caves, South Australia
ARTISTS BY ANY OTHER NAME
Dancers (left to right): Emily Petry, Hannah Barnard, Gwendolyn Petry. Photo Credit: LC Aerial. July 2017.
DANCE FILMS / MUSIC VIDEOS:
"Rhizome”
THE RHIZOME PROJECT
Choreographed by Hannah Barnard in collaboration with Emily & Gwendolyn Petry. Music by Fabian Almazan. Directed by Daniel Zimbler. Edited by Dominick Nero. Released on March 1, 2014.
CONCEPT: Commissioned by jazz pianist/composer Fabian Almazan, this choreographic narrative is derived from the concept underlying Almazan's music composition: the rhizome, a subterranean part of a plant that can survive harsh conditions and produce new shoots. Through this work, Emily, Gwen and I explore the rhizome as a symbol for the transformation of a friendship between three women.
“Step Away, My Dear”
EXCERPT: THE MOON IS ALWAYS FULL
"Step Away My Dear" (Excerpt from "The Moon Is Always Full"). Choreographer/Dancer/Director: Hannah Barnard. Composer/Vocal Artist: Mare Berger. Costume Design: Mary Symczak. Videographer: Klassic Carella. Video Editor: Emily Pope. Site: Boathouse in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.
”Praise This Fear”
EXCERPT: THE MOON IS ALWAYS FULL
“Praise This Fear” (Excerpt from "The Moon Is Always Full"). Choreographers/Dancers: Hannah Barnard & Emily Pope. Composer/Vocal Artist: Mare Berger. Videographer: Melissa Wu. Site: Historic Lefferts House in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.
“Already Whole”
EXCERPT: THE MOON IS ALWAYS FULL
"Already Whole" (Excerpt from "The Moon Is Always Full"). Choreographers: Hannah Barnard & Melissa Wu. Dancers: Hannah Barnard & Cat Murcek. Director: Hannah Barnard. Composer/Vocal Artist: Mare Berger. Costume Design: Mary Symczak. Videographer & Editor: Emily Pope. Site: Vale of Cashmere in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.
“Even When We Forget”
EXCERPT: THE MOON IS ALWAYS FULL
"Even When We Forget" (Excerpt from "The Moon Is Always Full"). Choreographers/Dancers: Hannah Barnard, Emily Pope & Cat Murcek. Composer/Vocal Artist: Mare Berger. Costume Design: Mary Symczak. Videographer: Klassic Carella. Video Editor: Emily Pope. Site: Terrace Bridge in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.
“The Moon Is Always Full”
FULL-LENGTH DOCUMENTARY
Choreographers/Dancers: Hannah Barnard, Emily Pope, Catherine Murcek. Composer: Mare Berger. Videography: Klassic Carella & Emily Pope. Costumes: Mary Symczak. Video Editing: Emily Pope. Premiered at Barbes Brooklyn on July 29, 2023.
CONCEPT: Inspired by Mare Berger's album, “The Moon Is Always Full,” Emily, Cat & I explore relationships between women and nature, movement and moon cycles, humanity and healing, seasons of the climate and seasons of life.
"Grandma’s Vision”
SANCTUARY
Directed & choreographed by Hannah Barnard; Composed by Sonia Szajnberg; Costume Design by Mary Symczak; Produced by Kyle Walker. Dec. 2, 2018.
CONCEPT: Inspired by a story from my grandmother, Norma Walters, in which she receives a vision of color, strength, peace and light during a near-death experience in open heart surgery.
WORK-IN-PROCESS:
”Estuary”
PRIDEFEST @ THE TANK NYC:
“Estuary”: PrideFest at The Tank. Directed, choreographed & performed by Hannah L. Barnard with Allison Dubinski (violin). Music by J.S. Bach & Hildegard Von Bingen. Presented by The Tank NYC, a home for emerging artists, on June 26, 2022.
CONCEPT: “Estuary” - a body of water where the tide meets the stream - can be a healing image of grief: An intense collision between the salty tidal waves of sorrow and the healing waters of fresh life. Dive into a flow of music, movement and storytelling with dance theater artist Hannah Louise Barnard & violinist Allison Dubinski, as they seek to alchemize their experiences as queer women through the power of humor, beauty, ritual, and lots of fun outfits.
Hannah Barnard with
CHAMBER16:
"A Mourning Ritual"
Choreography by Hannah Barnard. Video Projections by Suzy Sureck. Violin by Sharon Gunderson. Cello by Scott Ballantyne. Music composed by Hildegard Von Bingen, J.S. Bach, and Bohuslav Martinu. October 31, 2019.
CONCEPT: The five sections of this work - Invocation, Initiation, Inner Child, Integration, Release - represent the five stages of a personal mourning ritual. “Invocation” is infused with elements of Bharatanatyam, a classical Indian dance technique that uses an elaborate sequence of hand gestures, mudras, to communicate the stories of Hindu mythology. This Invocation establishes sacred ground by calling upon the divine presence of the Earth Goddess Sita, who is capable of both birthing life and absorbing death. The struggle of “Initiation” is depicted through the push and pull between two warring aspects of Self: the hardened, over-protective adult-self versus the wounded inner child. “Inner Child” is at the heart of this work. The movement becomes buoyant, open, uplifted, trusting… until a flashback to a terrible memory sends the body of the child-self careening into chaos. Through “Integration,” the inner child is healed by the nurturing aspects of her own adult-self. The silver fabric serves as a bandage for the child’s wounds, the healing waters of rebirth, and a cocoon catalyzing her metamorphosis. Through “Release,” a newly transformed woman arises from her own ashes, blesses the earth, and veils herself as she departs from the site of her transformation.
"Dark Light of the Soul"
“Ballade” composed by Eugene Ysaye. Violinist: Sharon Gunderson. Choreographer/Dancer: Hannah Barnard. Sept. 17, 2018.
"Embodied: Dances of the Soul"
THE PROGRAM:
Artists: Hannah Barnard (choreography/dance), Sharon Gunderson (violin), Leah Coloff (cello/voice), Mary Bopp (piano)
Videography by Kyle P. Walker
1. Sonata for Solo Violin by Sergei Prokofiev - Hannah and Sharon
Movement 1: Moderato - Dance: "Resilibound" (0:00-5:22)
Movement 2: Andante Dolce - Dance: "Dulce de Leche" (5:23-8:47)
Movement 3: Con Brio - Dance: "Tempranillo" (8:48-12:57)
2. "Hangover Improvisation" (12:58-15:53) - Hannah, Sharon, Mary
3. Four Pieces for Cello and Piano by Frank Bridge (15:54-28:32) - Mary and Leah
4. "La fille au cheveux de lin" (The Girl with the Flaxen Hair) by Claude Debussy (28:33-31:11) - Mary and Hannah
5. "Danza ritual del fuego" (Ritual Fire Dance) by Manuel de Falla (31:11-35:23) - Mary and Hannah
6. "Phoenix Improvisation" (35:24-45:15) - Leah, Hannah, Mary
7. Songs by Leah Coloff (45:19-57:02) - Leah
8. "L'ouange a l'Immortalite de Jesus" (Praise to the Immortality of Jesus) by Olivier Messiaen (57:03-1:04:14) - Sharon, Mary, Hannah
Hannah Barnard with
ARTISTS BY ANY OTHER NAME:
“Tango Translations” Concert @ Adelaide Town Hall, South Australia.
"Libertango" composed by Astor Piazzola. Choreography by Hannah Barnard, Emily Petry, and Gwendolyn Petry.
"Youkali" composed by Kurt Weill. Choreography by Hannah Barnard.
"La Boite a Joujoux" (The Toybox) Children’s Concert @ Millicent Civic Center, South Australia.
Composed by Claude Debussy. Directed by Gwendolyn Petry. Choreography and text by Gwendolyn Petry, Emily Petry, and Hannah Barnard. Lecture-demonstration led by Hannah Barnard.
“Bitter Suite” Concert:
2:50-16:25 - "Stabat Mater" (Movements I, VIII, XI, XII) by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi.
1:08:00-1:10:10 - "Concerto Grosso in D Minor Opus 3 No. 5:11. Fuga (Allegro)" by George Fridrich Handel.
1:10:15-1:18:35 - "Piano Concerto No. 1 in D Minor BWV 1052 Mvt. 1" by Johann Sebastian Bach
All choreography by Hannah Barnard, Gwendolyn Petry and Emily Petry.
Dance in Morning Mass
at
SAINT PETER'S CHURCH:
“The Wedding at Cana” - Three Angles. Choreographed by Hannah Louise Barnard & Roberto Lara. Videography by Joshua Reaver.
0:30-8:00 - House Left.
9:40-17:15 - House Center.
17:40-18:35 - Aerial View, Part One.
Created for Epiphany III.
“The Wedding at Cana” - Aerial View, Part Two. Choreographed by Hannah Louise Barnard & Roberto Lara. Videography by Joshua Reaver. Created for Epiphany III.
"Blades of Refraction" choreographed by Hannah Barnard. Music: Prelude in G Minor by Sergei Rachmaninov. Created for Feast of Saint Michael and All Angels.
"Ruach" choreographed by Hannah Barnard. Music composition by Eric Stewart. Created for Epiphany II.
"Stabat Mater" choreographed in collaboration by Hannah Barnard, Christine Jordan, Gwendolyn Petry and Emily Petry. Music composed by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi. Created for Lent IV.
Nymphs Pas de Trois (from The Ballet "Walpurgisnacht") choreographed by Roberto Lara after Leonid Lavrovsky. Music composed by Charles Gounod. Performed by Hannah Barnard, Emily Petry, and Gwendolyn Petry. Created for Holy Trinity Sunday.
Dance in Jazz Vespers
at
SAINT PETER'S CHURCH:
1:10:50-1:13:50 - “Wishful Song” composed by Chris Dingman. Dance Solo by Hannah Barnard.
1:15:43-1:19:35 - “Say I Am You” composed by Chris Dingman. Dance Duet by Hannah Barnard and Maggie Segale.
June 3, 2018.
25:30-37:10 - “Quietness” composed by Chris Dingman. Dance Duet (partially obstructed view) by Hannah Barnard and James McClain
1:02:00-1:07:10 - “No Boundaries” composed by Chris Dingman. Dance Trio (wide shot) by Hannah Barnard, Kelly Garone, and James McClain.
June 10, 2018
Transfiguration Jazz Mass - March 3, 2019:
0:41:16 - 0:50:56 - “The Divinity of the Clouded Mountain.”
Choreographed by Hannah Barnard in collaboration with Emily Pope & Cat Murcek.
Musical improvisation by Froydis Grorud, Helge Nysted, Jesse Lewis, Ike Sturm, and Thomas Hvale.
CONCEPT: Nowhere in the Scriptures do I find a more thorough integration of light and shadow than in the Transfiguration on the Mount. One moment, we are blinded by the dazzling light of Christ’s divinity; The next, we are overshadowed by a cloud of mystery. In the choreography, I attempt to capture the confusion and disorientation resulting from both extremes. This work represents a catalytic moment in Peter’s inner spiritual journey. The tabernacle walls encasing his belief system are smashed… The foundations of his religious understanding are shaken to the core… The structures of a learned faith crumble at his feet, releasing unrestrained light, power, and holiness that terrify him. He is left exposed, vulnerable, ready to be rebuilt from scratch, shielded only by the living presence of a Divine Mystery who has now made Herself known.
“El niñito Jesus” choreographed by Hannah Barnard and Roberto Lara. Music Improvisation by the Ike Sturm Ensemble. February 2, 2013.
"The Boy Who Walked Backwards." Text and song by Chanda Rule Bernroider. Refrain based on a text by Antonio Machado, translated by Ada Maria Isasi-Diaz. Melody composed by Annette T. Covatta. Bass improvisation by Ike Sturm. Movement improvisation by Hannah Barnard. Feb. 21, 2016.
"Salt of the Earth" composed by Timo Vollbrecht. Movement improvisation crafted by Hannah Barnard and Emily Petry. March 20, 2016.
"River" composed by Ike Sturm. Dance Trio by Emily Pope, Catherine Murcek, and Hannah Barnard. April 16, 2017.
19:10-30:50 - “Quietness” composed by Chris Dingman. Dance Duet (closeup) by Hannah Barnard and James McClain
55:45-1:00:15 - “No Boundaries” composed by Chris Dingman. Dance Trio (closeup) by Hannah Barnard, Kelly Garone, and James McClain.
June 10, 2018
Advent III - Dec. 16, 2018:
0:29:18-0:34:10 - Psalm Improvisation.
0:58:30-1:06:35 - “Stillness” by Ike Sturm (feat. Sara Caswell String Quartet).
Choreography/Dance by Hannah Barnard.
Easter Jazz Mass - April 21, 2019:
41:00-47:40 - “White Pond Sunshine” composed by Ike Sturm. Choreography by Hannah Barnard.
1:04:35-1:10:25 - “When Did You Leave Heaven?” feat. Catherine Russell (vocals). Choreography by Hannah Barnard and Emily Petry.
CONCEPT: Christ’s resurrection signifies a completion of the “life-death-life” cycle, a phenomenon that perennially reveals itself to humanity. In nature, the death of plants provides fertile ground for new growth. In humans, our ever-shifting lives constantly ask us to die to former selves, thereby allowing deeper aspects of Self to emerge. Through the processes of remembering, mourning, and molting, Emily and I explore the ways in which this “life-death-life” cycle has shown up in our personal journeys. In our solos, we release our former selves, laying them to rest, and unearth the core essence that remains. This ritual of preparation creates space for a powerful and delicate transformation to naturally spring forth, represented through our final duet.
Pentecost Jazz Mass - June 9, 2019:
17:00-25:50 - “Send Forth Your Spirit” (Psalm 104)
Choreographed by Hannah Barnard
Composed by Ike Sturm
CONCEPT: Pentecost (“Fiftieth”) represents seven weeks and one day after the Passover. This ancient harvest celebration gathered together Jewish worshipers from many different nations. At the beginning of the dance, a sequence of seven gestural movements (derived from the storytelling language of Bharatanatyam) related to sowing, pruning, gathering, and blessing the earth is repeated seven times by three dancers in unison. Fire and wind then descend upon them, foreshadowing Peter’s prophecy: “Hearken to my words… this is that which was spoken by the prophet… And it shall come to pass in the last days… I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh: your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young (wo)men shall see visions, your old (wo)men shall dream dreams… And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood…” Receiving the wind and flame empowers each dancer to improvise within their own movement language, thus “speaking in tongues.”
Choreographic Residency
at
LA ROCHE UNIVERSITY
“Twosdays”: 15:30-27:23. Videographer: Becky Bilock.
Music: “Old World,” “Fire of Ada” & “Big Top” by Tin Hat
Choreogaphed by Hannah L. Barnard for LRU Dance Department’s 2022 Gala
School of Dance
at
THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY:
"Where Did That Leg Come From?" choreographed by Hannah Barnard. A whimsical adventure exploring the individual personalities of seven quirky creatures as they coalesce into a community through the music of Tin Hat.
“There Is No Rose”: 0:10-6:15. Choreographed & performed by Hannah Louise Barnard. Costume by Currie Leggoe. Composer: Randall Stroope. Choral Conductor: Kathryn Barnard. Funded by FSU’s Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities Award (URCAA). Performed with Pittsburgh Girl’s Choir on 2011 England Tour.
"Bitter Suite" Part I. Choreographed by Hannah Barnard. Music by George Frideric Handel and Rufus Wainwright.
"Bitter Suite" Part II. Choreographed by Hannah Barnard. Music by Rufus Wainwright.
"Collage" choreographed in collaboration by Hannah Barnard, Scott Aaron Curley, Hope Gaines and Roxanne Kidd.
“Whose Leg Is It Anyway?” Choreographed by Hannah Barnard. Music: Fire of Ada, Orbly Resting, Big Top. Composed by Tin Hat. Presented through Dixon Place’s “Under Exposed” series (NYC) in 2012.
"The Dusky Skirmish." Choreographed, composed, filmed and edited by Hannah Barnard. Dancers: Emily & Gwendolyn Petry.