New works debut in Sarasota Contemporary Dance program

Each season, Sarasota Contemporary Dance invites acclaimed and rising choreographers from across the country to create new work on the company’s dancers for its annual “Dance Makers” program.

This year’s performances, running Jan. 26-29 at the FSU Center’s Cook Theatre, features the work of four female choreographers. Artistic Director Leymis Bolaños Wilmott said the program “continues to incite our spirited vision.” She added it is imperative as a versatile contemporary dance company to “create space for choreographers from diverse backgrounds and experiences.”

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Gilliane Hadley is one of four choreographers creating new work for Sarasota Contemporary Dance’s annual “Dance Makers” program.
Gilliane Hadley is one of four choreographers creating new work for Sarasota Contemporary Dance’s annual “Dance Makers” program.

The four choreographers are:

Lisa del Rosario is a dancer, teacher and choreographer who teaches at Ballet Austin and often “creates dances on her own whim.”

Melissa Cobblah Gutierrez was born in Cuba and raised in Ghana and Cape Verde before moving to the United States at age 14. While a student at Miami Dade College, she joined Olujimi Dance Collective and works as a guest instructor at new World School of the Arts. She began developing her SCD piece during the company’s In-Studio performance series last summer.

Gilliane Hadley is an Orlando-based choreographer, teacher and dancer who has performed with Isadora Duncan Dance Ensemble, was a company member of Freddick Bratcher Company, and is now a freelance teacher and choreographer.

Melissa Cogglah Gutierrez , pictured at Jacob’s Pillow, will have a new piece of choreography featured in the “Dance Makers” program by Sarasota Contemporary Dance.
Melissa Cogglah Gutierrez , pictured at Jacob’s Pillow, will have a new piece of choreography featured in the “Dance Makers” program by Sarasota Contemporary Dance.

Tania Vergara Perez trained and taught at the National Ballet School in Cuba, and in 2002, became the founder and director of her own company Contemporary Ballet Endedans. She came to the United States in 2014 and has been leading master classes and workshops around the country, while serving as a master teacher at the Sarasota Cuban Ballet School and as a teacher at Sarasota Contemporary Dance.

Performances of “Dance Makers” are at 7 p.m. Jan. 26-28 and 3 p.m. Jan. 29 in the Cook Theatre in the FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Tickets are $10-$45. Virtual tickets are $20 for home streaming options on Jan. 28 and 29. For more information: 941-260-8485; sarasotacontemporarydance.org/in-theater

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Four choreographers create new works for Sarasota Contemporary Dance