As the New World School of the Arts marks its 40th Anniversary, the NWSA dance division will present a special evening of dances by Robert Battle and Paul Taylor to inaugurate NWSA’s dance season. Battle will present two works created specifically for NWSA dancers, and the event will showcase an exhilarating performance of Taylor’s signature work, ”Airs,” as well as a solo performance featuring distinguished alumnus John Harnage, who will grace the stage courtesy of the Paul Taylor Dance Company to perform an excerpt from the captivating piece “Company B.” After the performance, attendees will have the opportunity to join a VIP Reception, where they can celebrate this important milestone in the school’s history and engage with Mr. Battle, who will be available to meet and interact with guests.
“We look forward to sharing the works of these two remarkable choreographers, whose works thrill audiences around the world, and to showcasing the talent of our current and former students as they bring these works to life onstage,” said Mary Lisa Burns, Dean of Dance at NWSA. “It promises to be an exciting way to start our 40th anniversary celebrations!”
Robert Battle’s works specifically created for the dancers at New World School of the Arts include ”Where the Light Lands,” which is accompanied by the uplifting compositions of Mendelssohn and Bach, and ”Coming Home,” set to a diverse selection of music from Mahalia Jackson, Wycliffe Gordon, Bill Allred’s Classic Jazz Band, and others.
“I am thrilled that the Paul Taylor Dance Company can join New World School of the Arts in celebrating their 40th Anniversary. We have a close connection to the dance program there, sharing faculty, alumni, and a dear connection with our Resident Choreographer, Robert Battle. I hope everyone can join us on Saturday, October 10th, to experience the brilliance of Robert, Paul, and the students of New World.” –Michael Novak, Artistic Director, Paul Taylor Dance Company
Robert Battle, distinguished dancer and choreographer, graduated from the NWSA high school dance program in 1990, studying under the direction of Daniel Lewis. He then attended the dance program at the Juilliard School. He danced with Parsons Dance from 1994 to 2001 and choreographed for the company starting in 1998. Mr. Battle then founded Battleworks Dance Company, which made its debut in 2002 in Düsseldorf, Germany, and performed extensively at venues including the Joyce Theater, Dance Theater Workshop, American Dance Festival, and Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival. In July 2011Robert Battle became artistic director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater after being personally selected by Judith Jamison, making him only the third person to head the company. Mr. Battle was honored as one of the “Masters of African American Choreography” by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in 2005 and received the prestigious Statue Award from the Princess Grace Foundation-USA in 2007. Robert Battle was named a 2015 Visiting Fellow for the Art of Change, an initiative by the Ford Foundation, and is a recipient of the 2021Dance Magazine Award. He was appointed Resident Choreographer of the Paul Taylor Dance company in Fall 2024. Mr. Battle holds honorary doctorates from the University of the Arts, Marymount Manhattan College, and Fordham University.
Paul Taylor (1930–2018) was a transformative figure in American modern dance, celebrated for his remarkable physicality and emotionally resonant choreography. His journey began at Syracuse University, where he discovered his love for dance, leading him to further his training at The Juilliard School. Taylor’s career included performances alongside legendary figures such as Martha Graham and Merce Cunningham. In 1954, he founded the Paul Taylor Dance Company, dedicating the next sixty years to the creation of 147 innovative pieces, including notable works like Esplanade and Company B, which artfully combined ordinary movements with deep emotional expression. His significant impact on the arts garnered him extensive international recognition and prestigious accolades, including the National Medal of Arts and a Kennedy Center Honor.
John Harnage, originally from Miami, Florida, pursued his dance education at the Miami City Ballet School and New World School of the Arts graduating from the NWSA high school dance program in 2010. He distinguished himself as a Modern Dance Finalist in the 2010 National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts YoungArts competition. In 2014, he earned his degree from The Juilliard School, where he showcased his talent in works by renowned choreographers such as Pina Bausch, Alexander Ekman, Jose Limón, and Lar Lubovitch. Following his graduation, he began his professional journey with Jessica Lang Dance, officially joining the company in 2015, which allowed him to perform and teach internationally. Additionally, he took on the role of principal dancer in the Washington National Opera’s 2017 production of Aida at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. In the Fall of 2018, Mr. Harnage became a member of the Paul Taylor Dance Company.
The dance training at New World School of the Arts is rooted in a conservatory model, emphasizing classical ballet while also embracing various cultural dance forms and contemporary styles. The curriculum is complemented by studies in choreography, music, dance history, anatomy, kinesiology, movement analysis, and dance production. NWSA enjoys international recognition for the achievements and artistry of its professional alumni, the expertise of its distinguished faculty, and its exceptional dance curriculum. Additionally, the school maintains productive partnerships with numerous national and international ballet and modern dance companies, reflecting the diverse backgrounds of both faculty and students, as well as providing excellent facilities for dance education. For further details regarding the NWSA dance division, please contact 305-237-3684.
A Florida center of excellence in the visual and performing arts, New World School of the Arts is an educational partnership of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Miami Dade College, and University of Florida. NWSA provides a comprehensive program of artistic, creative, and academic development through a curriculum that reflects our community and the rich multicultural state of Florida. Through our partners NWSA confers the high school diploma, Associate of Arts degree, and Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Music degrees in programs accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance, Music, Theatre, and Art & Design. NWSA’s rigorous eight-year curriculum and conservatory-style teaching has empowered students in our community and our nation to become leaders in the arts for more three decades. Information about New World School of the Arts at 305-237-3135 or nwsa.mdc.edu.
ROBERT BATTLE AND PAUL TAYLOR
With guest dancer John Harnage (Paul Taylor Dance Company)
October 10; 7 PM
VIP RECEPTION: Immediately following the performance
New World Dance Theater
25 NE 2 Street, 8th Floor, Miami
General admission $15