The Department of Performing and Media Arts at Cornell University was fortunate to host three distinguished choreographers, Heidi Latsky, Olive Prince, and Mark Haim, as guest-artists-in-dance for PMA's dance program in 2022 and 2023. These highly experienced professionals provided invaluable instruction and shared their expertise and experience in dance technique and performance with PMA's dance students.
Heidi Latsky, the Artistic Director and Founder of Heidi Latsky Dance (HLD), was a celebrated principal dancer for the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company before branching out as a choreographer for stage, theater, and film. She toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe with her company and as part of Goldhuber & Latsky (with former partner Lawrence Goldhuber) [1996-2000]. Latsky headed the Movement Department at The School for Film and Television from 1998-2005, where Latsky developed her teaching practice. In 2001 she founded her own company, Heidi Latsky Dance (HLD), and in 2006, she began an intensive creation period with a bilateral amputee, Lisa Bufano. Working with Lisa Bufano marked a significant focus shift for HLD, where the group's vision extended to include dynamic performers with disabilities. Currently, Latsky is mentoring a young Norwegian disabled choreographer in the two-year program Diverse Nordic Voice - Choreographic Initiative (DNVCI) and is leading a pilot program for people with spinal cord injuries.
Olive Prince, the artistic director of Olive Prince Dance, is a veteran Philadelphia performer who has worked with many independent artists, as well as a company member with Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers (2007-2013) and Merian Soto (2005-present). Prince received her MFA in dance and choreography from Temple University, where her choreography was chosen for the American Colleges Dance Festival Association's National Concert at the Kennedy Center. As an educator, she has been teaching modern dance, composition, and improvisation at Drexel University since 2008. Prince was also commissioned to create dance for various universities and companies, including site-specific work for Hobart and William Smith College's 40th anniversary of the women's studies program.
Mark Haim, a recipient of a 1987 NYFA Choreographers Fellowship and a 1988 and 1996 NEA Choreographers Fellowship, has been making dances and teaching dance for 35 years. Born in New York City, Haim attended the Manhattan School of Music Preparatory Division and later the Dance Division of The Juilliard School, where he graduated with a BFA degree. He has created new works for many US, Europe, and Asia dance companies, including the Nederlands Dans Theater and the Limon Dance Company. Haim has been appointed as visiting guest faculty at numerous university dance departments throughout the US.
Latsky, Prince, and Haim collaborated with PMA students in Senior Lecturer Byron Suber's and Visiting Lecturer Miles Yeung's classes to develop their performances for the upcoming Locally Grown Dance, which will take place from March 9-11, 2023.
Latsky, Prince, and Haim visited Cornell as guest-artists-in-dance through the generous gift of Cheryl Whaley and Eric Aboaf. PMA is thankful for supporting such esteemed choreographers in sharing their knowledge and expertise with students.
