All of the members of Alison Cook Beatty Dance add a vibrant touch to this dynamic, special collective. Each dancer brings their unique set of qualities and skills into the works that are created under the vision of our Artistic Director, Alison Cook Beatty.

One day Alison shared with me a sweet poem that she never forgot. It was given to her as a child by her mother’s friend while she was in elementary school:

“I’m one of a kind
And no one can find
Any kid who will be exactly like me”

She explained to me how it had different colored crayons all over it and she hung it on her wall. Through the years, she never forgot it and it stuck with her. She said it was true for me and for all the dancers. As a collective, we are like a rainbow of colorful crayons, which is way more interesting than a box full of the same color. I ran with this idea and started to imagine each of the company dancers as a specific colored crayon based on their own unique, individual styles and personalities. Of course, no one is limited to just one color, but this was a fun assignment!

Carolina has been dancing with the Company the longest, and her legacy is made apparent in the way she effortlessly picks up the specific, idiosyncratic movements that Alison demonstrates while teaching her choreography. Carolina stands out in her passionate execution of the dances. She has a way about her that draws in the eye of the viewer like a magnet. To me, she could be the vivid Violet color in the box of crayons. Her rich sense of musicality is a beautiful gift. This is a consensus across the board among the group. She has a keen ear for the music and this shows in her interpretation of the movement vocabulary. Carolina is a great listener and interviewed all of us in the company, past and present, as well as company collaborators in her weekly ACBD class offering on Instagram. This was a special series created during COVID called “From a Distance…” and sparked fruitful dialogues.

Fiona has also been a long standing member of ACBD, too, and she always mesmerizes me with her specificity of the choreography she is given. Fiona is extremely precise, clean, and articulate in the way she approaches movement. I can always rely on observing her for attention to detail when I have questions about counts and steps. She’s highly on point and generous with notes when I ask! If I could choose a color that Fiona exudes it would be an inspiring Indigo, that lovely marriage of blue and purple. She embodies water in the way it can be soft, sensual, and gentle, yet also has a dynamic sense of attack, which makes it exciting. Fiona encapsulates many qualities like this, and it is a treat to dance with her and witness her as a soloist, too. As engaging as she is as a performer, she is also an articulate instructor. Catch her for all-levels Seated Warm Up and ACBD Repertoire!

Vera is a stunning dancer from Italy. She exudes such a deep sense of empathy and compassion that comes through in the way she expresses herself while moving. She radiates and shines as she reaches to the edges of her personal kinesphere, and this is satisfying to watch with her long, sinewy physique. I enjoy Vera’s graceful yet charged presence on stage. She shares her strength through her softness and vulnerability, which I admire. Vera definitely has a strong sense of focus and this captures my attention in a refreshing way. If I had to assign a color to Vera it would be Crimson Red, since it is easy on the eyes, has a rich undertone and sense of depth. I see her delightfully painting the space using this refined accent tone. She has a playful, yet clear way of teaching, and you can see her Modern Dance Children’s Technique Class on the company’s Vimeo channel.

Niccolò, another striking dancer from Italy, adds so much vibrance and personality to the company! He devotes himself to the mastery of his movement, which I respect. His dancing is full of intention, purpose, and he can bring the drama into the work through his physicality, which I always enjoy. He transmits emotion through his entire being and therefore is a great storyteller. This is a tremendous talent for a dancer, and Nico inhabits this quality. If I had to assign a color to Nico, I would say he is a fierce Fuchsia. He thinks outside of the box while staying true to the structure of choreography. This very concept is the theme of his weekly ACBD class offering, Architecture in Motion, in which he creates movement to explore the architecture of various famous buildings around the globe. Check out his creative offerings on Instagram & Vimeo!

Ricardo, originally from Jamaica, is the newest member of the company, and we couldn’t be more fortunate to have him as part of the team! He is one of the kindest, most genuine people I have met, and he is truly invested in the people and things around him that he cares about. He has an impeccable work ethic and remarkable manners. Truly a gentle soul with a big heart, Ricardo puts care and love in his work and relationships. As a dancer, he has so many stand- out qualities, one of which, being his ability to effortlessly take flight and suspend himself in the air for what seems like a few days! 😛 He is strong, articulate, and charismatic, which is a solid combination. His presence brings a smile to my face, and because of his ability to spread joy, I feel that a sunny shade of Marigold is an appropriate color to assign to Ricardo. If you want to decompress and get your blood flowing, join him in The Movement of Healing series on the ACBD Instagram page.