Milton Myers Celebrates 25 Years at The School at Jacob’s Pillow
Milton Myers just finished his 25th year mentoring students at The School at Jacob’s Pillow. Serving as director of The School’s Contemporary Program, Milton guides, challenges and inspires students age 16 and older as they embark on professional relationships with choreography, guest artists and performance. He is nothing short of a hero to these young dancers – not to mention a shining light for Pillow staff and visitors.
Milton instructing young dancers in the Contemporary program
Milton prepares dancers for professional work with dance's leading artistic directors
This year’s Contemporary students were equipped with the technical skill needed for their time at the dance festival, but Milton encouraged the young dancers to work and move as an ensemble. Their Inside/Out performances showcased this idea and reinforced the world-wide notion of Milton as master dance teacher.
The Contemporary students perform at Inside/Out
The students show off their technical skill
I wanted to join the Pillow in celebrating Milton Myers’ many years and endless contributions to the its students, employees and patrons. The high standards at Jacob’s Pillow are set by people like Milton. I wanted to honor him with some portrait work.
Milton at the Ruth St. Denis Studio at Jacob's Pillow
A more contemplative Milton
A more contemplative Milton
Milton channels Ruth St. Denis
Andrea Miller, Guest Artist for the Pillow’s Contemporary Program
I’ve been trying to push myself as an artist to do more portraits of the dancers and choreographers I interact with on a near-daily basis in New York City and at Jacob’s Pillow. Usually when preparing for a portrait session with an artist, I make it a goal to pull something out of them that shows a different side than what I see in the studio or on stage.
Andrea Miller guided the Contemporary students through improvisational exercises
Andrea, and her assistant Troy Ogilvie, lead an energetic class
The students prepare for a performance demonstrating that week's methods of generating movement
After making portraits with Milton, I met Andrea Miller for a more playful session in the wild flowers and treeline near Derby House. When I heard Andrea, the artistic director of Gallim Dance, was working with the Contemporary students this summer, I was totally psyched. I’ve worked with Andrea a lot in the past, Gallim is amazing and her choreography has the kind of energy that just consumes you. She’s a smart dance maker, can be pretty serious in the studio, and since she was open to anything in our portrait session, it was a lot of fun to work with her in this way.
Andrea wanders through the wilderness at Derby House
A stolen moment on the swing
Andrea and Jacob's Pillow's vibrant sky
WHAT JACOB’S PILLOW DANCE PHOTOS ARE YOU STILL DYING TO SEE?
I’m blogging about my work at Jacob’s Pillow every Friday this summer, and there are only a few weeks left in the season. Please let me know if you’d like to see something specific – your favorite choreographer behind the scenes, a peek backstage, etc. – and I’ll do my best to deliver.
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