When she left the helm of Ballet Pacifica and established the National Choreographers Initiative, Molly Lynch brought along her passion for new choreography and her penchant for identifying and nurturing emerging choreographers. For several intense weeks each summer, NCI assembles four choreographers and 16 dancers drawn from respected companies like Ballet Met and Los Angeles Ballet. The final performance invariably reflects the sparks struck when dancemakers can explore the movement possibilities in such high caliber dancers. Of the 20 works presented in NCI's short five years, over half went on to have premieres with U.S. and international companies. This year's choreographer quartet includes Rick McCullough formerly with Netherlands Dance Theater, Olivier Wevers from the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Sidra Bell from Dance Theater of Harlem and Deanna Carter whose been associated with several international companies. After the show, Lynch moderates a discussion with the choreographers offering additional insight into their creative processes.

Sat., July 25, 8 p.m., 2009

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