Dancing in St. Petersburg: All That Jazz

It is rare that an American teacher is invited to conduct dance workshops in St. Petersburg, Russia. But, this past January, Edward R. Truitt (Theatre Arts) taught just such a workshop for professional dancers, teachers, choreographers and advanced students from all over Russia. Hosted by the executive general manager and the artistic director of the Kannon Dance Company of Russia, Truitt taught highly difficult jazz technique classes, composition classes and presented a two-hour lecture on the history and future of jazz.

Many of the dancers paid the equivalent of six weeks salary to attend this one-week workshop. "The dancers were highly motivated and very eager to learn. It was a great pleasure to teach them," said Truitt.

The workshops were conducted with the support of the Administration of the Culture Committee of St. Petersburg, and the "Open Society" Institute, as well as a grant from the University Grants and Research Office at Fresno State.

In another January undertaking, Truitt staged his contemporary ballet "Two Souls in Search of ..." for Brigham Young University's Theatre Ballet Company. The BYU company performs Truitt's ballet Feb. 24-27 during its main stage production and will take the ballet on a national tour this spring.

 

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