About Vaughn Dance Company

Origins

A modern dance company, with roots in ballet and lyrical jazz dance, Vaughn Dance Company was formed in 2002 by choreographer Jennifer Vaughn.

Making its mark with unique shapes, undulating movement, and intrinsic interpretation of music, Jennifer Vaughn's choreography captivates broader audiences and dance aficionados alike. Part acting, part dancing, Vaughn's movement is almost always tethered to emotion, and she pays careful attention to character development and tying movement to motivation.

The company began performing individual pieces in 2003 and has so-far produced three concerts of original work: Open (2005), Blue Lines (2007), and Centripetal (2007). Vaughn Dance Company plans to debut Reaching Out for the Unlimited in fall 2008.

One of the most distinctive traits of the company is the wide diversity in age (a span of more than 30 years). Dance is an expression of the spirit that should not be limited to a particular body size, shape, age, or look, and it is our hope that—as the dance company continues to evolve—we will represent a true cross-section of Los Angeles.

Check out the who's who of Vaughn Dance Company.

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Styles

Pulse

(9 minute piece for 5 women) Music: Pulse, by Ani Difranco Costumes: Gayle Davis Performed in 2003, 2005, and 2007 "Pulse" contemplates femininity, sensuality, longing, and the connection between women.

Isosceles

(26 minute piece for 7 dancers Music: Lento - Sostenuto Tranquillo Ma Cantabile from Symphony No. 3 by Henryk Gorecki Costumes: Gayle Davis Performed in 2005 and 2007 "Isosceles" delves into the complexity of a love triangle over the course of a single day.

Fission/Fusion

(25 minute piece for 8 dancers) Music: "Part 1" from Keith Jarrett's Koln Concert Costumes: Gayle Davis and Anna Wyckoff Performed in May and November 2007 "Fission/Fusion" explores individuality and the bolstering effect of community.

Rock and Water

(5-minute piece solo) Music: Debussy's Claire De Lune, performed by the Philadelphia Orchestra Costumes: Gayle Davis and Anna Wyckoff Performed in May and November 2007 "Rock and Water" was first inspired by a vision of a bare-chested man in full and flowing skirt, but as the piece developed, the skirt became reminiscent of water flowing around rocks in a stream.

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