Desmond Richardson shares with MOVE TV "Be Honest, Be Real and Be in the Moment"...
Richardson's talent was first recognized as a student at New York High School for the Performing Arts during which time he received a merit scholarship from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center (1983-1986) and the Internationale Akademie des Tanzes in Köln, Germany (1984-1985). He is also a recipient of a Presidential Scholar Award for the Arts (1986). In 1987, Richardson joined the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater where he was a principal dancer for seven years. more below...
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Desmond Richardson, Following Lights - By Danny Tidwell
Surprisingly, the prevailing top line: "Nothing to prove, only to share." 2006, finally the time and place to be outspoken. So clear and full of life, this man's work seems endless. As Desmond Richardson warms up before the first movmnt photo shoot, Denise Wall, dance teacher/studio owner, gets a new perspective. Strength, Courage and Wisdom is served in every ounce.
It's very exciting being in this situation, asking your artistic director questions that draw full circles of an artist. "Well, I've always been dancing," Desmond says, but it was at the former High School of Performing Arts that marked the beginning of his formal training. Denise and Desmond Richardson refer to the movie/TV series Fame as inspiration for that time. "I got bitten by the dance bug," states Richardson.
Sophomore and Junior year, Desmond was invited to study classically at The Summer Academy of Dance in Germany. From watching videos of Nureyev, he became familiar with excellence. "While you were at Dance Alliance, I was so impressed that you took hip-hop class, and then taught a master ballet class," Denise said. Growing up, Desmond shares that his major influence was street dancing. Coming from a similar street life as a child, I almost forget that some dancers didn't experience the joy of finding their own personal groove before formal training. This is where education vs. education came to me. "How many kids get to that place, not knowing how they got there" Denise comments. I have been fortunate enough to be nurtured by both Denise and Desmond as a dancer. They make it imperative to understand where you're coming from. It starts to become serious when it's time to surface life to the product. Desmond adds that, "It's really important for the person giving class to really invest. Denise Wall to second that, "Each person is such an individual." With complete comprehension as a performer, I now have the option of using my body as a tool, to school the audience.
Eventually, Desmond finished up his training at the Ailey school. At 18, he joined the company of Alvin Ailey. As a young performance artist in the professional world, I often hear stories of what Alvin Ailey was like, or crazy things Mikhail Baryshnikov would say. Instead of sitting back and thinking that these old people are stuck in the past, I try and use those words for myself, almost as if those words were chosen for me. "Now is the time to show your artistry to the world. It's not going to happen overnight. You gotta live a little, you gotta love a little. But you will find that it will be much more than your technical Polaris," Desmond repeats advice Mr. Ailey gave to him on tour in Paris. (...)
Richardson's talent was first recognized as a student at New York High School for the Performing Arts during which time he received a merit scholarship from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center (1983-1986) and the Internationale Akademie des Tanzes in Köln, Germany (1984-1985). He is also a recipient of a Presidential Scholar Award for the Arts (1986). In 1987, Richardson joined the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater where he was a principal dancer for seven years.
In 1997, he joined the American Ballet Theater where he performed the lead role in the company's world premiere production of Othello. In 1998, Richardson joined the premiere cast of the Broadway musicalFosse for which he received a 1999 Tony Award Nomination.
Comments
I LOVE this vessel into the deepest thoughts and feelings of these amazing performers!! Thank you so much for giving people this opportunity!!!
I just love Desmond Richardson! He's truth through and through!
Desmond Richardson, Following Lights - By Danny Tidwell
Surprisingly, the prevailing top line: "Nothing to prove, only to share." 2006, finally the time and place to be outspoken. So clear and full of life, this man's work seems endless. As Desmond Richardson warms up before the first movmnt photo shoot, Denise Wall, dance teacher/studio owner, gets a new perspective. Strength, Courage and Wisdom is served in every ounce.
It's very exciting being in this situation, asking your artistic director questions that draw full circles of an artist. "Well, I've always been dancing," Desmond says, but it was at the former High School of Performing Arts that marked the beginning of his formal training. Denise and Desmond Richardson refer to the movie/TV series Fame as inspiration for that time. "I got bitten by the dance bug," states Richardson.
Sophomore and Junior year, Desmond was invited to study classically at The Summer Academy of Dance in Germany. From watching videos of Nureyev, he became familiar with excellence. "While you were at Dance Alliance, I was so impressed that you took hip-hop class, and then taught a master ballet class," Denise said. Growing up, Desmond shares that his major influence was street dancing. Coming from a similar street life as a child, I almost forget that some dancers didn't experience the joy of finding their own personal groove before formal training. This is where education vs. education came to me. "How many kids get to that place, not knowing how they got there" Denise comments. I have been fortunate enough to be nurtured by both Denise and Desmond as a dancer. They make it imperative to understand where you're coming from. It starts to become serious when it's time to surface life to the product. Desmond adds that, "It's really important for the person giving class to really invest. Denise Wall to second that, "Each person is such an individual." With complete comprehension as a performer, I now have the option of using my body as a tool, to school the audience.
Eventually, Desmond finished up his training at the Ailey school. At 18, he joined the company of Alvin Ailey. As a young performance artist in the professional world, I often hear stories of what Alvin Ailey was like, or crazy things Mikhail Baryshnikov would say. Instead of sitting back and thinking that these old people are stuck in the past, I try and use those words for myself, almost as if those words were chosen for me. "Now is the time to show your artistry to the world. It's not going to happen overnight. You gotta live a little, you gotta love a little. But you will find that it will be much more than your technical Polaris," Desmond repeats advice Mr. Ailey gave to him on tour in Paris. (...)
FULL STORY CAN BE FOUND HERE: FOLLOWING LIGHTS
Conversation with Desmond Richardson, Denise Duncan Wall & Danny Tidwell
© Movmnt Magazine - Summer 2006
Hi Melinda,
Just watched the interview w/Desmond Richardson. Love the line..." not choosing it..it choosing me".
Great stuff!
Paul
Richardson's talent was first recognized as a student at New York High School for the Performing Arts during which time he received a merit scholarship from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center (1983-1986) and the Internationale Akademie des Tanzes in Köln, Germany (1984-1985). He is also a recipient of a Presidential Scholar Award for the Arts (1986). In 1987, Richardson joined the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater where he was a principal dancer for seven years.
After leaving the Ailey Company, he traveled to Germany where he performed with Ballet Frankfurt. Richardson has performed as a guest artist with several world-renowned companies including the Swedish Opera Ballet, the Washington Ballet, Teatro at La Scala, and the San Francisco Ballet.
Desmond's move tv profile
In 1997, he joined the American Ballet Theater where he performed the lead role in the company's world premiere production of Othello. In 1998, Richardson joined the premiere cast of the Broadway musicalFosse for which he received a 1999 Tony Award Nomination.
Desmond Richardson's Social Media Links:IMDB Wikipedia Biography Photos Facebook
The day we shot him dancing on the white stage he had a terrible cold and a performance that night ~ but
he showed up anyway and gave 150%. Thank YOU!!! You are such an inspiration!!! xo