Spectrum in Motion Dance Theater Ensemble, Charter Oak’s resident Dance Company, was founded in 1982 in the Pioneer Valley/5 College Community of Western Massachusetts. Its premise is that dance should once again be part of every day life. Dance should help us to tell and share the stories of our lives. Dance should embrace all peoples.
History
The company started by gathering people from all walks of life: those who danced professionally and have moved on to other things; students of dance; instructors of dance; those who supported dance; those who never danced. It was a community of folks who were excited to move together as an ensemble and once or twice a year, we presented original work.
The second generation of dancers was launched in the fall of 2003 at Charter Oak Cultural Center and comes from an ensemble of my student dancers called The Youth Dance Performance Project. Spectrum in Motion has been blessed to have an opportunity to raise dancers (1998 to the present) and to continue to build original work. It is with excitement that The Company looks forward to what lies ahead as we continue to take baby steps and inspire others (young and not-so-young) to dance, embracing the simple notion that dance is for everyone. We all should be dancing!
Olivia Ilano-Davis, Artistic Director
Olivia Ilano-Davis, Founding Artistic Director of Spectrum in Motion Dance Theater Ensemble, was born in the Philippines and grew up in western Massachusetts. She holds a B.F.A. in Theater and Dance from Smith College and has pursued an advanced degree in education at the University of Massachusetts. She studied and danced at The Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, The Clarke Center for the Performing Arts and Henry Street Settlement. She began teaching as an adjunct instructor at the University of Massachusetts presenting a course entitled Third World Dance Theater Workshop, a response to affirmative action. She is the former Director of Dance Programs for City Youth at Dance Connecticut and Hartford Ballet. Ms. Davis has received several honors including for her work as an educator and choreographer including a Distinguished Service Award from the state-wide Connecticut Dance Alliance this past September.
Since 2003 Ms. Davis has directed an after school and summer program called Stretching for Life. During the school year more than 400 youngsters participate in dance classes. Her students are measured against the Connecticut Common Core of Learning goals and objectives and the program has demonstrated significant changes in the children’s behavior and skills levels, in large measure because of the skilled mentors and the degree of individualized attention the children receive. The children have grown along with the program over the last seven years and the program has age/skill specific classes and has been the genesis for the creation of a children’s performing ensemble and an apprentice company, both of which have had numerous performance opportunities, both with the company and independently.
Spectrum in Motion presents two performances a year at Charter Oak Cultural Center. Check our Dance page for details.
To find out more information please visit Spectrum in Motion’s website.
