Spectrum Dance Theater was founded by Seattle dancers in 1982 to make dance more accessible to diverse communities. Under Donald Byrd’s visionary artistic leadership since 2002, Spectrum has transformed into a company of regional and national significance, igniting audiences through Byrd’s ambitious artistic agenda, whose appetite to explore the arts knows no boundaries. The dancers of Spectrum Dance Theater are a small, select group of unique dance artists from around the globe, individually chosen and trained in Mr. Byrd’s singular approach to dance/theater – physically demanding and emotionally charged. The company has produced thrilling and challenging works in contemporary dance to critical acclaim. Donald Byrd achieved international visibility for the creation of his Harlem Nutcracker and for his Tony-nominated choreography for the Broadway smash, The Color Purple. No less ambitious in the 21st century, Byrd leads the company through programming themes that give audiences insight into his far-ranging artistic ambition. http://spectrumdance.org/
For nine years Germaul Barnes was principle dancer with Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, where he received the 2003 New York Dance and Performance Award-The Bessie. Germaul Barnes is artistic director and founder of Viewsic Expressions Dance, a New York based dance organization that presents multi-media dance performances and educational residencies around the world. A native of Phoenix, Arizona, Mr. Barnes was educated at University of the Arts in Philadelphia. The recipient of many grants and awards, Mr. Barnes has extensive foreign experience as dancer, teacher, choreographer and anthropologist. Join Germaul Barnes in discovering the richness of CONTEMPORARY GROOVE and embody it’s instinctual rhythms and organic flow. http://www.ViewsicEx.org