SYREN Modern Dance was formed in 2003 and has since produced eight New York Seasons. SYREN has been presented at Jacob’s Pillow, Symphony Space, DTW, and The Riverside Theatre, among others. It has been supported by grants from NYC’s Department of Cultural Affairs, Harkness Space Grants (92nd Street Y), residencies at DanceNOW/NYC’s Silo and DTW’s Outer/Space, and was commissioned by Purchase Coll
ege. SYREN’s mission is to place dance within a broader social context and harness the unique power of live performance. Central to that mission is pairing vigorous motion with live onstage music to bring dance back to where it started – in dialogue with live music. SYREN has collaborated with Galeet Dardashti, Artemis Chamber Ensemble, and Steeplechase Arts to bring over 20 performances to the public that feature dance with live music. SYREN is driven to explore movement and music in ways that deeply connect the two, as they have always been. Blending narrative ideas with the unique journey of each dancer and also that of each audience member is at the core of the work. The individual journey of a shared experience is the place SYREN loves to explore. SYREN has worked with students at Purchase College, Yale University, Nutmeg Conservatory, and Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, among others. SYREN launched its fourth year of "Dance on Canvas" in 2011. This Partnership with the Art Students League of NY is a series of gallery-based rehearsals where visual artists capture the company’s dynamic motion in oil, charcoal and ink.
