CORE Contemporary and Aerial Dance
Bala Sarasvati
Bala Sarasvati, Artist, artistic director and choreographer with expertise in contemporary dance technique, aerial dance and somatic movement theory and application. She holds M.F.A., M.A. degrees in dance from The Ohio State University, Certified Movement Analyst (CMA) from Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies, NYC and B.F.A., B.S degrees from the University of Utah. In addition, a Certified Yoga Trapeze Instructor.
Bala served as University of Georgia Jane Willson Professor in the Arts through 2022, founding artistic director of CORE Contemporary and Aerial Dance. Professor of contemporary technique, dance composition, dance production, improvisation, technology interface, aerial yoga trapeze and Laban Movement Analysis. Bala has taught and/or presented choreography throughout the U.S and China, and internationally in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, England, France and Taiwan: and guest faculty for Univerisdad Nacional Graduate Dance Program, Heredia, Costa Rica (2007-2022). She has served as faculty member for the Jose Limon School and Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies, NYC. Her choreography was selected for Seattle Bumbershoot Arts Festivals, Piccolo Spoleto Festivals, LIMS MOSAIC, National Dance Therapy Association, National Dance Association, National American College Dance Festival, National Society for Literature and Science and several World Dance Alliance Americas Conference and Festival Assemblies. As Founding Artistic Director of CORE Contemporary and Aerial Dance (formerly) CORE Concert Dance Company, she has created numerous multimedia and interdisciplinary shows, integrating aerial dance, film and video mapping and engaged in numerous collaborative ventures. In 2021, Bala produced, filmed, directed a green screen film T’Apped, in collaboration with the Compañía Nacional de Danza Costa Rica (CND) in collaboration with Mario Vircha, former artistic director and performer of the CND company. Bala currently serves on Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies board and has served on the advisory boards for UGA Ideas for Creative Exploration (ICE) and and the US-China Cultural and Education Foundation. Bala's integrated aerial dance training and creative production at UGA Dance was featured in DANCE TEACHER magazine "Bala Sarasvati Sends Students Soaring at the University of Georgia" (2017). YouTube: @Baladance Channel Instagram: @coreaerialdance
Dance Technique Approach
Experiencing dance technique through developing increased somatic awareness
Movement fundamentals to promote muscular balance, range of motion, strength, mobility and ease. Approaches, methods, physical practice enhance movement efficiency, mobility, momentum and dynamic alignment. Movement practice consists of "extreme" shape shifting, level change variations, inversions & off vertical transitions with gradated rotation and other applied 3-dimensional ROM processes.
Yoga Trapeze Approach
Applications include 1) YOGABODY Naturals Yoga Trapeze pedagogy 2) enhancing aerial dance 3) increasing flexibility and strength in dance performance 4) overall conditioning, strengthening and improved balance, control and flow for a wide range of movers and athletes.
Aerial Dance and Aerial Arts Approach - Safety, increasing strength, flexibility, flow and developing skillset are a must. Attention to details in the transitions, shape, dynamic phrasing, spatial clarity and body articulation, which clarify the final artistic expression. Technical skills in moving on-and-off apparatus - from the floor to the air to the floor - is critical. When creating aerial dance, the ultimate goal (intention, design and purpose) is to convey the images, feelings, emotional/spiritual connections through story or abstract design. Combining contemporary dance with aerial arts is central to the practice. I have explored and created for over twenty years which includes: movement explorations; focused work with experts; and numerous hours of skill development and improvisational workshopping spanning several aerial apparatus - including silks, slings, lyra (hoops), nets, trapeze, bungee and ropes.