VISIONS Contemporary Ballet mission is to explore the many possibilities of the human experience through dance. To provoke thought, give new meaning to life and inspire passion for knowledge through the discipline and art of dance.
RANARDO-DOMEICO GRAYS, artistic director/choreographer VISIONS Contemporary Ballet. SAG, AEA, native Detroit, Michigan, has performed with Hartford City Ballet, Rebecca Kelly Ballet, Urban Wash Dance Company at the 4th Annual International Dance festival NYC, LaToya Jackson Tour, Garth Fagan, Zack Morris, Celebrity Cruises and has toured throughout the United States, Canada, Caribbean and Europe. Alumni of The Juilliard School and California Institute of the Arts (BFA), also studied at the Alvin Ailey School, and prior to graduating high school he studied and performed with the University of Michigan faculty, and is a graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy. He has appeared in several feature films, this past March he was a principle actor on the pilot ""Caterbury's Law", directed by Mike Figgis,. Ranardo plays prisoner #2, he plays the photographer’s assistant in "The Devil and Daniel Webster", staring and directed by Alec Baldwin, and was seen in the independent film "Slow Jam King" as the photographer, which played the Atlanta, Georgia Spaghetti Junction Urban Film Festival, and in New York at the Imagination Theater. He has done television such as "The Nanny". He was the choreographer/co-host VH-1 "Rock of Ages", worked in many TV commercials, has done off Broadway Theater and danced/choreographed for many pop artist. Ranardo recently modeled for "Felissimo" magazine, and appeared in articles in the Tuesday 28th, November 2006 issue of Metro Times, "A Chorus Line' meets gym workout at NYSC" and Thursday 23rdNovember issue of New York Times "Three Ways to Burn Up Those Holiday Calories" for his dance workshop based on the hit musical 'A Chorus Line'. He was a featured guest on the WB 11 Morning Show "Truly Julie", showcasing his choreography and dance workshop based on the hit musical "Sweet Charity". Currently teaching dance and fitness at New York Sports Club/Town Sports International, he recently taught an Afro-Latin dance workshop for American Express Company at NYSC with rave reviews. He is formerly a Director of Dance of Morris High School, where he staged and choreographed "Bye Bye Birdie", "West Side Story" and "Little Shop of Horrors". He presented Master Classes in Contemporary Ballet at Marygrove College and The Detroit Windsor Dance Theater, choreographing premiere works on the company. His company debuted in New York June 2005 at the Producers Club to a sold out audience, premiered "Tainted Black" a 20 minute original contemporary ballet work., appeared as guest artist with the Tina Thompson Dance Fitness Theater 2006 at the Tribecca Performing Arts Center, premiering "Sleek White Candle. He is happy to be co-producing with Blue Muse Dance.
Rebekah J. Kennedy is the Artistic Director and choreographer of the Urban Wash Dance Company. Born and raised in New York City, she holds an MFA in Dance (Choreography) from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a BS in Dance and Theatre from Skidmore College. She has choreographed for and performed in various projects throughout the eastern United States including the International Dance Festival, DRA’s Remember Project, University Settlement, Spiegel Tent, Dance Space, Wax, and the Joyce Soho. Her choreography has been performed by Forward Motion Theater, Eye Wash, the Sidelong Dance Company, the Informal Theatre Company, Artistika’s Featured Artist Series, the Open Your Eyes Foundation, and the UNC Greensboro Department of Dance. She has performed with BJ Sullivan, the Sidelong Dance Company, the John Gamble Dance Theatre, Visions Contemporary Dance Company, Esse Aficionado, Mereminne Dancers, Millicent Johnnie and Dancers, Illstyle Rockers, and others. Kennedy has been both a guest artist and a featured artist throughout North Carolina, including at the North Carolina School of the Arts. This is her second season with Visions and third season dancing with Ranardo. Rebekah is also a wine consultant for Martin Scott Wines in Manhattan.
Emily Schuler is from North Hampton, NH, and studied ballet, tap and jazz at New Hampshire Academy of Performing Arts as a member of the Seacoast Civic Dance Company. She also danced with Boston Youth Moves at Jeanette Neill Dance Studio. Emily holds a B.A. in English from Connecticut College, where she trained with Dan Wagoner, Jeremy Nelson, Robyn Watkin, and George de la Pena. She works in PR for a fashion accessories company. This is her first performance with VISIONS Contemporary Ballet.
Justin Patrick was born in Jamaica and trained as a pianist at the Royal College of Music in London and at Boston University's College of Fine Arts, where he earned his bachelor's degree in music in 2001. He began studying dance while a graduate student at Columbia University, where he was a member of Orchesis, Columbia's dance group. This is his first performance with VISIONS Contemporary Ballet.
Hassan Blandford N.Y. Hassan began his dance training at the La Guardia Performing Arts H.S. He was also trained at the School of American Ballet, The Rock School and The Juilliard School. Hassan has danced with the Atlanta Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, Donald Byrd the Group, and as a guest artist with many local and regional dance companies. In 2001 Hassan began teaching Ballet at local dance studios within the tri-state area and for the Dept.of Education at Bronx Dance Academy and is currently a substitute dance teacher at La Guardia H.S. This is his first performance with VISIONS Contemporary Ballet.
VISIONS Contemporary Ballet will present:
“Armondo” (2005)
Choreographed & performed by Ranardo-Domeico Grays
Music by Alan Silvestri
Arranged/Mixed by Damon L. White
Voice by Ranardo-Domeico Grays
Poem/Lyrics by Lydia, Orlando, Yalonda, and Ranardo Grays
“Errol “(premiere)
-Traits of a Taurus-
Choreographed by Ranardo-Domeico Grays
Music mixed by Damon L. White
I. Birth
Music by William Byrd /God’s By Design/Boys & Girls Choir of Harlem
Performed by Rebekah J. Kennedy & Justin Patrick
II.
Touched
Music by Peter Rauhofer/Live @ Roxy
Performed by Hassan Blandford
III.
Legacy
Music by Martijn Ten & Ma/I Love New York
Performed by Rebekah J. Kennedy, Justin Patrick,
Emily Schuler and Ranardo-Domeico Grays
*This Ballet is in memory and dedication to Errol Fahey, loved adored and missed,
fellow friend and dancer who has moved on to higher places. Praise be to the Lord.