dancer choreographer researcher teacher
dancer choreographer researcher teacher
As a dancer and choreographer, I feel it is important to be constantly growing, changing, flowing through the earth like water, responding, exploring, listening. My work finds itself in this manner, like a river flowing, trying to make sense of human connection, paying attention to each tributary. It has taken many shapes: exploration of gender through binary stereotypes and pressures,
Always, this work should leave you with more questions to pursue, explore, swim through than when you first arrived.
My movement feels natural, like breathing, expressing, feeling.
Be it with my dancers or in the movement itself, I approach my work with a tenderness that prioritizes listening above everything else.
Nerissa Tunnessen
dancer choreographer researcher teacher
As a dancer and choreographer, I feel it is important to be constantly growing, changing, flowing through the earth like water, responding, exploring, listening. My work finds itself in this manner, like a river flowing, trying to make sense of human connection, paying attention to each tributary. It has taken many shapes: exploration of gender through binary stereotypes and pressures,
Always, this work should leave you with more questions to pursue, explore, swim through than when you first arrived.
My movement feels natural, like breathing, expressing, feeling.
Be it with my dancers or in the movement itself, I approach my work with a tenderness that prioritizes listening above everything else.
Phone:
+1 (202) 441 - 7044
Email:
Nerissa Tunnessen (they/them) is a 22 year old performer, dancer, choreographer, teacher, and advocate. A graduate of Vassar College with a BA in History, Nerissa is passionate about connecting historical research and movement theory. Their recent work has explored topics of historical and present day women’s spirituality, gender identity, sexuality, mourning, community building, and the complexities of empowerment. They performed for four years and choreographed for three with the Vassar Repertory Dance Theater.
As a choreographer and teacher, they work within principles that are informed by their training in contact improvisation and other forms of partner work, Graham, Horton, contemporary ballet, flying low, Gaga, and release techniques, as well as their liberal arts education. They combine these techniques as a wholistic approach to movement as it relates to physical, spiritual, and emotional wellbeing as well as historical justice movements and advocacy.
recent work
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
Freelance Performance
"waiting / pointing" by Lou Sydel at WESTFEST
Independent Work
Residency with the Ionion Center for Arts and Culture in Metaxata, Kefalonia, Greece
While in residence at the Ionion Center, choreographed and performed "DREAMS (beyond the narrowplace)" and collaborative performance of "Improvisation to Six Poems"
Teaching
Teaching Artist with the Philadelphia Arts in Education Program Winter, Spring, and Summer terms
Vassar Repertory Dance Theater
Featured performance in works "one" by Desmond Richardson, "table and chair" by Steve Rooks, "dance in the blood" by Kirvin Boyd
Independent Work
"troyern (yiddish, to grieve)" choreographed, produced, and performed at Vassar College in "here, sincerely"
Training
Hofesh Shechter Fall Intensive, learned Hofesh style and repertory work from pieces DOUBLE MURDER and GRAND FINALE.
Vassar College Dance Department, graduated May 2022. Trained in contemporary dance, Graham, release technique, and classical ballet with Desmond Richardson, Steve Rooks, Leslie IP Sachs, John Meehan, and Miriam Mahadviani
Vassar Repertory Dance Theater
For 2021-22 season, choreographed "sheydeem tantz;" performed in works "table and chair" by Steve Rooks
For 2020-21 season, choreographed "(ex)gendered (en)change;" performed in "echo I" by Leslie IP Sachs, "reconnecting connectivity" by Camryn and Courtney Spero
Training
B12 Festival, workshops with Tom Weskler and Roser Tutusaus, Guy Nader and Maria Campos, and Fabian Wixe
Vassar College Dance Department, workshops with Hofesh Shechter
American Dance Festival Winter Intensive with Leah Cox
Teaching
Taught a weekly partnering workshop for dancers of Vassar Repertory Dance Theater as well as weekly movement workshops for actors
Theater
Movement and intimacy director for Plano, produced by Philaletheis Society, taught weekly movement workshop for actors
Directed and produced the Vassar College Rocky Horror Picture Show
Independent Projects
Performed in "we found each other in the rubble" by Hannah Littman, "in the garden" by Hannah Littman, performed and collaborated on "RENEW/DECAY" dance film
Vassar Repertory Dance Theater
For 2019-20 season, performed in "Caffeinated" by Larry Kegwin, "Salt to Sorrow" by Leslie IP Sachs, "RIKUD" by Hannah Littman, and "respire x3" by Jordan Nastif. Choreographed "carry me."
Independent Projects
Performed in "all the belongings of your or my body" dance film by Hannah Littman
Training
Vassar College Dance, with workshops from Stephan Caras and Jennifer Archibald
Workshops with Bobbi Jene Smith and Or Schriber. Daily Gaga practice with online Gaga/Dancers series.
Vassar Repertory Dance Theater
For 2018-2019 season performed in "ringside" by Steve Rooks, "SHIFT" by Leslie IP Sachs, "its a disaster (but its ok)" by Hannah Littman
Training
Vassar College Dance, with workshops from Doug Varone
Vim Vigor Fall Intensive
Independent Projects
Performed in "STEAD" by Saskia Globig. Choreographed "a study in time" on Vassar Repertory Dance Theater dancers.
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