Mark Morris
About Mark Morris
Mark Morris, born on August 29, 1956, in Seattle, Washington, is an esteemed choreographer and the artistic director of the Mark Morris Dance Group, renowned for his deep musicality and extensive contributions to dance and opera.
Mark Morris: Artistic Director and Choreographer
Mark Morris, born on August 29, 1956, in Seattle, Washington, is a renowned artistic director and choreographer. He has an extensive background in dance, having studied with notable teachers Verla Flowers and Perry Brunson during his early years. Morris's professional career includes performances with prominent dance companies such as Lar Lubovitch, Hannah Kahn, Laura Dean, Eliot Feld, and the Koleda Balkan Dance Ensemble. In 1980, he founded the Mark Morris Dance Group (MMDG), which has become a significant force in the world of contemporary dance.
Mark Morris Dance Group (MMDG)
Mark Morris founded the Mark Morris Dance Group (MMDG) in 1980. MMDG has been recognized for its innovative choreography and musicality, with Morris creating over 150 works for the company. The group is celebrated for its commitment to live music and has performed at numerous prestigious venues worldwide. Morris's direction emphasizes the deep connection between dance and music, which has become a hallmark of the company’s performances.
Mark Morris's Collaborations and Projects
In addition to founding the Mark Morris Dance Group, Mark Morris has engaged in various significant collaborations and projects. Notably, he served as the Director of Dance at the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie in Brussels from 1988 to 1991. He also co-founded the White Oak Dance Project with Mikhail Baryshnikov in 1990. His work spans beyond dance, integrating into the opera world, with directing and choreographing credits at The Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, English National Opera, and The Royal Opera, Covent Garden.
Mark Morris's Musical Contributions
Mark Morris is noted for his exceptional musicality in choreography, often conducting performances for the Mark Morris Dance Group since 2006. He has conducted at illustrious venues such as the Tanglewood Music Center, Lincoln Center, and BAM. Morris was the Music Director for the Ojai Music Festival in 2013. His deep musical understanding is a critical component of his choreographic process, highlighting his commitment to the intersection of music and dance.
Awards and Recognitions of Mark Morris
Mark Morris's contributions to dance and music have been widely recognized. He was named a Fellow of the MacArthur Foundation in 1991 and has received eleven honorary doctorates. His accolades include the Samuel H. Scripps/American Dance Festival Award for Lifetime Achievement and the Leonard Bernstein Lifetime Achievement Award for the Elevation of Music in Society. In 2015, he was inducted into the Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney Hall of Fame at the National Museum of Dance in Saratoga Springs, New York. Morris is also a Doris Duke Artist and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Philosophical Society.