Since 1997, the American Festival for the Arts (AFA) and Houston Ballet have provided a unique collaborative opportunity for the Summer Intensive Program students. Interested students work hand-in-hand with young aspiring composers to produce original works of both dance and music. This “world-premiere” is unique to Houston Ballet and offers students the exciting chance to explore the techniques and process of creating, rehearsing, and performing short pieces of original choreography. Since its inception, students have created over 125 new creations.
STUDENT TESTIMONY
AFA is about building a piece from scratch alongside a composer who is creating the music in real time.
“Sometimes the choreographer wants a steady beat, but the composer has a completely different vision. Watching them work it out was a real learning experience," says Houston Ballet II dancer Nathaniel Geis on performing an original piece by classmate Iris Bech.
Houston Ballet II dancer AvaGrace Mazuchowski experienced AFA from the other side as a first-time choreographer. She paired with a composer whose adventurous, romance-inspired score matched her concept of longing.
“His piece was originally seven minutes, but for my storyline that was too long. We worked together to shorten it to about three minutes. I’d give guidelines so I didn’t take away from his voice. It was both of our work.”
Rehearsal for Together, Apart, Together Again, by AvaGrace Mazuchowski. Photo by Alana Campbell.
Learn more about the AFA process from our dancers and composers themselves by clicking the link below to watch videos from previous summers.