Jacksonville Based Suzanne Saltmarsh Presented OBStacleS in NYC with Douglas Anderson Graduates

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - April 28, 2015 - PRLog -- JACKSONVILLE, FL. April 18^th, 2015— Local dance teacher and choreographer, Suzanne Saltmarsh, presented “OBStacleS” at the Martha Graham Studio Theatre on April 11^th and 12^th in New York City. Saltmarsh danced alongside former students of hers, all graduates of Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, who continue to flourish in their dance careers.

“OBStacleS” was a celebration of 30 years of mentoring from Ethel Winter, a beloved dance teacher to Saltmarsh. Winter brought zeal and versatility to the stage as a performer with the Martha Graham Dance Company, and her passion for dance was evident in her many years as a teacher. With her, Saltmarsh brought six former students, all graduates of Douglas Anderson School of the Arts in Jacksonville. Dancers Hilary Bodin, Landes Dixon, Matt Doolin, Ruth Howard, Mikaila Koenig, Robert Stevenson IV danced alongside Saltmarsh in this authentic and remarkable performance.

Saltmarsh has a rich history in Jacksonville. She grew up in the Jacksonville community, where she and a neighbor would put on dance shows for an audience in a San Marco park. She was also one of the first students at the Florida Ballet in downtown Jacksonville. Growing up, Saltmarsh learned the value of art from her mom, Anne Salthmarsh Lasher, long time art teacher and trail blazer for art programs in Duval County schools. Her mom taught many art students who now hold prestigious positions in the Jacksonville art community. Because of her mom, Saltmarsh is brilliantly inspired by collaborating with visual artists.

In “OBStacleS” Saltmarsh utilized a combination of dance and visual production to illustrate the obstacles, struggles and doubt falls we experience in life. For Saltmarsh, this ballet was also a learning experience, melding together art and technology. While many of the dancers reside in NYC, Saltmarsh held multiple rehearsals through Skype while in her Jacksonville home. “It forced me to look at my work in a different way” says Saltmarsh. Through a mesh of live and virtual rehearsals connecting the dancers across a wide geographical distance, Saltmarsh witnessed the many layers of her choreography emerge. “I believe that this fragmentation and layering of the ballet is similar to people growing and changing in life.”

Saltmarsh founded SaltmarshDANCE in 1999 as a vehicle to demonstrate her continuous passion for performing, choreographing and teaching. In her choreography she utilizes a collaboration in the arts, music, dance, theater, architecture, visual arts and literature. Saltmarsh has performed with companies such as the Martha Graham Dance Company and San Francisco Opera Ballet. As a dance educator and choreographer, she has worked with institutions such as Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, LaVilla School of the Arts, Jacksonville University and the Marin Ballet.

For more information about Suzanne Saltmarsh and Saltmarsh Dance, visit her online at www.saltmarshDANCE.com