Deriving harmony from Salsa music and disparate dance movement: Mambo - Modern - Afro Cuban - Latin Jazz - Hip Hop - Tango - Ballroom - Ballet - Swing - Jazz
Eugene and Tiffany first learned of the Netherlands Dans Theater while channel surfing. Ever watchful for good dancing, they happened upon an Arts and Culture Channel showing of the dance titled "Petite Mort" by NDT I. They were stunned by the dancer's physical ability and the choreographer's genius. They have now attended productions of both NDT I, II, and III and study them intently.
Reginald Ray-Savage founded Savage Jazz Dance Company (SJDC) in 1992. Since then, he has choreographed over 100 works inspired by the music of Charles Mingus, Dave Brubeck, Duke Ellington, and other jazz greats. Several Harmony Project dancers continue to study with Savage. His incredible dance vocabulary, precise teaching technique and spirit has been a great inspiration to THP.
Much local dance inspiration comes from ballerina Julie Lowe, jazz dancer Anne Barrett and Roger Dillahunty, hip-hop artist Christiane Crawford, Afro-Cuban dancer Susanna Arenas-Pedroso, David Weise and Valentina in Ballroom, Mayumi in Tango, and Paul and Sharon in Lindy Hop.
Felipe Polanco is one of the world's most loved salsa dancers. Felipe hails from Puerto Rico and got his start with the famous Jala Jala Dancers Group. His unique style is exciting, extremely musical, and completely natural. He formed his own company in 1996 and has mesmerized audiences around the world with his special talent. He often performs with the greatest salsa musicians improvising to their complex music. Felipe breathes the music and is naturally aware of every nuance. This ability is displayed in every choreography.
The Harmony Project's own Eugene Gleser was lucky enough to be selected by Felipe to perform at the 4th L.A. Salsa Congress and the 2002 Puerto Rico Salsa Congress. Studying dance with Felipe was a life changing event and inspires Eugene to this day. His understanding of the music, dance, and culture was profoundly changed under Felipe's tutelage and Eugene now strives to honor the legacy through The Harmony Project.
April Genovese, the lioness of salsa, has performed and danced with some of the world's finest Mambo dance companies, including Eddie Torres, Descarga Latina, and Santo Rico Dance Company. She has been teaching in Boston since 1997, is the founder of Boston's first salsa night and directs her own dance company. April is also a beautiful and intelligent person. She is generous with her time, love, and support. She has supported many of THP's dancers and inspires all of us through her classes, friendship, and dancing.
Amaryllis Cintron is known as one of the best female salsa dancers in the world. Her sensuous highly skilled style is a wonder to see and very difficult to learn. She has made several teaching trips to the SF Bay Area and was the first to expose us to the East Coast spinning technique. She is also a wonderful person, taking time to teach and socialize with everyone.
Griselle Ponce is a shining star in the salsa world. If April is a lioness, Griselle is a tigress. She is a powerful dancer with incredible stage presence. We have attempted to learn her ability to project energy. This seems to come from a natural joy in what she does. Her joy is infectious.
Members of The Harmony Project first saw Papa Tambor at the 1st L.A. Salsa Congress in 1999. At that time there were three couples. The performance was unforgettable and only matched by Felipe Polanco's show. Their impeccable rhythm, effusive energy, and tight footwork sequences make them the most dynamic troupe of dancers out there. We are greatly inspired by their earthiness and undeniable sensuality.
Juan Matos inspires us to do something different. He has the most uniqe dance technique of anyone. Juan has made several trips out here to teach and we were honored to get to know him. He even borrowed Eugene's dance shoes for a local show. Those shoes have given good luck ever since.
Franklin Diaz and Frankie Martinez are both inspirations to our dancers. Franklin's athletic ability and dance persona make him electric on stage and Frankie's prowess and growth as a dancer is undeniable. All of THP's men have taken classes from both of these great instructors and been effected by the experience.
The Harmony Project has hundreds of musical inspirations. We are constantly discovering new fascinating music by all sorts of musicians. We feel that we've only scratched the surface of the musical genre called "Salsa." We hope to use much of what we consider the best in our choreography. Here are a few of our very favorite musicians and songs.
Cuarteto Oriente: "Mueve La Cintura Mulata."
Africando: "Mandali" the album.
El Gran Combo: every song on the 30 year anniversary album.
Ricardo Lemvo: "El Son De Llama."
Eddie Palmieri: "Sujetate La Lengua," "Cafe (slow version)."
Willie Colon: "Sigue Feliz."
Tito Puente: every song on the "50 years of swing" album.
Faustino Oramas: "Como Baila Marieta."
Chico O'Farrill: "L.A. Mambo."
Larry Harlow: "Salsa Panama."
Los Nemus: "Para La Luna," the album.
Machito: "El Manicero" (anything really).
Perez Prado: "The Freeway Mambo."
Ray Barretto: "Acid."
Sonora Poncena: "Ahora Si," "La Pollera Colora."
Hector Lavoe: "La Murga."
Ruben Gonzalez: "Mandinga."
MamboRama: "Angelita."
Cachao: "Sociedad Antonio Maceo."
Cal Tjader: "Lucero."
Cuco Valoy: "Mentirosa."
Ismael Rivera: "Agua Kay Va Caer."
Joe Cuba: "Prestame La Olla Teresa."