By KATHRYN HIRSTEIN

Twenty dynamic and determined dancers will graduate this year from the Juilliard Dance Division, and this group of young artists receives a special opportunity this month to publicly express their identity as emerging artists. Juilliard's annual Senior Dance Production, taking place each April, offers graduating dancers the chance to plan, coordinate, and execute all aspects of a traditional evening-length concert. If you've met members of this graduating dance class, you know that they exude tremendous talent and tenacity. Coordinating a concert to showcase their diverse and distinct aesthetic tastes could easily descend into chaos. But under the guidance of two just-as-determined faculty mentors, Risa Steinberg and Aaron Landsman, the graduating dance class of 2006 will come together offering an evening of fearless and unforgettable works for this year's Senior Dance Production.

Risa Steinberg in José Limón's A Suite From A Choreographic Offering. (Photo by Tom Caravaglia)

While the Senior Dance Production appears to its audiences as one night of entertainment, it is actually a class, meeting every Friday morning at 9 a.m. as part of the Dance Division's weekly schedule. Those of you who were seniors once (or are seniors now) know that rising for a creative-planning class on a Friday morning can be quite a test of will. And this particular class tests the commitment of the senior dancers to rally behind a common creative vision—a skill required for success in the real world, where every hour of planning can make a big difference.

As the academic year progresses, the raw ideas presented by the eager seniors at the beginning become more refined. The overall vision for the April concert emerges as they discuss methods of publicity, advertising, and fund-raising, and coordinate rehearsals and meetings with a network of support staff from the Dance Division and the prop and costume departments. The senior dancers also call upon their peers in the third-year class, who are engaged in a technical Dance Production class taught by Stan Pressner with the goal of designing original lighting for the concert. Throughout the entire collaborative process, the extra eyes, ears, and voices of experience provided by Steinberg and Landsman play a major role in sharpening the raw energy, emotion, commitment, and passion of the senior dance class.

"I love resolving chaos," says Steinberg, who has been a mentor for the Senior Production class for two years. While not downplaying the challenge, Steinberg also passionately affirms the value of the process she and Landsman guide. "It's a fascinating time for them to self-identify who they've become. It's a really profound experience to observe and to guide." A dancer who has experienced much success and international recognition as a solo performing artist, Steinberg knows first-hand that self realization is a major asset to every artist. "If you don't know what you believe in, you don't know what you want, then you have no ground to really stand on to debate and to discuss."

Aaron Landsman in a performance still. (Photo by Matthias Geiger)

Mentor Aaron Landsman also believes in the value of the Senior Dance Production for the graduating dance class. According to him, it provides a taste of the whole process involving empathy—not just for fellow dancers, but for all involved in the endeavors of an artistic production. Landsman himself carries a long list of roles as writer, director, actor, and "hack dancer" (his words) for numerous New York City-based theater projects. Now in his fourth year as a mentor for the Senior Production class, Landsman introduces the seniors to key production terminology, stressing the importance of managing a budget as well as gaining confidence in an evolving product. He enjoys working alongside Steinberg, appreciating the combination of their strengths and leadership methods. "Risa knows how to communicate about dance in a pretty incredible way ... I tend to listen to more music than she does. If someone says, 'I need music for my piece,' she looks at me. If someone says, 'I need to know how to get these dancers to move better,' I look at her."

Steinberg and Landsman complement each another, and the seniors voice their confidence in them as well. Senior choreographer Harumi Terayama credits them with fostering her artistic exploration in a process that has evolved since she was sidelined from dancing by a knee injury last fall. "This is the first time I feel like I'm doing my job as a choreographer," Terayama says. Her injury has prompted her to find a new approach to choreography. Usually beginning with an exploration of movement, this time she began with a conceptual inspiration. Under the guidance of her mentors, Terayama's project—inspired by the vision of shadows from Plato's "Allegory of the Cave"—has grown into a clear physical reality. Terayama has never felt inhibited by the network of collaborators involved in Senior Production, seeing her choreography as one part of a greater project. "I don't feel like it's my piece, but I'm creating one piece with everybody," she explains.

Senior Dance Production Clark Theater, Rose Building Thursday, April 27-Sunday, April 30 For time and ticket information, please see the calendar.

Likewise, fellow senior and choreographer Bennyroyce Royon says that Steinberg and Landsman have helped him refine his original visions—those of bringing the "movies or dances in [his] dreams" to life. "They've helped me clarify my ideas and have encouraged me to go into deeper investigation about my work. I don't find myself a very articulate person, so having someone to guide me in the right direction is very necessary for me to identify myself."

Steinberg, Landsman, Terayama, and Royon also agree on something else—the quality of the upcoming Senior Dance Production. Royon calls his class "fearless to express ideas." Terayama suggests that, since Juilliard seniors see and dance great choreography under the guidance of the Dance Division, they inherently have high standards that they bring to their own student-produced work. Steinberg calls the class "tough, anxious, and smart ... willing to test boundaries." Through this process, she's seen the senior class examine who they were, how they've changed, and who they are now. Landsman guarantees that "the confidence and enthusiasm is really evident throughout every aspect of this production ... The audience's experience is really considered from the moment they get off the elevator."

While the senior dancers have committed to rising for the 9 a.m. Senior Production class all year, all you have to do is show up for this ambitious performance. With this tenacious and determined class, you're in for a treat!

Kathryn Hirstein is a fourth-year dance student.