Nashville is a hub for dance. But just as the sentiment “Nashville is more than just country music” has become so overused that it verges on cliché, it should go without saying that Nashville is more than just line dancing, as well.
The Nashville Ballet was established in 1986, and Tennessee Dance Theatre formed in 1993. But in recent years the dance scene has exploded, with new productions from groups including New Dialect, Enactor Productions, Garage Co., Py Dance, Visionary Vocal Collaborative, Shackled Feet, Mauve Taupe, and on and on. And that’s not to mention the bevy of community classes, which lower the dance world’s barrier for entry. The city’s vibrant dance community is made up of a closely connected web of personalities who are making some of the most interesting, progressive and exciting pieces of art in town.
In this week’s issue, we explore Nashville dance in three parts — Nashville Ballet’s role in helping a classic art form evolve; the city’s vibrant modern dance scene; and opportunities for those looking to learn and practice different dance styles.
Talking to artistic director and CEO Nick Mullikin about how a classic art form continues to evolve
Talking to Banning Bouldin and Becca Hoback about moving contemporary dance forward in Nashville
Talking to local dance instructors about how people of all skill levels can get involved
Banning Bouldin, Becca Hoback and Shabaz Ujima
