Professor Chanon Judson Performs at The Joyce Theater

Congratulations to Visiting Associate Professor of Dance Chanon Judson, who is in the middle of a 12-performance run at the Joyce Theater in New York City as part of Dancing with Glass: The Piano Etudes, celebrating the 85th birthday of composer Philip Glass.  

In Dancing with Glass: The Piano Etudes, five new choreographic perspectives on The Etudes are presented alongside a performance by guest pianist Maki Namekawa, one of the world’s foremost interpreters of Glass’ music. The show features works by post-modern innovator Lucinda Childs, Judson of Urban Bush Women, Justin Peck of New York City Ballet, Brazilian tap artist Leonardo Sandoval, and Los Angeles-based choreographers Bobbi Jene Smith and Or Schraiber.

Over the course of his illustrious career, Glass conceived The Etudes as a set of solo piano works to expand his piano technique. Now amongst Glass’ most popular works, The Etudes have inspired performances and interpretations from artists worldwide.

"I became involved via conversation with Philip Glass's management, Pomegranate Arts (Alisa Regas and Linda Brumbach)," Judson explained. "I was sharing my lifelong love for Philip Glass, and introduction to his work as a middle school student in (dance instructor) Leslie Wexler's class at Buffalo Academy for the Visual and Performing Arts, and the way his work provided time for visioning, grieving, and transcending amid COVID. 

"At the time this concert was still in the ideal phase for them. Based on that conversation, I became the first commissioned artist for the program.  My relationship with Pomegranate has largely been through their producing Taylor Mac. I was a performer and choreographic assistant in the 24 Decades Celebration, and chorographer for Mac's The Hang. They're also thought partners to Urban Bush Women founder Jawole Zollar and serve as mentors for our Choreographic Center Initiative."