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Biography

A performer, choreographer, producer, teacher, writer/theorist and administrator, Erinn seeks to refine her creative interest in rhythmic and musical dance, specifically jazz and socially-related forms, through a series of many expected and unexpected experiences. A 2007 BFA Dance/ Political Science graduate of the University of Minnesota, her choreography has been seen with the Eclectic Edge Ensemble, Alberta Dance Explosions at Dancer's Studio West in Calgary, Canada, and in independently produced shows at the Red Eye, Lowry Lab, and most recently at the Bedlam Theatre in sold-out project Rhythmically Speaking, a local jazz choreographer's collective show. She performs regularly with the Eclectic Edge Ensemble, the Wild Goose Chase Cloggers, and frequently in pick-up projects, and has had the opportunity to work with the St. Paul City Ballet, Karla Grotting of the Flying Foot Forum and JAZZDANCE, Judith James of JAZZDANCE, Erica Pinigis, Kaleena Miller, Linda Talcott Lee and Zoe Sealy, Decidely Jazz Danceworks of Calgary and the Pat Graney Company of Seattle. Her interest in the development of jazz and vernacular dance recently took her up to Calgary to study extensively with DJD for a year. She enjoys sunshine when it is raining, being Midwestern, and trying to cultivate too many interests as once; namely, expanding her knowledge of jazz, social, world and vernacular dance and music to create projects that encourage the development of jazz and vernacular dance in the Twin Cities.

 

Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts University of Minnesota- TC
Major/ Minor: Dance/ Political Science G.P.A: 3.75
Graduation: May 2007, with Honors Dean’s List: Spring 2004 – Spring 2007

Modern: Erin Thompson, Paula Mann, Emilie Plauche- Flink, Joanie Smith &
Danny Shapiro, Carl Flink, Toni Pierce-Sands
Ballet: Tina Anderson, Toni Pierce- Sands, Ron Tice
Jazz: Linda Talcott- Lee, Karla Grotting, Zoe Sealy
Tap: Karla Grotting, Zoe Sealy
Improvisation: Paula Mann
Academics: Dance History: Ananya Chatterjea
Dance Anatomy: Pamela Gleason
Dance as a Culture Practice: Marge Maddux
Dance Production: Bonnie Schock
Composition: Carl Flink, Joanie Smith, Paula Mann, Toni Pierce

Training

- Professional Program, Decidedly Jazz Dance, Calgary, AB, CA 9/08-5/09
- Zenon Dance Company and School, “Block E” scholarship program 2002-2008
Modern: Erin Thompson, John Munger, Deborah Thayer, Megan Flood, Mathew Janczewski
Jazz: Judith James-Ries, Allison Rubin Forester, Laura Selle, Karis Sloss
Ballet: Lisa Roubal, Becky Stanchfield
Hip-Hop: Ricky Stokes, Stephany Shapso
Tap: Stephanie Harmon, Kaleena Miller
- Dance Institute, Ballet, Ron Tice 06/07-08/08
- Jump Rhythm Jazz Project summer intensive, Billy Siegenfeld, Chicago, IL 7/08, 7/09
- Appalachian Clogging, Wild Goose Chase Cloggers, Mpls, MN 01/08-05/08
- Modern classes at The Place, London 7/07
- Lou Conte & Giordano Summer Session classes, Chicago, IL 6/07
- “Jazz Immersion” Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, Calgary, Alberta, Canada 8/06
- “Limon Company Summer Workshop,” Risa Steinberg, New York, NY 7/05

Work

- Company Member/ Marketing Specialist, Eclectic Edge Ensemble 5/06 - Present
Media and Communications skills tuned to local arts scene
- Summer Education Asst/ Camp Coordinator, Youth Performance Company, Mpls, MN 6/09 – 8/09
- Marketing Intern, Calgary Arts Development, Calgary, AB, Canada 10/08 – 5/09
- Front of House, Alberta Theater Projects, Calgary, AB 9/08 – 5/09
- Assistant Audience Services Manager, Southern Theater 8/07 – 8/08
Volunteer coordination and training, box office management, general office duties
- Public Relations Manager, Ananya Dance Theatre 1/08 – 6/08
General dance-focused public relations and marketing activities
- University Theater Marketing Associate and House Manager, Minneapolis, MN 1/06 – 5/07
Arts marketing and event management skills
- Minnesota Citizens for the Arts Campus Arts Advocates program intern 12/06 - 3/07
Self-motivated worker; organizing and running own program
- Special Events Intern, Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 5/06 - 8/06
Event planning and management skills

 

Teaching

- Guest Dance Teacher, Minnesota 4H Programs, various locations 6/03 – Present
- Summer jazz workshops and substituting, Zenon Dance Company & School, Mpls, MN 6/09
- Freehouse Dance Plus, Calgary, AB, Canada 10/08 – 5/09
- Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, Calgary, AB, Canada 10/08 – 5/09
Adult Funk sub
Teen Hip Hop sub
- Dance Xchange, Edina, MN 6/07-8/08
2-4 yr old ‘Club Dance’ classes
6-8 yr old ‘Tap & Jazz’ classes
6-8 yr old ‘Hip Hop’ classes
10-14 yr old ‘Hip Hop’ classes
10-14 r old ‘Tap & Jazz’ classes
- BALLAREteatro, Minneapolis, MN 06/07-08/07
Adult Jazz
Adult Modern
- MN State 4H Arts-In Student Director/ Choreographer, Mpls, MN 8/04 & 8/07

 

Performance

- Wild Goose Chase Cloggers member, 09 - Present
- Eclectic Edge Ensemble company member, 06-Present
- "Rhythmically Speaking," in work by myself and Karla Grotting, Bedlam Theatre 08/09
- “Live and In Synch” School Tour, Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, Calgary, AB, Canada 2/09 – 3/09
- “Sirocco/ Flow,” in work by Kaleena Miller, Ritz 07/07
- “Jazz Faculty Concert,” in work by Karla Grotting, Linda Talcott Lee, Karis Sloss, U of M, 12/06
- “Women,” Xpressions of Faith dance company, Spiritual Fringe Festival, Mpls, MN 5/08
- “Ooh La Lounge,” in work by Erica Pinigis, Varsity Theatre 9/07
- “Commencement Dances,” with Jolene Konkel,U of M 05/07
- “Enticed,” Saint Paul City Ballet, choreographed by Christa Hill, Paramount and O'Shaugnessy Theatres, 03/07
- “Faith,” in work by Pat Graney of the Pat Graney Company, U of M 2/07
- “Relish,” in work by Hannah Stilwell of Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, U of M 12/04
- “Battle of the Bands,” in work by Zoe Sealy, Ted Mann 04/05

 

Choreography - Please contact for work samples, or visit www.erinnliebhard.com

- "One Better," Rhythmically Speaking concert, Bedlam Theatre 08/09
- “Polar Places,” Footprints concert with Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, Calgary, AB, Canada 05/09
- “Sputtered Potential,” Alberta Dance Explosions Festival, Calgary, AB, Canada 2/09
- "Up Jumped the Devil," a part of “Co-Motion: Emerging Twin Cities Dance Artists Make a Scene,” self-produced at the Lowry Lab Theater, 08/08
- "LabelNation," a part of “Co-Motion”
- "Rosie Circles Death," a part of“Lulladreams & Insomnimares, an evening of original choreography by Erinn Liebhard and Erica Pinigis,” Red Eye Theater 01/08
- "Omni-Insolantia," a part of“Lulladreams & Insomnimares
- "Daydream 1.999," a part of“Lulladreams & Insomnimares
- “Assumed Hello’s,” Jazz Faculty Concert, U of M 12/06
- "Coffee, Not Home," U of M, (work sample on website) 05/05

 

Production

- “Hit It! Festival” production stage manager, Southern Theater 12/07
- Student Dance Concert technical manager, BBCD 04/05

 

Research and Writing

- “From Ears To Eyes,” article with jazz dance viewing advice for lovers of jazz music 07/09
Published in July Coda, online magazine by Twin Cities Jazz Society
- Dance writer, Fast Forward Weekly, Calgary, AB, Canada 10/08 – 5/09
http://www.ffwdweekly.com/article/arts/dance/community-of-performers-2876/