Arts & Culture: Sarasota Contemporary Dance

I have recently joined the board of Sarasota Contemporary Dance (SCD).  Part of the reason is that I believe that SCD is on the verge of greatness but also because they are going to be a neighbor in the Rosemary District. What I see in SCD is the parallel to the Westcaost Black Theatre Troupe.   Both are approximately the same age, both are driven by amazingly talented founders and both founders are dedicated to mentor young talent and to give back to the community. SCD is recognized for its extraordinary level of high-energy, contemporary dance and collaborative performances with artists of various genres. Please learn more by going to http://www.sarasotacontemporarydance.org.  

- Michael Bush

Leymis Bolaños Wilmott and Rachael Inman began working together in Florida State University’s graduate program and in 2002 they founded Fuzión Dance, the first professional contemporary dance company in Sarasota.  After a decade of establishing its presence under the continued Artistic Direction, Fusion Dance became Sarasota Contemporary Dance. The organization felt it was time for a change, and under this new name have become a mainstay arts organization in the region.

Leymis Bolaños Wilmott, encourages creativity, and cultivates joy by sharing the art of dance for people living with Parkinson disease. Wilmott was selected by Sarasota’s Parkinson Place to be trained in the internationally recognized Dance For PD Program through the Mark Morris Dance Group and Brooklyn Parkinson Group (danceforparkinsons.org). Sarasota Contemporary Dance has provided year-long bi-weekly dance classes at Sarasota’s Parkinson Place, funded by the Parkinson Research Foundation, since October 2012. The model developed by Sarasota Contemporary Dance's Artistic Director includes a live Percussionist and Teaching Assistants who work with the participants throughout class with the use of touch, facilitating the participants movement, and expanding their physical capacity and strength. In 2014 the company was given the Leadership Award in Arts and healthcare at the Arts and Cultural Alliance's 14th annual Awards Celebration. Ms. Wilmott received a scholarship in 2015 to the three-day Professional Development workshop in hopes to enhance her  "Dance for Parkinson" classes but more importantly continue to bring the benefits of dance for all people.

“One of many things that I am very proud of this company for is the outreach program. All my dance training came from the public school system magnet schools. I started dancing in Junior High (now known as middle school) in 7th grade. I was so thankful that they had arts in the schools and this allowed me to experience various dance styles at an early age. Therefore, when I founded the company we immediately began partnering with both Sarasota and Manatee county schools. Currently, our company members are trained teaching artists and partner with EdExplore, Libraries in the area, VSA, DJJ, Boys & Girls Club, and the Sarasota County School System. Once our in school programs were established we decided to expand our company's offerings and began to nurture outside of the school setting. That is when the vision for our one week summer intensives emerged. “

What participants are saying about Dance for Parkinson class …
It’s always different …
I love the live drumming …
I am able to do a lot more than I had expected …
I wish I could take this class more often …