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With enormous technical sophistication, Young dominates the stage with eloquent yet somehow private phrases—personalized—unique to this woman and this moment. Nothing else on the program matched Young’s “Jazz Improvisations” for a genuine dance reflection of something heard, felt, or remembered.
~ Lewis Segal, Los Angeles Times, 1985 L. Martina Young choreographed [to Ray Pizzi’s compositions] as if she had studied every twist and turn and phrase in Pizzi’s writing. This was indeed poetry in motion, the best integration of dance and jazz performance I’ve seen in years. ~ Leonard Feather, Los Angeles Times, 1986 L. Martina Young danced Donald McKayle's imperishable solo “Angelitos Negros," [with] noble vulnerability. ~ Chris Pasles, Los Angeles Times, 1995 It is thrilling to see Young’s sublime artistry on display ~ ~ Jack Neal, Nevada Events, 2001 The unsung hero of the stage [is] L. Martina Young, who performs as The Mute in The Fantasticks—though in Young’s case, [she] really should be called The Muse. Sometimes Young interprets the music with her body, adding depth and intensity. [Other] times she is a participant—and often an instigator. Her movements are gorgeous or hilarious as needed, and always combined with a face so expressive that words are never necessary. ~ Adrienne Rice, Reno News & Review, 2002 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 2020 Professional Community Comments ~ The Swan performance with the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra https://www.dropbox.com/s/0n76kii0cffpqdf/Swan%202020%20(1).mp4?dl=0 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Stunning! You fully and holistically embodied every second of that piece. Not one empty gesture could be found. So special to witness such deep whole-person engagement. I loved the backward walking in entrance and loved the single arm bird-like arm gestures of the exit. I thought that using just the one arm made it mysteriously more impactful, like your swan-ness was emerging out of your humanness. I enjoyed what you said about the "in-between" times as it resonated with how that theme is honored in Celtic Shamanism as "threshold time" and also the "acknowledgment of loss is an important aspect of Chinese Medicine associated with the metal element. So many beautiful multicultural associations here. May art continue to nourish us all. Thank you for sharing this beautiful work with the world — Joanna Cashman, Movement Specialist, https://www.joannacashman.com Martina, your performance was lovely! Thank you for continuing to share your dance, your writing, your voice!—Lula Washington, Artistic Director, Lula Washington Dance Theater, https://www.lulawashington.org HOMAGE from your HEART & SOUL.....you ARE INSIDE the MUSIC; so Beautifully.... Blessed to have you SHARE it with ME....&....You GOT ME MOVING with YOU; there's MORE to SEE from YOU — Michael Podwal, Pilates Professional Teacher, https://www.fletcherpilates.com/faculty/michael-podwal/ Perfection!!! -- Mary Lee Fulkerson, Weaver, http://maryleefulkerson.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * It was perfection and I could’ve watched for an hour mesmerized; [she] moves like liquid gold — Susan Boskoff, Former Executive Director, Nevada Arts Council, https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-boskoff-216b36a Her dancing is amazing and poetic! — David Tscheekar, Visual Artist, https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-tscheekar-a9b76558 So beautiful; a magnificent artist -- Mary Miller, Flutist, Reno Philharmonic Orchestra, https://www.rgj.com/story/life/arts/2014/10/14/scott-faulkner-many-talents-flutist-mary-miller/17271155/ Exquisite in every way!!! Just an EPIC performance [with] Martina and The Phil! — Kathleen Kimmel, Opera Artist, https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathy-kimmel-6a07691a An exquisite performance: delicte, nuanced, the embodiment of a swan. — Nancy Kamalaya Hart, Co-Creator and Board Member, Boundless Freedom Project, https://www.boundlessfreedom.org/?fbclid=IwAR1BDzTMb3gqcJ--zAVLk8Be_5PAUOUrNd1Wl-KSkXBgCdL0wHDfvK_lZmI [A]bsolutely exquisite. The fluidity of her arms are amazing !!! [She] captures my own moment of solitude ❤️ — Leslie Sisson, Dance Educator Excellent performance! — Jeffrey A. Leep, Bassonist, Reno Philharmonic Orchestra, https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-leep-19406311 Martina: your performance [with] the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra was lovely. Your composition, your entrance backwards, like swans often seem to be flowing with whatever direction the current may carry them, and then your exit facing forward but leaving the audience with the powerful wings beating towards another destiny perhaps? [And] your moments of dramatic stillness and expressive emotions of your face, quite captivating. — Cheryl Banks-Smith, Dance Artist-Educator, https://www.sarahswensondance.com/cheryl-banks-smith.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * |
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This project has been funded, in part, by the Nevada Arts Council, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
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