Meet the Hart-Beat of Contemporary Dance
L.A.-Based Hart Pulse Dance Company Kicks Off Tour with S.B. Show
What is new in contemporary dance? Well, Hart Pulse Dance Company (HPDC) is celebrating its ninth year but is still as fresh and innovative as ever. This dynamic contemporary dance company, based in Los Angeles, is embarking on a four-city California tour, starting at Santa Barbara’s Center Stage Theater on Sunday, March 22, at 3 p.m.
Presenting some of itsestablished favorites as well as a world premiere, the company takes a unique approach to performing; HPDC is sharing the stage with local dance companies and artists in each city along the way. In Santa Barbara, the company will be joined by our own ArtBark International and Nebula Dance Lab.
HPDC will also offer company-taught master classes the day of each performance and post-show mingling so audiences can ask questions or just get to know the dancers. Below, founder and director Amanda Hart shares some of her thoughts on the company and its upcoming tour. For tickets and info for Hart Pulse Dance Company’s Santa Barbara show, call (805) 963-0408 or visit centerstagetheater.org.
What was your inspiration to start Hart Pulse? While I was receiving my BFA in dance at Cal Arts, it became clear to me that I really enjoyed and received positive feedback in the realm of choreography. I also love planning, organizing, and producing projects and knew that starting my own company would be the best outlet for all these passions. I started Hart Pulse Dance within the first year after graduating.
What would you say sets HPDC apart from other modern dance companies? HPDC demands a strong technical background in many different areas. Ballet, jazz, and modern fuse together, and sometimes there’s a dash of hip-hop. I grew up as a competition dancer, benefiting from strong technique lessons mixed with “wow factor” routines. I love to choreograph floor work and partnering, as well, so my dancers are all over the stage!
What is it like to perform alongside local companies in your shows? It’s amazing. Building bridges in other dance communities is a key factor in keeping dance a thriving and entertaining art form. All of the artists who are joining us on our tour have a history with HPDC. These artists are impressive, amazing, and good; good-hearted and good on the stage. We are extremely blessed to call ArtBark International and Nebula Dance Lab friends.
What does the future hold for HPDC? We want to stay consistent with our reputation of presenting well-rounded dances to beautiful music with gorgeous dancers in a positive atmosphere, supporting dance, dancers, and its enthusiasts. We want our presence in L.A. to grow, and we want Hart Pulse Dance to be a familiar name across the nation. It’s a long road, but we’re having a blast dancing down it and are excited for what’s to come!
For tickets and more information about the company, visit hartpulsedance.com.
