Erica Dankmeyer
Photographer: Anne Helene Gjelstad
ABOUT 360º
Founded in 2006 by Artistic Director Martin Lofsnes, 360° Dance Company’s mission is to present classic modern dance masterpieces juxtaposed with original contemporary dance works, in order to simultaneously preserve and develop the modern dance lineage. Comprised primarily of former principal dancers from the Martha Graham Dance Company, as well as other professional artists, 360° combines the grit and passion of the legacy’s founders with the fearless exploration and innovation of today’s modern dance world.
Following a wildly successful premiere season at the Bærum Kulturhus in Oslo, Norway, 360° Dance Company has been featured in the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council's Sitelines Festival and the Reverb, American Dance Guild and Colorado Summer Dance Festivals. The company has also performed at The Overture Center (Madison, WI), Sam Houston University (Huntsville, TX), SUNY/Purchase, Hofstra University, Merce Cunningham Studio, Ailey Citigroup Theater, and spent summer residencies at Kaatsbaan International Dance Center and Perry Mansfield Performing Arts Camp.
In June 2010, 360° presented its premiere NYC Season at the prestigious Dance Theater Workshop, including a matinee performance by New York Connections participants. The company is excited to return, once again, to DTW June 4th-6th, 2011 for another full-length performance season, this time featuring a fully produced matinee where summer course participants will perform alongside the company.
» Read Our Mission Statement » Read Our Vision Statement
MARTIN LØFSNES, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Martin Løfsnes was born in East Germany and grew up in Norway. He studied at London Contemporary Dance School/The Place, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center and the Martha Graham School. In 1993, he joined the Martha Graham Dance Company, attaining the rank of Principal Dancer in 1996, performing and touring extensively until 2006. He was also in Matthew Bourne/AMP's Broadway production of Swan Lake, and performed with Metropolitan Opera Ballet, Pearl Lang Dance Theater, Donald Byrd/the Group, Dankmeyer Dance Company, Sasha Spielvogel/Labyrinth Dance Theater and Errol Grimes Dance Group. Mr. Løfsnes is on the faculty of the Ailey School and his teaching credits also include Martha Graham School, Purchase College SUNY, Marymount Manhattan College, State College of the Arts (Oslo, Norway).