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photo by Chris Wisner

Artistic Director:

NICOLA IERVASI

Country: ITALY

Story: Born and raised on the southern tip of Italy by the Mediterranean Sea, I always enjoyed alternating my dancing in front of the TV with other artistic expressions. Surrounded by other children and relatives, I would host, sing and act on a homemade stage, with a curtain and fictitious video cameras. Growing older, I enjoyed being an entertainer/ choreographer in vacation resorts and a real TV host for music shows. At age 20, after three years of pre-professional dancing, I moved to Rome and study at the Balletto di Roma and IALS. In 1998, during a summer vacation in New York, I received a scholarship from The Martha Graham School from which I graduated in Spring 2000. I still live in New York, where I am almost entirely dedicated to propel Mare Nostrum Elements Wave.

Career: While in Italy, I toured with the company "I Nuovi Sciamani", directed by Marco Ierva, in a musical entirely translated in sign language, and I was in the cast of Macao (National Public Television variety show). Upon Moving to New York, I was a member of the Martha Graham Dance Ensemble for the 99/00 tour. Other experiences include Pearl Lang Dance Theater, Maher Benham/Coyote Dancers, Igal Perry, Andrea Perekovic, Lacy James/Mereminne Dancers, Dzul Dance and Lacy James/Mereminne Dancers. Most recently I completed a solo and sextet video-performance of Anna Sokolow's "Rooms Etude"; with Lorry May for the Dance Legacy Project.

I recall with particular fulfillment, all the productions that gave me the opportunity to strengthen my interdisciplinary skills: "Frammenti" by Daniela Boensch, "Volere Volare" by Alessandra Luberti, "Quasi sempre" by Max Luna, "I've known rivers" by Brenda Baden-Semper and "E la tua veste bianca" by Giorgio Rossi. I am honored, to have portrayed Alfred de Musset in the Dance/Drama "La bonne dame", remembering Georges Sand with and by Deborah Zall. Presently I am collaborating and performing with Italian singer/percussionist Alessandra Belloni and joined the Anna Sokolow Archive Company directed by Lorry May. Just for a change - even if I don't hang out anymore in front of the TV - I still enjoy being involved in different experiences; my film credits include "Monella" by Tinto Brass, "E insieme vivremo tutte le stagioni" by Gianni Minello and "Raw" by Rachel Victor. As a model, I posed for Sportswear International Magazine, Lawrence Grecco and Nan Melville. I am thrilled and honored to be working with all the "Elements" who share, support and contribute to the enrichment of my artistic vision.

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