The Experience
When you read about Koresh Dance Company, words like high-velocity, allegrismo execution, revved-up and sizzle rush by. Passion characterizes this jazz-based modern dance company. An Israeli who moved to Philadelphia 20 years ago, artistic director Ronen Koresh not only brings the heat of the desert to his art form, but also themes from biblical times to the Holocaust and the strife in the Middle East.
Loved by audiences for their sensual athleticism and take-no-prisoner, full-out dancing, other dance companies envy Koresh's dancers for their strong technique and stamina. Koresh often commissions local composers for his works and tackles the big themes, but there is lighter fare in the more than 40 works in the KDC repertoire.
History
After his dance studies at Martha Graham’s Bat Sheva Dance Company were interrupted by a three-year enlistment in the Israeli army, Ronen (Roni) Koresh made his way to Philadelphia where he danced with Waves. He started his own company in 1991. KDC now tours nationally and appears locally two to four times annually.