Couldn’t Have Done It Without Them: Stephen Petronio

by Davalois Fearon
Founder/Artistic Director/Executive Director – Davalois Fearon Dance

​Couldn’t Have Done It Without Them!
A spotlight blog series on organizations and individuals that have provided integral foundational support for Davalois Fearon Dance
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Stephen Petronio and Davalois Fearon (2006)

​Numerous individuals, organizations, and institutions have aided me on my journey to become the artist I am today. In particular, Stephen Petronio and the Stephen Petronio Company (SPC) contributed tremendously to my success. Thank you so much, Stephen, for taking a chance on me as an apprentice in 2004 when I was a senior in the Conservatory of Dance at Purchase College, subsequently hiring me fresh out of college in 2005, and now supporting my career as a choreographer by awarding me the 2021 Bloodlines(future) commission for my Finding Herstory Project.

And, Thank you Stephen for:
Helping me develop from a dancer to a performing artist
Teaching me about choreography through your creative process
Giving me a platform to be a teacher
Teaching me about boney landmarks, especially my trochanter, tailboard and pubic bone
Teaching me about Alexander technique, Kline Technique and body mind centering
Nurturing my passion for education by making me education coordinator
Helping me to cultivate me skills as a now Artistic Director through learning how to restate your work
Inspiring me to do a internship on education in dance and arts management at Pentacle via there cultivating leadership in dance internship program
Giving me the warm feeling of Love the way a father loves a daughter
Giving me the justified cold shoulder when I made poor uninformed choices and welcoming me back again after the fact
You showed me how and now I thrive so thank you ❤️💜💙

All of the individuals, organizations, and institutions included in this ongoing blog series have given me opportunities to build the foundation of Davalois Fearon Dance. They have laid the groundwork for me to achieve the DFD’s mission to push artistic and social boundaries by creating multidisciplinary works that confront complex issues, prompt contemplation, and cultivate the next generation of artists. On behalf of all of us at Davalois Fearon Dance, I would like to extend my deepest and most heartfelt gratitude to Stephen Petronio and the Stephen Petronio Company. Thank you for all that you do!
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With gratitude,
Dava and the DFD Team