IN THIS ISSUE:

Next Month at the Joyce Theater
Dances to American Music
July 14 – 25

Farewell and
Best of Luck, Noah Vinson!

After 24 years, longtime MMDG company member Noah Vinson, is moving on to his next adventure. Noah’s contributions over the last 2 decades dancing with the company have been immeasurable. Join us in wishing him the best on his future endeavors.

Read below for insider information about some of Noah’s favorite pieces.

I remember my initial reaction to being told that I was going to play Romeo was sheer panic. Was I capable? Could I do this? After talking with Maile Okamura, who was to play Juliet, I felt excited and ready for the challenge. Ready to explore these characters together. Mark told us he wanted us to focus in class and get really strong because it was going to be a lot of dancing and a full scale production. Mark worked on it, on and off, for about a year. We would rehearse on the road while on tour. Rehearsals at the dance center were full days. We even learned some principles of fencing for the fight scenes. As we got closer to opening night we had costume fittings with the amazing Martin Pakledinez, whose beautiful costumes played such an integral role and helped shape the characters. Johan Henckens created mock set pieces and props for us to use. It all culminated into a spectacular retelling of the story. The two lovers live at the end. A metaphor for love and life. It continues to be one of my favorite pieces I have been a part of. 

Maile Okamura and Noah Vinson in
Romeo and Juliet: On Motifs of Shakespeare, photo by Gene Schiavone

The Muir is one of my all time favorite pieces to dance. Mark’s choreography and the music come together to tell these short Celtic stories. My favorite sections are the last two, Come Fill and The Lovely Lass of Inverness. “Come Fill” is a drinking pub song. We each take turns dancing as the storytellers. Each story ending with a chanting chorus where everyone sings. By the end of the third round, we are all “tipsy” and exhausted. “The Lovely Lass” is the final movement of the piece. It’s very slow and somber with quite hard steps. Especially after you have just danced and sung the rowdy “Come Fill”. It’s beautiful and touching with all three men running circularly exiting leaving the Lovely Lass alone.

Noah Vinson, Billy Smith, and Karlie Budge in The Muir, photo by Danica Paulos

My all time favorite Burt song is “The Look of Love.” I am also a huge Dusty Springfield fan. Initially we all learned some phrases to it but we didn’t really work on it until the end of the process. I thought maybe I wouldn’t get to dance to it but Mark made it a duet for myself and Courtney Lopes. It’s such a sultry and seductive song. Getting to dance it with Courtney is absolutely one of my favorite parts of the evening.

Noah Vinson and Courtney Lopes in The Look of Love, photo by Jim Coleman

Mozart Dances was the first big, new, evening length work that I was a part of. Also, it was the first time I was singled out by Mark to be one of the central figures. I remember being slightly nervous opening night but also really excited. It was just incredible to be at Lincoln Center on that famous stage with the full orchestra and all of my amazing colleagues. Something I will never forget.

Julie Worden and Noah Vinson in
Mozart Dances, photo by Stephanie Berger

Click the photo to take a journey through 24 years of Noah Vinson dancing in Mark Morris works!

I am incredibly grateful to have spent so much of my life surrounded by artists who care so deeply about the arts. Being part of this community has been a privilege and sharing the stage with so many incredible people has meant more to me than I can fully express.

While stepping away from performing is bittersweet, I leave with immense gratitude and pride for everything we have created together. I will always feel connected to Mark and this company and will be cheering for its continued evolution and success. I want to thank Nancy Umanoff for everything she does, as well as all of the musicians, designers and collaborators I have met and had the pleasure of working with. Thank you for the years of collaboration, inspiration, and imagination. – Noah Vinson

Mark Morris: Music I Want You To Hear

June is African American Music Appreciation Month! In celebration, we’re resharing a playlist that the Mark Morris Dance Group staff compiled which highlights music from African American artists who they enjoy and are inspired by.

Happy listening.

All past and current playlists are always available when you follow us on Spotify! 

On the Membership Dashboard:
New Members Only Digital Exhibit – Mark Morris’ MOON

The Digital Exhibit, Mark Morris’ MOON, features a collection of photos, videos, and interviews illuminating the details that brought together MOON, Mark Morris’ 2025 work. Commissioned by the Kennedy Center as part of their Earth to Space Festival, MOON premiered in Washington, DC in April 2025 and is a captivating exploration of our enduring fascination with the lunar world. In this exhibit, enjoy photos and videos of the company in performance as you explore details about the set, music, and costumes that bring this work to life. Learn more about  Mark’s collaboration with Wendall K. Harrington, TONY Award-winning projectionist, who created scenic backdrops evoking the many facets of our space companion. Additionally, Music Director Colin Fowler offers insights into the varied musical score which includes live music of Ligeti, Dupré, and Debussy, recorded tunes from the American songbook, and excerpts from NASA’s Golden Record.

Sneak a peek at this exhibit with a video excerpt of Music Director Colin Fowler sharing insights about the musical score for MOON.

Want to see more? Become a member!

Log into your membership dashboard to see more. If you’re not yet a member, contact Lauren Grant at [Lauren.Grant@mmdg.org]lauren.grant@mmdg.org or join here.

At the Dance Center: Celebrating the 2026 Dance Center Showcase!

This past weekend our Junior and Student Company I and II students, Arts Immersion Fellows, and Dance for PD® Community united for a memorable run of performances in our 5^th annual Dance Center Showcase! The performances included excerpts from Mark Morris’ Numerator, staged by MMDG company members, along original works by Abby Dias, Aria Roach, Julia Ramirez, Véronëque Ignance, MMDG company member Billy Smith, and an Arts Immersion Fellow. The showcase also included a restaging of an excerpt from Falling Down Stairs performed by Dance for PD participants.

From Dance for PD: Class in NYC

Launching New Classes at the Bandeen Center &
Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City

We’re excited to announce a new FREE monthly Dance for PD community class at The Bandeen Center on first Thursdays of every month from 3-4:15pm. Located on the Upper East Side, The Bandeen Center is a unique facility that offers specialized fitness classes, events, and wellness programs to support people with Parkinson’s and their care partners.

Click here to learn more and register for a class at The Bandeen Center.

Join us on July 2 at Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City for an inclusive disco dance class led by CocoMotion! Participants of all ages and abilities are invited to groove to the beat and experience the joys and benefits of dance while creatively addressing balance, cognition, motor skills, and physical confidence – not to mention fun!

Thursday, June 2 | 7:00 PM
The Dance Floor at Josie Robertson Plaza
FREE

Learn more about Summer for the City