IN THIS ISSUE:
On the Membership Dashboard: Behind the Scenes with MMDG
Mark Morris: Music I Want You To Hear: Hispanic Heritage Month
At the Mark Morris Dance Center: Mark Morris Dance Accompaniment Training Program
Mark Morris Dance Group History: A Look Inside Petrichor
Have you ever been curious about Mark Morris’ process for creating a work? It’s not often that we get to hear straight from Mark about his choice in music, casting decisions, or how he names his pieces, but for Petrichor, he spoke with Laura Collins-Hughes of the Boston Globe to discuss exactly that, plus his commitment to live music.
When asked about his decision to name the piece Petrichor, Mark responds –
““petrichor,’’ it’s a fabulous word that I’d never heard before….There’s eight women in the dance, and it’s this amazing piece of music that’s very under-known and a very tricky, beautiful piece of music. And, you know, Villa-Lobos was very devoted to his Brazilian heritage. He says that all of his music is Brazilian; it all contains the rain forest. I’m not Brazilian, the dance isn’t a rain forest, and the title seemed to work.”
Click below to reach the full interview.
photos by Brian Snyder
Petrichor was commissioned by the Celebrity Series and premiered in 2010 at the now Emerson Cutler Majestic Theatre in Boston, MA. It was applauded for being “like a dream” by the Boston Herald. Petrichor is set to String Quartet No. 2, Op. 56 by Heitor Villa-Lobos. The costumes are by longtime Mark Morris Dance Group collaborator, Elizabeth Kurtzman.
Watch a performance of Petrichor from 2012 in Seattle, Washington.
On the Membership Dashboard: Behind the scenes with the Mark Morris Dance Group
On June 29, 2026, we hosted our Summer Virtual Rehearsal with the Mark Morris Dance Group. The company rehearsed sections from Three Preludes (1992) and then answered viewers’ questions. Guests enjoyed an insightful glimpse into the process of preparing this standout solo for our summer performances.
Enjoy a few moments from the Virtual Rehearsal below.
Members get access to the full event and much more. Membership is free to join. Contact Alessia Zanobini at alessia.zanobini@mmdg.org or join here.
Mark your calendar: DAF Day is October 8!
Donor Advised Funds Day (aka DAF Day) is a national giving day celebrating the impact of donor-advised funds. If you have a DAF, consider joining donors across the country by recommending a grant to the Mark Morris Dance Group on October 8.
Plus: Your DAF donation could be doubled!
Through #HalfMyDAF, DAF holders who commit to granting at least half of their fund by October 8 can make the nonprofits they support eligible for matching funds. Grants are randomly selected for dollar-for-dollar matches of up to $5,000, with one nonprofit receiving a $25,000 match.
Make a DAF gift to the Mark Morris Dance Group and submit it to #HalfMyDAF by October 8,2026, for a chance to double your impact.
Mark Morris: Music I Want You To Hear
Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! Mark has put together a dynamic selection of Hispanic artists’ music that he wants you to hear. In his words, “these artists have always delighted me.”
Happy listening.
All past and current playlists are always available when you follow us on Spotify!
At the Dance Center: The Mark Morris Dance Accompaniment Training Program
Applications are open for our Mark Morris Dance Accompaniment Training Program (MMDATP).
MMDATP is a four-day intensive for advanced musicians exploring the art of live dance accompaniment through observation, practicum, coaching, and discussion. Rooted in Mark Morris’ philosophy that music and dance are equal partners in rehearsal, onstage, and in the classroom, participants gain practical skills, professional connections, and career opportunities.
October 25 – November 1
Applications close October 15
Please help us spread the work about this unique training opportunity for musicians. For any questions, please contact Mark Morris Dance Center Director, Elise Gaugert.
From Dance for PD: An interview in Parkinson’s Journal with David Leventhal
Read a recent interview from the Parkinson’s Journal with David Leventhal, Dance for PD® Program Director.
David answers questions about his dancing career, how the Dance for PD® program began and continues to evolve, how dance can benefit those with Parkinson’s, and more.
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