Simone Forti - Sarah Swenson spans the fields of Modern Dance and Post-Modern Dance Improvisation. Her choreography, as in her piece Fimmine, is beautifully clear. Her stage presence has balanced dignity. Interested in exploration, Sarah is a central collaborator in my semi-improvisational dance/theater projects. A passionate caring for humankind is her artistic motive force.
--Simone Forti
Jeff Slayton - Sarah Swenson is one of
the best choreographers on the West Coast. Her work is full of beautiful
movement, drama and unexpected twists and turns. Her dancers are dedicated
to her, and her own amazing dancing only adds one more wonderful dimension
to the work. It was a great honor for me to work with Sarah on the solo,
Crossing. A choreographer cannot ask for a more fulfilling experience
than the one I had during our rehearsals, and then watching her perform
my work. Vox Dance Theatre should be celebrated everywhere dance is presented.
Adding to her choreographic talents, Sarah Swenson is also one of the finest
teachers of modern dance that I have seen in a very long time. Her style
of teaching builds strong dancers who can continue to work in many different
styles. She has a wonderful way of nurturing the artistic side of her student
dancers as well as strengthening their technique. A rare combination indeed.
--Jeff Slayton
David Waite - "On a warm summer afternoon in Toronto last year, I stood entranced as Fimmine's dancers floated effortlessly and silently above the glistening white stage as part of the 15th annual Fringe Festival of Independent Artists. Philip Glass' score at times chased them ahead of its bold and forceful energy, while in the blink of an eye they were demurely pulling it behind them, in both graceful and surprising stop-time movements. I wanted to cling to the side of the stage, in hopes of absorbing some of their energy and form. Surely this was the way to move through life. SwensonÕs choreography was honest and clean, stripped of unnecessary encumbrances. Their performance was enthralling, infused with both tenderness and strength - the element of surprise invigorating. Robert Frost's couplet seemed apt this afternoon: "We dance round in a ring and suppose/But the Secret sits in the middle and knows." This troupe, and its founder Sarah Swenson, seems to have found their Secret. I, for one, eagerly await their return to Toronto!"
--David Waite