Studio Stories: Reminiscing on Twin Cities Dance with Gerry Girouard Season 3 Episode 35

Gerry Girouard is a long-time, local movement
explorer/dancer/choreographer of the twin cities. He is currently
merging improvisational ideas inspired from in-depth studies of
Modern Dance, Argentine Tango and Capoeira. Gerry’s start in
dance was dancing for Nancy Hauser in her modern dance company
The Nancy Hauser Dance Company way back in 1983!!!  


In the 1990’s he did his own acrobatic style of dancing by
literally dancing on and off the walls, and he used this style to
create and produce many evening-length acrobatic dances
including: In the Shadows of the Diamond Realm (1992), Off the
Wall (1994), Songs for the Body Electric (1997), Gravity Games
(2000), The Cult of Dorian Gray (2004), the 2006 IVEY award
winning show Crimes & Whispers: A Tango of Despair and
Defiance. 


Since 2010 Gerry has pursued more informal performances and
focused on the merging of improvisational ideas inspired from
in-depth studies of Modern Dance, Argentine Tango and
Capoeira. 


In 2017, Gerry co-founded with Lori Mercil and Becky Heist and
continues to produce and choreograph in the 16 FEET showcase for
independent choreographers. The showcase is a collaborative
effort of all the participants. 


Gerry has earned many grants and commissions including several
Minnesota Dance Alliance’s Dancer Pool Grant (1990, 1994, 1997,
1999), Minnesota State Arts Board Artist Initiatives (1991, 1994,
2000, 2005), MRAC Community Arts Grant (1996), Jerome Foundation
Grants (1997, 1999, 2003, 2005) and a McKnight Foundation
Choreography Fellowship (1992).