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Joseph Fontano
Contemporary
Biography:
An Italian-American dancer, choreographer, Joseph Fontano is a historic name, known as the spiritual father of contemporary dance in Italy.
He studied at the New School For Social Research and
School of Visual Arts, NYC. A pupil and co-worker with
contemporary dance legends, such as Martha Graham,
Merce Cunningham, Paul Sanasardo, Pina Bausch, Barbara
Fallis, Karl Shook and Jerome Robbins, Fontano also
performed with the Nikolais Dance Theatre and is one of
the founders of the first Italian contemporary dance
company Teatrodanza Contemporanea di Roma.
Since 1989 Fontano is permanent professor and part of
the Academic Council of the Italian National Dance
Academy. Joseph has taught at the National Dance School
in Havana since 2007.
He has choreographed and worked for the Opera House in
Paris, San Carlo of Naples, Scala of Milan, Scapino Ballet of
Holland, Transitions Dance Company in London and many
others. Joseph has directed the Transitions Dance
Company of Laban Centre, London (1999-2002). Since
2006 Fontano is President of WDA Europe organisation
under the auspices of IDC-ITI within UNESCO.
In 2010 he taught a worshop at the Martha Graham School
in New York. In 2010 and 2011 he was adjudicator,
together with J.R. Glover, for the 28th and 29th Anual
Choreographers' Showcase at the Clarice Performing Arts
Center, Maryland, USA. In September 2011 he projected
and completed his international dance event Peace in 2
Minutes in Xiamen, China with the Egret Dance Company
during the 33rd ITI meeting for the performing arts. In
September of 2011 Fontano was elected President of the
IDC-ITI under the auspices of UNESCO.