LAJAMARTIN

Photo: Lady Deryn Photography

LAJAMARTIN Physical Dance Theater  focus is to create engaging live performance. Influenced by cultural past and present, LM rides into imagination where anything is possible. Originally composed music immerses the viewer into a specific cinematic environment. Grounded in relatable themes the journeys are limitless. From floor to air, a variety of dynamic movement defined by musicality and rhythm crafts the vocabulary that embodies the work’s intention. “The power of physical motion is our gateway to access theatricality”. Experiencing the impact of live performance that can invoke a freeing feeling of wonder is the main purpose of  LAJAMARTIN’s work.

www.lajamartin.com

 

Laja Field, originally from Salt Lake City, Utah fell for creative dance at Life Arts Center with Pearl Garff and reveled in performing wildly imaginative productions. As a young teen at Rowland Hall, Laja danced under Sofia Gorder who encouraged her to further her education and pursue her dreams. In 2012 she graduated magna cum laude with a BFA in Dance from the University of Utah, where she studied under many influential teachers and performed works by Satu Hummasti, Eric Handman and guest artist Kendra Portier, among others. For two years in college she also performed with RawMoves dance company directed by Nick Cendese and Natosha Washington. Following school, Laja went to work with Johannes Wieland at the Staatstheater Kassel, Germany and over the next three years enjoyed working with many inspiring colleagues, guest teachers and choreographers. Highlights include working with guest artist Chris Haring/Liquid Loft in the piece “Lego Love” which was performed again in Vienna at ImpulsTanz 2013, working with Stella Zannou in “…the time after”, re-staging Hofesh Schechter’s “DOG” under the direction of Sita Ostheimer and the creation and performing in pieces such as “Ich Bin Du”, “100,000 Superstars” and “Science!Fiction!Now!” by Johannes Wieland. In 2015, Laja moved to New York City, became a founding member of VIM VIGOR dance company and is currently co-rehearsal director. As a company member she premiered SEPARATI in NYC, FUTURE PERFECT in Santa Barbara at the Lobero Theater and toured to Prisma Festival in Panama. She has also enjoyed teaching and creating with VIM at Lines Ballet Training Program, ODC, San Fransisco Conservatory, University of Michigan, NYU Tisch and Springboard Danse Montréal. Laja continues to teach, perform and create with partner Martin Durov under LAJAMARTIN.

 

Martin Durov, teacher and performer was born in small town Slovakia. A push from his grandmother started him into ballroom dance at the age of six. Several years later he met a friend that encouraged him to venture into a Slovak Folklore group where he eventually became a soloist. This then led him to study dance at the Conservatory J.L Bella Banska Bystricia (Slovakia) for six years. In school he was a member of the dance company that toured pieces to festivals in Slovakia, Belgium and Spain. As a student he also collaborated with Studio Tanca, the professional dance company in Banska Bystricia. In the final year of school Martin took over the role of leader for the school’s company and choreographed his own graduation concert. In 2013, Martin graduated with a DiS. art. (certified artist) and went on to join Johannes Wieland’s company in Staatstheater Kassel as a full time member for two years. In that time he had the experience of collaborating with many dancers, teachers and creating pieces by Helge Letonja, re-staging Hofesh Shechter’s DOG with the help of rehearsal director Sita Ostheimer, as well as  several pieces by Johannes Wieland totaling over a hundred shows. Martin is a founding member and co-rehearsal director of VIM VIGOR DANCE COMPANY. He has had the opportunity to travel with the company teaching and creating work for Lines Ballet Training Program, University of Michigan and Springboard Danse Montréal as well as performing and creating a new production in Santa Barbara with DanceWORKS and touring to Panama to perform at Prisma Festival. In 2017 Martin co-founded company LAJAMARTIN  with Laja Field. Since then they have been performing and teaching in the USA and EU.

 

THE CLASS:  Hyper-dynamic movement defined by musicality and rhythm allows the body to experience the challenges and sensations of various qualities. Grounded in floor-work and highly physical phrase work this technique places emphasis on momentum and attack of the movement. LAJAMARTIN aims to create an experience where the individual and group can simultaneously live and share.

At DancePAT Nov 19.- 23. 2018