Events and Conferences

The second talk in the Speaker Series of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology by Alen Chaudhry, M. A. in Ethnochoreology

As a practising ethnochoreologist and lecturer his work focuses on movement notation systems, ethics in dance, the history of dance, and theoretical approaches to the study of dance in a global context. Ethnochoreology is a multidisciplinary field that examines dance in its cultural context, including the people that practise them and the environments in which they exist.

This Speaker Series will provide a brief overview to this relatively new but exciting field and will center its attention on its use of movement notation systems. These systems allow for the expression, understanding, and embodiment of the dances,movement systems, and physicality of cultures and societies in both academic and non-academic literature. A key takeaway will be how the theories and systems of this field, especially notation systems, can be adapted and applied to academic study outside of the field of ethnochoreology.

Event Details

December 8, 2017
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Ideas Visualization Lounge (EL120)
Riddell Library and Learning Centre
Mount Royal University

About

Alen is a Canadian-based ethnochoreologist, dancer, and choreographer. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Dance from the University of Calgary in Calgary, Alberta, where he studied under highly acclaimed choreographers and scholars, Wojciech Mochniej, Melissa Monteros, Davida Monk, Michèle Moss, Anna Mouat, and Melanie Kloetzel. His time in Ireland, where he received his Master of Arts in Ethnochoreology, further added to his professional training, both in dance and scholarly pursuits in dance, including working with Dr. Anya Royce, author of Anthropology of Dance , Dr. Catherine Foley, a leader in dance studies in Ireland particularly with Irish dance, and RAS Mikey C, formerly with Pilobolus and currently in Ethiopia developing Ethio-Modern work.

In his current breadth of work, Alen is focused primarily on dance acadæmia, putting much of his efforts into furthering dance theory and ethics and is in the process of submitting a paper for publication. In terms of performance and choreography and in addition to presenting in this year's IGNITE Dance Series, Alen is preparing for two other projects, but the details are T.B.D.

Outside of his dance work, Alen works professionally as a venue coordinator with a focus on theatres and concert halls, having worked with Arts Commons (Jack Singer Concert Hall & Engineered Air Theatre) and currently with Mount Royal University (Bella Concert Hall, Wright Theatre, & Leacock Theatre). One of his highlights in this role was having assisted Decidedly Jazz Danceworks in preparing their new theatre for its opening and continued operation.