SYREN Modern Dance was formed by Kate Mehan and Lynn Peterson in 2003 and has since produced six New York Seasons. The company has also been presented at Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, Symphony Space, Dance Theater Workshop, 92nd Street Y, DUMBO Arts Festival, Queens Theatre in the Park, White Plains Performing Arts Center, and numerous schools and performing centers around the region. In 2004, '06 and '07 it received Harkness Space Grants from the 92nd Street Y; the past two years the company has been in residence at DanceNOW/NYC's Silo, in 2008 Dance Theater Workshop awarded SYREN a competitive Outer/Space Creative Residency; and this March WNYC, New York Public Radio awarded the company participation in its *STAR* Initiative.


ABRAVANEL
An evening-length work that journeys through the movement, music, and history of the Sephardic Jewish people. The Sephardim were the Jewish people of Spain who, during the Inquisition in 1492, were forced out of the country and settled in places such as Turkey, North Africa and the Middle East.  The Sephardic people were given a choice by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella: to convert, to leave, or to die.  Many people died trying to leave, and many surely died trying to stay.

SYREN captivates the audience as the sixty minute piece journeys through struggle, travel, and new beginnings to ultimately convey the paths forged by these people who stayed true to what was most sacred to them; their families and their beliefs. The six radiant dancers express, with vibrant synergy and exhilarating unity, a vision of something larger and more mysterious than mere history. Abravanel is a voyage of extraordinary will and perseverance, inspired by the story of a people who chose their path. Its dynamic cast and rich musical score is a feast for the eyes and ears.

click to see the full touring repertory of SYREN Modern Dance
 
SYREN is capable of teaching master classes to dancers including modern technique, modern partnering, improvisation, composition, and stretch and strengthening. Kate Mehan and Lynn Peterson offer an exciting opportunity, as they are available to team teach any of the above classes as well as offer SYREN repertory workshops or guest master classes. Their modern technique class is loosely Limon influenced, exploring juicy upper-body expansion, under and over curves, weight transfers, and more - all designed to encourage dynamically physical, musically intelligent, captivating dancers.

In addition to formal technique classes, SYREN is open to offering movement classes and workshops to non-dancers ranging from toddlers to adults and actors to business professionals.