April 3, 2006

For Nan and Gus Giordano, the apple does not fall far from the tree in terms of dancing. The father/daughter team shares a rich artistic history that spans more than 50 years. Gus Giordano, though not the creator of jazz dance, is definitely a leader in the discipline. Aside from serving as founder/director of Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, he is the author of the highly acclaimed Anthology of American Jazz Dance. In addition, Giordano organized the first Jazz Dance World Congress in August, 1990. This event is now held annually and brings jazz legends and dance companies together for a week of master classes and performances. Gus was also on the faculty of the first USA International Dance School in 1979, and in 2002, his company was featured in a two-day residency at the competition.

Nan, on the other hand, has not always had a love for dance. Though she grew up in a world of tights and toe-tapping music, she did not develop a desire to be involved in dance until age 12.

“At age 12, I started taking jazz dance and liked it,” Nan Giordano said. “I was never pressured into being a jazz dancer. In actuality, I’m the only child out of four that went into jazz dance. I love it, and my father is my mentor. I owe everything to him.”

This summer, Nan will lend her expertise to the USA IBC Teachers’ Workshop, held during the eighth USA International Ballet Competition. Designed for dance school teachers of all ages, the teacher’s workshop will offer a jazz program in addition to ballet instruction. Participants may enroll in either or both courses of study. The ballet program will be led by Finis Jhung, who currently teaches at Steps on Broadway in New York, and Nan will lead the jazz program.

Nan ’s resume boasts an impressive list of accomplishments. She has been artistic director of Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago since 1993 and is a member of the faculty at the Giordano Dance Center. Nan has also toured internationally as a guest teacher in Canada, Costa Rica, France, Germany and Mexico and h as choreographed several pieces in the current GJDC repertoire, including Untitled, Chain of Rocks and Taal. She has choreographed several television commercials, including spots for Famous Footwear and the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, and she was one of the assistant choreographers for Amoco’s 100th Birthday Anniversary.

“During the workshop, I hope to implement my father’s goal and elevate the level of jazz dance,” Nan said. “I want the teachers to know the power, passion and artistry that jazz dance brings to the table.”

Nan further explains that she sees the future of jazz dance veering further away from the competition aspect and more toward artistry.

“I believe that competitions are a part of it, but the competitive side has become too dominant,” Nan concludes. “Jazz dance is not just about flash and trash; it’s about a truly recognizable and wonderful art form with a lot of depth.”

By virtue of a Joint Resolution of Congress in 1982, the USA IBC is the official ballet competition of the United States. The event is sanctioned by UNESCO and is presented in the tradition of its sister competitions in Moscow, Russia and Varna, Bulgaria, where the concept of the international ballet competition began in 1964.

For ticket information, please contact USA IBC Box Office Manager Aislynn Thomas at 601.973.9249, Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.