Janis Brenner


Janis Brenner is an American dancer, choreographer, singer and is artistic director of Janis Brenner & Dancers in New York City.

Biography

Brenner has toured in 31 countries and is recognized as a "singular performer" with a multifaceted artistic range. Honors and grants include: A New York Dance & Performance Award for her performance in Meredith Monk’s "The Politics of Quiet", Lester Horton Award for Choreography in L.A., NY Foundation for the Arts Fellowship, The Fund for US Artists at International Festivals, the U.S. State Department, Asian Cultural Council, The Trust for Mutual Understanding, UNESCO, US Embassies in Moscow, Jakarta and Dakar, and a commission for the interdisciplinary work, "The Memory Project", from the Whitney Museum of American Art at Philip Morris.
Brenner performed with Meredith Monk and Vocal Ensemble from 1990 - 2005 and continues to perform several of Monk's solo works. She received her MFA degree in Dance from the Hollins University/ADF graduate program in 2009. She is currently on the faculty of The Juilliard School serving as Choreographic Mentor to the Choreographers & Composers course and teaching Creative Process. Brenner was on the Board of The Gender Project in NY, which seeks to empower women in dance, and is on the Advisory Board of The Yard in Chilmark, MA. In May 2006, Janis was inducted into the Farmingdale High School" Wall of Fame" on Long Island as an honored alumni.

Choreography

Brenner has performed with Meredith Monk and the Vocal Ensemble since 1990 and performs a vocal suite from Monk's "Songs from the Hill" in concert. She and composer/vocalist Theo Bleckmann recorded their work "Mars Cantata" available from Earrelevant Music. She was also a co-choreographer for Michael Moschen, a soloist with Annabelle Gamson's company performing historic repertory of Mary Wigman, Isadora Duncan, and others, and a soloist with the Murray Louis Dance Company working with Rudolf Nureyev, Plácido Domingo, Dave Brubeck Quartet, Joseph Papp, Batsheva Dance Company in Israel and Alwin Nikolais.