Joyce Herring Named Executive Director of Modern Dance Company RIOULT

Joyce Herring, Associate Artistic Director of RIOULT, has been appointed the Company’s Executive Director beginning immediately, announced Donald Holley, Chairman of the Board.  Ms. Herring and her husband, Pascal Rioult, founded the modern dance company in 1994.

“I am extremely pleased that Joyce has accepted the post of Executive Director of RIOULT.” said Donald Holley, “With her thorough knowledge of dance and the dance world, her ability to work with people, and the intelligent energy she puts into all she does, I have no doubt that she will be a success.”

In speaking of the new position, Ms. Herring said, “I am looking forward to the challenge of my new role, and being able to channel my passion for dance into new outlets.”

Joyce Herring served as RIOULT’S associate artistic director, rehearsal director and also staged Mr. Rioult's work for companies and universities in the States and abroad. Ms. Herring met Mr. Rioult while they were performing together with Martha Graham Dance Company. Ms. Herring joined the Martha Graham Dance Company in 1982 where she attained principal dancer status and danced until 1995. She performed as a guest artist with the Graham Company until 1999 and with the RIOULT until 2004. During her career with the Martha Graham Dance Company she interpreted many leading roles including Lamentation, Jocasta in Night Journey, the Bride in Appalachian Spring, the Virgin in Primitive Mysteries, Joan of Arc in Seraphic Dialogue, and numerous others. She performed opposite Pascal Rioult and Mikhail Baryshnikov in Ms. Graham's three character piece El Penitente and the following year was cast in the leading role of the recreation of American Document, again opposite Mr. Baryshnikov. Ms. Herring is a former director of the Martha Graham School and a regisseur of the Graham Trust. She has been on the faculties of the Conservatory of Dance at SUNY Purchase, Marymount Manhattan College, guest teacher at the Juilliard School, Rudra Bejart in Lausanne, Alfredo Corvino's Dance Circle, the Neighborhood Playhouse, Harvard Summer Dance Center, North Carolina School of the Arts, Ballet du Nord, the Lyon Opera Ballet, the Conservatoire Nationale Superieure de Musique de Lyon, the Geneva Ballet and the Ballet de Lorraine among others.

RIOULT builds on tradition, expanding the definition of contemporary dance. Known for his daring and imaginative explorations of classical scores, Pascal Rioult creates new work that brings fresh perspective to timeless themes, flawlessly blending his European sensibilities with a strong background in American modern dance. The company offers diverse audiences an experience that speaks to both the mind and heart. Rioult's career as a choreographer began in 1991 when, as a principal dancer with the Martha Graham Dance Company, he held an informal showing of his first works at New York's 92nd Street Y. He founded RIOULT in 1994 with his wife and fellow Graham dancer Joyce Herring, an esteemed performer in her own right.

Over the past decade RIOULT has become an established name in modern dance. With a repertoire of over twenty dances, the company presents an annual season at The Joyce Theater in Manhattan and tours internationally. Company performances throughout North America and Europe have received praise from audiences and critics alike. The company was honored to be the Théâtre de Saint Quentin en Yvelines resident company for the Temps de Danse Festival, where it premiered The Ravel Project. Recent tour highlights include the premiere of Firebird at the American Dance Festival in Durham, NC, and appearances at the Annenberg Center in Philadelphia, PA and Cal Performances in Berkeley, CA. Rioult's signature piece, Bolero, has been seen at the New York City Center Fall for Dance Festival and on a 12-city European tour of France, Belgium and Switzerland. During the 2008-09 season the group has travelled to California, Florida and Mexico and soon embarks on a 4 week European tour. Next to the Rioult's vibrant choreography, the company's ten dancers are considered its greatest artistic resource. They reach beyond their polished technique to shine in solo roles and perform as one body in the group choreography.

Rioult’s New York season at the Joyce Theater will be April 14 – 19.  The popular Gala Supper will take place after the performance on April 15.

Education and community outreach have been integral to RIOULT since its inception. DanceREACH, the company's educational component, offers an interactive approach to introducing students to the world of modern dance. It has had an impact on thousands of students and community members in New York City and around the world. Ongoing relationships with schools in New York City and the metropolitan area allow DanceREACH to inspire new generations of dancers and audiences.

For more information on the company, visit www.prdance.org.

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