ODC/Dance Bids Adieu To Longtime Dancer Jeremy Smith At Summer Sampler

ODC/Dance bids farewell to longtime dancer Jeremy Smith at this year's annual summer event, Summer Sampler. Smith is departing the company after 11 years, and Summer Sampler will mark his last Bay Area performances with ODC. These performances celebrate Smith as he embarks on the next chapter of his creative life.

Smith joined ODC in 2007 after beginning his professional career with Parsons Dance. As a member of ODC he earned two Isadora Duncan Dance Award nominations, in addition to winning the Award for ensemble performance. During his tenure at ODC he danced in countless productions around the globe, earning critical praise and becoming one of the most beloved members of the company.

"Jeremy's intelligence, curiosity, creativity, and technical prowess have been instrumental in shaping a decade of choreographic work," said ODC Founder and Artistic Director Brenda Way. "He is also distinguished by his sensitivity as a partner and generosity as a teacher and coach. He will be sorely missed."

"When a dancer spends a decade or longer in your company their impact is significant," said ODC Co-Artistic Director KT Nelson. "Jeremy has always danced clearly, intelligently, and powerfully. He is dedicated to the art of dance and dance making. He has made us all better artists. Jeremy is a remarkably kind and benevolent man - in the studio, on the stage, and on tour. He has left his artistic mark here at ODC as well as in our hearts."

Smith is an advisory board member and the Artistic Advisor for Post:Ballet in San Francisco and a former artist with Ben Munisteri Dance Projects and Lydia Johnson Dance in New York City. Jeremy also collaborates with former ODC dancer Yayoi Kambara in Kambara + Dancers.

This year's Summer Sampler showcases two distinct programs - presented consecutively over two weekends. When combined, both weekends' programs feature an entertaining and satisfying sampler of work by all of ODC's choreographers, including Founder & Artistic Director Brenda Way; ODC Co-Artistic Director KT Nelson; Associate Choreographer Kimi Okada; and Resident Choreographer Kate Weare, who is based in New York. Brenda Way, KT Nelson and Kimi Okada, along with the ODC dancers, will be on hand after the performances to raise a glass to art and summer and to toast Jeremy Smith's outstanding contributions to ODC and his continued contributions to dance.

For more information visit www.odc.dance/summersampler

Photo: Jeremy Smith and former ODC dancer Yayoi Kambara, photo by RJ Muna