THE MARTHA HILL AWARDS

Every year there’s a dance reunion party held by The Martha Hill Foundation. The event honors dance movers and contributors who have made an indelible impact on the dance community.

This year’s gala was no different, pulling together elders and raising up youngsters preparing to step into the unpredictable world of the arts.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Honorees included Joan Finkelstein who has been a mainstay in the field first as a compelling modern dancer and later as an innovative arts educator and finally an enlightened grants administrator. Her remarks centered on the beauty of her trajectory from a practicing artist to large-scale supporter of the field. Humbled by all her experiences, Finkelstein nodded to her family members and colleague, Jody Arnhold, for their support, guidance and love.

Phyllis Lamhut, the dance community’s shrewd Leprechaun not only distinguished herself as a member of Alwin Nikolais’ dance company, she moved into the role of choreographer and most visibly a mentor to scores of dancers. Feisty and incessantly curious, Robert Smalls, her husband — formerly a prominent dancer with Murray Louis, was visibly moved when he spoke about Lamhut’s clarity, integrity and indisputable singularity.

MID CAREER AWARDS
Never intending to be a dancer, Pueleio was snared in the grip of dance’s allure. Falling in love with the Limon technique, he joined the company first as a member and then in 2020, he took the reins of the artistic leadership. Beholden to all the phenomenal Limon dancers who came before him, Pueleio vowed to proceed with deep respect and abandon.

David Hamilton Thomson forged a trail as a riveting performer who, according to Judy Hussie-Taylor,  radiated charisma as easily on stage as on the NYC streets. Tall and striking, he thrived on his ability to work with a multitude of different artists who give him a great deal of latitude to develop his character, and unforgettable presence on stage.

Happily, everyone’s remarks were on point, succinct and deeply heartfelt. Guided by Vernon Scott, Board Chair, the Martha Hill Awards also provided funds for studio rental, dance classes and in-studio showcase opportunity to an emerging dancer and emerging choreographer: Jade Manns (choreographer) and Babou Sanneh (dancer). 

One thing you can count on, every year the dance community will flock to The Martha Hill Awards, to embrace the extraordinary and generous people composing the NYC dance community.

I’m not certain what happens in the penthouse space at the corner of 14th and 5th, but I do know, that every year, the dance community flocks to the gathering embracing the extraordinary and generous people composing the NYC dance community.

EYE ON THE ARTS, NY — Celia Ipiotis