heart. mind. body
think. feel. touch … CONNECT
ARTIST STATEMENT
Dance is my language for connection in this world.
Choreography and performance, teaching and community work, my mission.
I grew up relishing the idea (first out of necessity and then desire), that one-among-the-many could truly speak of the human condition and our commonality, and still develop a uniquely individual voice. As one in a family of twelve children this wasn’t always easy to prove – until I began to dance.
As a sophomore at the University of Toledo, I took my first dance class, and as the saying goes, “the rest is [my] history.”
I use dance to touch people, to connect to this world and all it has to offer – creating dances that are dynamic, immersed in sensation, and emotionally evocative, yet always served with a side of tender. I am humbled by the vulnerability and power each of our moving bodies brings as we illuminate and recognize our humanity. I create dances that celebrate the drama, humor, messiness and lyricism of life using movement to tell stories of family, aging, relationships and the daily struggles to live authentically in this world, to see one another, to reach out and touch, to connect.
Breathing deep, I find the exhale which we can all feel.
With a clear and conscious voice, I use dance to speak. Photo by Rebekah West
BIOGRAPHY
Originally from Toledo, OH, I’ve been working in Boulder, CO as a dancer, choreographer, teacher, dance-for-camera enthusiast, community artist, advocate and resource for over 30 years. Since moving to Boulder in 1990, my creative work, whether for stage, community based or dance for camera, has garnered local and regional recognition, screenings at festivals, numerous grants, fellowships and awards - and most recently a 2012 “Legends of Dance in Colorado” honor from The Dance Archive and as a 2018 awardee of a Dairy Center Honor.
Before moving to Colorado, I spent nine years teaching at Chicago’s Columbia College Dance Center and performing as principal dancer and assistant artistic director of Mordine & Company Dance Theater. Performing throughout the Midwest, in New York City, and at the World Expo in Brisbane, Australia, I won Chicago’s 1989 Ruth Page Award for “Outstanding Dancer of the Year.”
I have an MFA degree in choreography from the University of Utah, have taught in colleges and universities in Ohio, Wisconsin, Illinois, Connecticut, Utah, and Colorado as well as community classes in Boulder and along the Front Range. I love teaching adults, beginners through professional level, working to instill a sensitivity and openness, a recognition of their own unique gifts and beings. An active member of the Colorado dance community, I’ve been able to serve on the boards of arts organizations, grant panels and adjudications for awards in CO, OR & NY, and for 17 years I worked for the City of Boulder Office of Arts + Culture, coordinating programs for artists as well as Dance Bridge, which was a resource for the local dance community.
As an independent dance artist, HAAN Dances serves as the vehicle for my creative work as teacher, choreographer & soloist, in multimedia projects and commissions, as well as with a pick-up company for group pieces, projects and community events. With over 50 major works and 30 productions (about half co-produced with other artists), I look to support our community and the artists working within it, broadening the cultural landscape for all and illuminating all our voices.
Dabbling in 10+ dance projects which incorporate multi-media work and also dance for camera pieces, I’ve been blessed with creative editors who were often also dancers and spoke my language. Other artistic co-conspirators include: Colorado artists Sound Circle and Resonance women’s choirs, Michael Gunst/Gunstworks, musicians Kailin Young & Jeff Jenkins, Nina Rolle/Zen Cabaret, film-maker Alexis Halkovic, Choreographers: Lyra Mayfield Dance, Peg Posnick, Judy Bejarano/Impact Dance Company, Hannah Kahn Dance Company, Jan Justis Dance Company, Deborah Reshotko/Speaking of Dance, Peter Davison, Nancy Smith/Frequent Flyers Productions, and the Dance Connection Performance Network, plus Chicago’s Bob Eisen Dance, Salt Lake City’s Kinetic Cafe Dance Company, and others.
When not dancing, I love to swim with a local Masters group and get out to fly fish.
PRESS QUOTES and COMMENTS FROM AUDIENCES:
“Mary Wohl Haan’s focus on movement and expression for all is the basis of her artistic commitment. Haan is immersed in the idea or concept of self in space, in relationship to and with other people, things and ideas. She proposes movement as the manipulation of these relationships for the purpose of understanding and expanding them. She works (seemingly tirelessly!) to make movement accessible, appealing and effective for the community.”
“Play and the importance of imagination in Haan’s worldview is evident in her creative dance for camera work. Video extends her choreographic reach, enabling Haan to manipulate perspective and challenge points of view.”
“When she speaks of appreciating the sensual beings that we are, she is accepting that aspect of herself, but she is also recognizing the depths of the feeling and thinking beings all around her.”
-Jane E.Werle for PRESENTING DENVER “In The Spotlight”
“…a lyrical fury.” “Haan is an actress as well as a dancer.”
-CHICAGO READER"Haan herself continues to amaze in her abilities to find new places to go in choreography and dance." "Haan’s choreography is always complete and … Haan herself is a very brave performer, never shunning vulnerability…”
-Don Atwood, WORLD DANCE REVIEWS"...a return of Mary Wohl Haan in Mordine's solo "Early Being" was graced by the veteran dancer's experience, maturity and iridescent vulnerability."
-Sid Smith, CHICAGO TRIBUNE“Alone, valiant and willing to be expressive…her skill and charm as a performer will endear her audiences and give them an understanding of how dance can speak.”
“…Wohl Haan’s facial expression alone is enough to warrant the ticket price.”
-BOULDER WEEKLY“Fearless” is right. Last night Ms Wohl Hann masterfully placed herself exactly in the emotional center of six very different pieces (stories) with what seemed such ease. That’s where the art is and we see she knows it. Mary’s physical facility, execution and smart use of space is a joy to behold. Right away you understand why she is a brilliant choreographer. We are so fortunate to have her presence and delightfully intelligent point of view here in Boulder.
—Audience online review after One Voice - Fearless! Concert