Participant Comments

Comments from our Community of Participants

From the Artists:

“BDF has an organic belief in the interconnection of dancer and choreographer, student and teacher, artist and audience -- a place to make work, see work, talk about work, a place to play. Bates’ reputation is unique in the field.”

"Each summer at Bates is like a new wind of hope for a better life in this world."

“Many valuable friendships and artistic collaborations have been forged at Bates and they continue to grow over the years. You have done an amazing job of developing and growing the program, always maintaining the supportive and non-competitive atmosphere that is the hallmark of BDF.”

“Each year as I return to Bates I am revamped for another year of teaching, choreographing, presenting, planning and living as an artist. I thank the universe that there is such an awesome, loving retreat place that allows me to grow, mature, revitalize and renew.”

"Bates has been the most important place in my artistic and personal life in America."

“The Bates Dance Festival is internationally recognized as a place where the exploration of creating work is embraced...it brings new ideas and dialogues to communities that otherwise would have limited exposure to such artists.”

“BDF is not only an agent for inspiration and creation, it also connects lives beyond borders, oceans and languages.”

“The Bates Dance Festival is committed to and fully embraces the creative process at its most ragged and risky.”

“My residency gave me the opportunity to create work in an atmosphere that was experimental, encouraging, non-obtrusive and accessible. The work I created in fourteen days would have taken me months to create in New York. The complete experience has given me the courage and skill to move forward.”

From our Students:

“Bates is where I take the most risks, yet feel the safest. I came into myself as a dancer and as a person here.”

"Reflecting on my experience, I see what a great influence BDF had on me. I am a different dancer-more mindful and connected, I am a different teacher in my approach to material, and I am a different improviser and choreographer, more aware of my habits and affinities. I am changed and all for the better. If I could manage it I would attend BDF every summer."

“How remarkable this place is. It has secured in me a sense of promise and confidence for my future in dance.”

“There is a calm and powerful presence of the creative spirit here. It brought me home to my body and opened doorways to exploring dimensions of movement inside the moment. I came here silent and left singing a quiet song of freedom.”

“The Festival offers all the best parts of structured learning—hands-on and physical experience paired with engaging conversations, intellectual discovery, and a rich community.”

“A place of inspiration for body, mind and soul. I truly appreciate the non-competitive atmosphere and the generosity of all.”

“Thank you for creating a space for dance that is human. Each time I have come to Bates I have been changed in a deep way. It has become my growing place.”

From Parents and Community Participants:

“Thank you for your commitment, experience and love for our children. What a gift you are giving to this community.”

"Before the girls came to YAP they thought of dance as cheerleading and music as limited to Disney spinouts. Now they come home choreographing their own pieces, making up songs and creating musical instruments out of things around the house. YAP is awesome!"

“My daughter attended Youth Arts last summer and loved it. It boosted her confidence and gave her a great way to artistically express herself that she continues to enjoy.”

“It was wonderful to watch my children’s dance and music horizons expand. A whole new world of movement has been discovered and I see the results on a daily basis. What a fantastic opportunity for local children to work with such gifted artists.”

“Our Maine dance community benefits tremendously from the classes, projects, performances and scholarships reserved especially for in-state dancers. “

“Through your creative projects you have built lasting bridges between very diverse segments of our community. Seniors, youth at risk, business professionals, refugees and athletes have developed a deep respect for and appreciation of their fellow citizens. “

“Bates is a nourishing and enriching environment. Here my children have experienced the freedom of creativity, the productivity of collaboration, the open exchange of cultures. In some small way, the Festival is helping to heal the world…”

From Audience Members and Donors:

"WHAT an event! I was transported to another world. Other worlds. It made me so hopeful for the redemptive and salutary role of art in our lives. You felt you were witness to something of great meaning and beauty, something transcendent and timeless, "other-worldly" yet borne out of our long-time cultural repository. I nearly wept when those lanterns went up."

“I have seen dancers from Vietnam and Cuba, Portugal and India, San Francisco and New York and many other places at the Bates Dance Festival. What riches for the eyes and soul.”

“Every year I think that the Bates Dance Festival can’t possibly match the amazing performances of the year before, and every year it does.”

“The Bates Dance Festival is a central part of our summers – world-class dance and fabulous music.”

“I was deeply impressed and moved by the Environmental Performance Project. In it I saw the relationship between human beings and nature. It was by far one of the best performances I have ever seen.”

“The Inside Dance lecture series--as a non-dancer but avid audience member-- is one of the best parts of the Dance Festival.”

"Bates is a think-tank for dance. It brings together the best minds and bodies working in the field -- living treasures of dance -- and sets them loose to do what they do best -- make movement magic. “