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| '''Laura Dean''' (born December 3, 1945) is an American dancer, choreographer and composer. | '''Laura Dean''' (born December 3, 1945) is an American dancer, choreographer and composer. | ||
| Dean is the recipient of |
Dean is the recipient of awards including the 2008 ] ] Award for Lifetime Achievement in Dance. She has also received a "]" New York Dance and Performance Award for her work with composer ](1986). Dean has been awarded two John Simon Guggenheim Fellowships for choreography (1976 and 1981), the Montgomery Fellowship from ](1986), the ] Award (1982), the ] Certificate of Appreciation (1975), ]'s Certificate of Appreciation (1991), ] Commission of the Status of Women Special Recognition Award (1984), the ] Award for Artistic Achievement (1993), the Staten Island Arts Council Award for Outstanding Achievement (1988), the ] Award for Music for Dance (1994), the Brandeis Creative Arts Award for Extraordinary Artistic Achievement in Dance (1986) and an Honorary Doctorate from Staten Island College/The ](2001). | ||
| Dean created her dance company in 1972. The following are the name changes for this company: Laura Dean and Dance Company (1972 to 1975); Laura Dean Dance Company (Jan. 1976 to Sept. 1976); Laura Dean Dancers and Musicians (Oct. 1976 to Sept. 1991); Laura Dean Musicians and Dancers (Oct. 1991 to Jan. 2000). The New York City based company (1972 to 1995) disbursed in 1995 when Laura Dean moved her organization to North Carolina. Laura Dean Musicians and Dancers based in Durham, North Carolina (1996 to 2000) was disbanded in 2000. | Dean created her dance company in 1972. The following are the name changes for this company: Laura Dean and Dance Company (1972 to 1975); Laura Dean Dance Company (Jan. 1976 to Sept. 1976); Laura Dean Dancers and Musicians (Oct. 1976 to Sept. 1991); Laura Dean Musicians and Dancers (Oct. 1991 to Jan. 2000). The New York City based company (1972 to 1995) disbursed in 1995 when Laura Dean moved her organization to North Carolina. Laura Dean Musicians and Dancers based in Durham, North Carolina (1996 to 2000) was disbanded in 2000. | ||
| Dean has created |
Dean has created ballets including works for The ], The ], ] and The Ohio Ballet. | ||
| Dean stopped choreographing and writing music in 2001. As of 2009, Laura Dean, the choreographer/composer, is no longer arranging and allowing restaging/reconstruction projects of her dance and music works |
Dean stopped choreographing and writing music in 2001. As of 2009, Laura Dean, the choreographer/composer, is no longer arranging and allowing restaging/reconstruction projects of her dance and music works. | ||
| LAURA DEAN HAS COMPOSED A TOTAL OF 30 MUSIC SCORES. LAURA DEAN HAS CHOREOGRAPHED A TOTAL OF 109 DANCE WORKS. This includes the choreography for her own dance and music company as well as for ballet companies, ice skating companies, other modern dance companies, student dance companies, The American Indian Dance Theatre and The Aman Folk Ensemble. The following is a partial list of these works. The first 30 works are works that Laura Dean created both the music and the choreography. The next 9 works are works that Laura Dean created choreography to Steve Reich's music. Laura Dean's Archive is housed at The American Dance Festival Archives/ Laura Dean Archive in Durham, North Carolina USA. | |||
| 1. AT ALAN SARET'S LOFT - 1970. LAURA DEAN SOLO PERFORMANCE - DANCING AND SINGING. Alan Saret's Loft, Spring Street, Soho, New York, NY. Costume design by Laura Dean. | |||
| 2. AN HOUR IN SILENCE - 1970. LAURA DEAN SOLO PERFORMANCE - SPINNING AND SINGING. Wooster Street Theater, Soho, New York, NY. Costume design by Laura Dean. | |||
| 3. STAMPING DANCE - 1972. SOUND OF THE DANCERS STAMPING IN RHYTHMIC PATTERNS WHILE DANCING. LAURA DEAN AND DANCE COMPANY. Premiere: Attica Gallery, Rome, Italy. Costume design by Laura Dean. Laura Dean performed as a dancer in this work. | |||
| 4. CIRCLE DANCE - 1972. SOUND OF THE DANCERS SHUFFLING FEET WHILE DANCING. LAURA DEAN AND DANCE COMPANY. Premiere: LoGuidice Gallery, Soho, New York, NY. Costume design by Laura Dean. Laura Dean performed as a dancer in this work. | |||
| 5. JUMPING DANCE - 1973. SOUND OF THE DANCERS YELLING WHEN THEIR FEET HIT THE FLOOR. LAURA DEAN AND DANCE COMPANY. Premiere: Loeb/Eisner Auditorium, New York University, New York, NY. Costume design by Laura Dean. Laura Dean performed as a dancer in this work. | |||
| 6. RESPONSE DANCE - 1974. BACK AND FORTH YELLS BETWEEN THE THREE DANCERS AND THE STAMPING OF THE DANCERS FEET. LAURA DEAN AND DANCE COMPANY. Premiere: Loeb/Eisner Auditorium, New York University, New York, NY. Performed by Laura Dean, Diane Johnson and Grethe Holby. Costume design by Laura Dean | |||
| 7. SPINNING DANCE - 1974. SOUND OF THE DANCERS FEET WHILE SPINNING AND A YELL FROM LAURA DEAN TO CHANGE DIRECTION. 30 minutes of non-spotted spinning to the right and 30 minutes of non-spotted spinning to the left. LAURA DEAN AND DANCE COMPANY. Premiere: The Loeb/Eisner Auditorium, New York University, New York, NY. Performed by Laura Dean, Diane Johnson and Grethe Holby. Costume design by Laura Dean. | |||
| 8. SOLO FOR PIANO. CHOREOGRAPHY AND MUSIC BY LAURA DEAN - 1975. Premiere: The Kitchen, Soho, New York, NY. This was the prototype piece for the larger music and dance work that Laura Dean premiered at The Brooklyn Academy of Music, SONG, in 1976. Choreography danced by Laura Dean. Music played on grand piano by Laura Dean. Costume design by Laura Dean. | |||
| 9. SONG - 1976. Laura Dean wrote the music score for two grand pianos and six singer/dancers. The music was played live and on stage by Laura Dean Musicians with the dancers. Choreography by Laura Dean. The name of the company changed to LAURA DEAN DANCE COMPANY. Premiere: Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis,MN in 1976. The musicians for the premiere were Laura Dean and David White. New York Premiere: The Next Wave Festival, The Brooklyn Academy of Music, The Lepercq Space, Brooklyn, NY. The music and choreography were commissioned by Walker Art Center and The Brooklyn Academy of Music. Costume design by Laura Dean. 10. DANCE. - 1976. Laura Dean composed a music score for two autoharps and 6 singer/dancers. Choreography by Laura Dean. The music was played live and on stage by Laura Dean Musicians with the dancers. Laura Dean changed the name of the company to LAURA DEAN DANCERS AND MUSICIANS. The music and choreography were commissioned by Gerhard Brunner of The Styrian Autumn Festival. Premiere: The Styrian Autumn Festival, Graz, Austria. November 1976. Laura Dean performed as a singer/dancer in this work. Costume design by Laura Dean. | |||
| 11. SPIRAL - 1977. Music composed by Laura Dean. Choreography by Laura Dean. The SPIRAL score of music and choreography is written for 8 singer/dancers and four musicians. Premiere: The Next Wave Festival, The Howard Gilman Opera House, The Brooklyn Academy of Music, Brooklyn, NY. 1977. Laura Dean wrote the music score for a singer, 8 singer/dancers, cello and two grand pianos. The music was played live and on stage by Laura Dean Musicians with the dancers. The music and choreography by Laura Dean for SPIRAL was commissioned by The Brooklyn Academy of Music. Laura Dean performed as a singer/dancer in this work. Costume design by Laura Dean. | |||
| 12. PATTERNS - 1978. Music composed by Laura Dean. Choreography by Laura Dean. Music score was composed for two grand pianos. The music was played live and on stage by Laura Dean Musicians with the dancers. The choreography is for six dancers. Premiere: Rochester University, Rochester, New York. 1978. The music and choreography for PATTERNS was commissioned by Rochester University. Laura Dean performed as a dancer in this work. Costume design by Laura Dean. Performed by LAURA DEAN DANCERS AND MUSICIANS. | |||
| 13. MUSIC - 1978. Music composed by Laura Dean. Choreography by Laura Dean. The music score was composed for two grand pianos, violin and six singer/dancers. The music was played live and on stage by Laura Dean Musicians with the dancers. The choreography by Laura Dean was for six dancers. Premiere: The American Dance Festival, Durham, NC. 1978. New York Premiere: The Next Wave Festival, The Howard Gilman Opera House, The Brooklyn Academy of Music, Brooklyn, NY. 1979. The music and choreography for MUSIC was commissioned by The American Dance Festival and The Brooklyn Academy of Music. Laura Dean performed as a singer/dancer in this work. Costume design by Laura Dean. Performed by LAURA DEAN DANCERS AND MUSICIANS. | |||
| 14. TYMPANI - 1980. Music composed by Laura Dean. Choreography by Laura Dean. Laura Dean created the music score for two grand pianos and tympani. Laura Dean created the choreography for six dancers. The music was played live and on stage by Laura Dean Musicians with the dancers. Laura Dean considers TYMPANI to be her signature work. TYMPANI was created during a month long residency at the Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, MN. with a LONG-TERM RESIDENCY GRANT from The National Endowment for the Arts. Premiere: Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis, MN. 1980. The music and choreography by Laura Dean for TYMPANI was commissioned by Walker Art Center, The American Dance Festival and The Brooklyn Academy of Music. Costume design by Laura Dean. Performed by LAURA DEAN DANCERS AND MUSICIANS. TYMPANI was made into a PBS Television program in 1981 which won an award from The American Film Institute. | |||
| 15. SOLO IN RED - 1982. Music composed by Laura Dean. Choreography by Laura Dean. The music score is for accordion. Laura Dean composed this score especially for accordionist Guy Klucevsek. The music was played live and on stage by Guy Klucevsek with the dancer. Premiere: The Spoleto Festival. 1982. The music and choreography for SOLO IN RED were commissioned by The Spoleto Festival. Costume design by Laura Dean. | |||
| 16. SKY LIGHT - 1982. Music composed by Laura Dean. Choreography by Laura Dean. The original music score was for one percussionist and a set of drums. Laura Dean expanded the score in 1985 to two percussionists and two sets of drums and tympani. The music was played live and on stage by Laura Dean Musicians with the dancers. The choreography by Laura Dean is for six dancers. The music score and choreography for SKY LIGHT were commissioned by The Spoleto Festival in 1982. The original costumes were by Michaele Vollbracht. Laura Dean redesigned the costumes in 1985. The title SKY LIGHT is two words. Not one word. Performed by LAURA DEAN DANCERS AND MUSICIANS. | |||
| 17. INNER CIRCLE - 1983. Music co-composed by Laura Dean, Don McGlashan and David Yoken. Choreography by Laura Dean. The music score is for two sets of drums and synthesizer. The music was played live and on stage by Laura Dean Musicians with the dancers. The choreography by Laura Dean is for six dancers. Premiere: Sadler's Wells Theatre, London, England. 1983. Costume design by Laura Dean. Laura Dean performed as a musician in this work. Performed by LAURA DEAN DANCERS AND MUSICIANS. | |||
| 18. ENOCHIAN - 1983. Music co-composed by Laura Dean, Don McGlashan and David Yoken. Choreography by Laura Dean. The music score is for orchestral chimes and synthesizer with an echoplex. The music was played live and on stage by Laura Dean Musicians with the dancers. Laura Dean designed the choreography as two back to back solos for herself and dancer Ching Gonzalez. Premiere: The Sadler's Wells Theatre, London, England. 1983. ENOCHIAN was danced by Laura Dean and Ching Gonzalez in England; Sofia, Bulgaria; Ljubljana, Yugoslavia; Lucerne, Switzerland and Berlin, Germany as part of a United States International Information Agency Tour in the summer of 1983. The final performance of ENOCHIAN was in the fall of 1983 at On The Boards in Seattle, Washington. Laura Dean retired from dancing in 1983 but continued to perform as a musician through 1986. Costume design by Laura Dean. | |||
| 19. TRIO - 1984. Music composed by Laura Dean. Choreography by Laura Dean. The music score is for two synthesizers. The music was played live and on stage by Laura Dean Musicians with the dancers. The choreography is for three dancers. The two musicians for the premiere were Laura Dean and Pat Graf. Premiere: The American Dance Festival/Japan, Tokyo, Japan. 1984. The music and choreography for TRIO were commissioned by The American Dance Festival. Costume design by Laura Dean. Performed by LAURA DEAN DANCERS AND MUSICIANS. | |||
| 20. MAGNETIC - 1986. Music composed by Laura Dean. Choreography by Laura Dean. The music score is for two synthesizers. The music was played live and on stage by Laura Dean Musicians with the dancers. The choreography is for eight dancers. Premiere: The American Dance Festival, Durham NC. 1986. The music and choreography for MAGNETIC were commissioned by The American Dance Festival. Costume design by Laura Dean. Performed by LAURA DEAN DANCERS AND MUSICIANS. | |||
| 21. SHAMAN - 1987. Music composed by Laura Dean. Choreography by Laura Dean. The music score is for two synthesizers and two sets of drums. The music was played live and on stage by Laura Dean Musicians with the dancers. The choreography is for eight dancers. Premiere: The American Dance Festival, Durham NC. 1986. The music and choreography for SHAMAN were commissioned by The American Dance Festival. Costume design by Laura Dean. Performed by LAURA DEAN DANCERS AND MUSICIANS. | |||
| 22. EQUATOR - 1988. Music composed by Laura Dean. Choreography by Laura Dean. The music score is for two sets of drums. The music was played live and on stage by Laura Dean Musicians with the dancers. The choreography is for eight dancers. Premiere: Het Muziektheater, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.1988. Music and choreography for EQUATOR were commissioned by Het Muziektheater, The Netherlands and Hansher Auditorium,Iowa City,IA. Costume design by Laura Dean. Performed by LAURA DEAN DANCERS AND MUSICIANS. | |||
| 23. INFINITY - 1990. Music composed by Laura Dean. Choreography by Laura Dean. The music score is for synthesizer and two drummers on two sets of drums. The music was played live and on stage by Laura Dean Musicians with the dancers. The choreography is for ten dancers. Premiere: The American Dance Festival, Durham NC. 1990. The music and choreography were commissioned by The American Dance Festival. Costume design by Laura Dean. Performed by LAURA DEAN DANCERS AND MUSICIANS. | |||
| 24. SACRED DANCES - 1991. Music composed by Laura Dean. Choreography by Laura Dean. The music score is for two grand pianos and marimba. The music was played live and on stage by Laura Dean Musicians with the dancers. The name of the company was changed from LAURA DEAN DANCERS AND MUSICIANS to LAURA DEAN MUSICIANS AND DANCERS. The choreography is for eight dancers. Premiere: The Hopkins Center, Dartmouth College, Hanover NH. 1991. The music and choreography for SACRED DANCES were commissioned by The Hopkins Center of Dartmouth College. Costume design by Laura Dean. Performed by LAURA DEAN MUSICIANS AND DANCERS. | |||
| 25. ECSTASY - 1993. Music composed by Laura Dean. Choreography by Laura Dean. The original title of this work was WAR. There was a note in the program that the word WAR was used for the title for "all the warriors who are on the front line in the fight against environmental disasters" but many people did not read this line and thought that Laura Dean had created a work about war. So she changed the title to ECSTASY when the work premiered in New York City in 1994. Laura Dean wrote the music score for synthesizer and two percussionists on two sets of drums. The music was played live and on stage by Laura Dean Musicians with the dancers. The choreography is for eight dancers. Premiere: The American Dance Festival, Durham NC. 1993. New York Premiere: The Joyce Theatre, New York, NY. 1994. The music and choreography were commissioned by The American Dance Festival. Costume design by Laura Dean. Performed by LAURA DEAN MUSICIANS AND DANCERS. | |||
| MUSIC SCORES COMPOSED BY THE COMPOSER/CHOREOGRAPHER LAURA DEAN FOR BALLET COMPANIES: | |||
| 26. NIGHT - 1980. Music composed by Laura Dean. Choreography by Laura Dean. Laura Dean wrote the music score for two grand pianos. The music was played live and in the orchestra pit. The choreography is for eight ballet dancers. The music and choreography for NIGHT were commissioned by THE JOFFREY BALLET. Premiere: The City Center Theatre, New York, NY. 1980. Costume design by Mark Ginsburg realized by Sally Ann Parsons. Performed by THE JOFFREY BALLET. | |||
| 27. FIRE - 1982. Music composed by Laura Dean. Choreography by Laura Dean. Laura Dean wrote the music score for harmonium, hand drums, flute and two sets of drums. The choreography is for 10 dancers. The music and choreography for FIRE were commissioned by THE JOFFREY BALLET. The sets and costumes are by the architect Michael Graves. The sets and costumes were commissioned by THE JOFFREY BALLET. Premiere: The City Center Theatre, New York, NY. 1982. Performed by THE JOFFREY BALLET. | |||
| 28. GRAVITY - 1987. Music composed by Laura Dean. Choreography by Laura Dean. Laura Dean wrote the music score for two percussionist for two sets of drums. The music and choreography were commissioned by THE OHIO BALLET. Premiere: Akron, OH. 1987. Costume design by Laura Dean. Performed by THE OHIO BALLET. | |||
| 29. NI BTHASKA KE - 1995. Music composed by Laura Dean. Choreography by Laura Dean. Ni Bthaska ke is the Native American word for "water flowing through a plain." The music score is for two percussionist and two sets of drums. The choreography is for eight dancers. The music and choreography were commissioned by BALLET OMAHA. Premiere: Omaha NB. 1995. Costume design by Laura Dean. Performed by BALLET OMAHA. | |||
| 30. LIGHT - 1992. Music co-composed by Laura Dean and John Zeretzke. Choreography by Laura Dean. The music score is for 6 musicians. The choreography is for 16 dancers. The music was played live and on stage by the AMAN musicians. The music and choreography were commissioned by THE AMAN WORLD MUSIC AND DANCE ENSEMBLE (also known as The Aman Folk Ensemble) with a NATIONAL REPERTORY DANCE GRANT from THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS and a MEET THE COMPOSER grant. Premiere: The Joyce Theatre: New York, NY. 1993. Los Angeles Premiere: University of Southern California/Los Angeles/Royce Hall, June 1994. Performed by THE AMAN WORLD MUSIC AND DANCE ENSEMBLE. John Zeretzke and Laura Dean received the Los Angeles Dance Resource Center/Lester Horton Award for Music for Dance for LIGHT in 1994. Costume design by Laura Dean. | |||
| THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF THE WORKS THAT LAURA DEAN CREATED CHOREOGRAPHY WITH THE MUSIC OF STEVE REICH. IT IS A TOTAL OF NINE WORKS. The dates are for when Laura Dean created the choreography. Not when Steve Reich created the music. This is also for the premiere information as well. | |||
| 1. TRIO - 1972. Choreography for three dancers to Steve Reich's FOUR ORGANS. Premiere: The Attica Gallery, Rome, Italy 1972. Performed by LAURA DEAN AND DANCE COMPANY with music performed live by STEVE REICH AND MUSICIANS. Costume design by Laura Dean. | |||
| 2. QUARTET SQUARED - 1972. Choreography for four dancers to Steve Reich's PHASE PATTERNS. Premiere: The Attica Gallery, Rome, Italy 1972. Performed by LAURA DEAN AND DANCE COMPANY with music performed live by STEVE REICH AND MUSICIANS. Costume design by Laura Dean. | |||
| 3. WALKING DANCE - 1973. Choreography for two dancers to Steve Reich's CLAPPING MUSIC. Premiere: The Loeb/Eisner Auditorium, New York University, New York, NY. 1973. Performed by LAURA DEAN AND DANCE COMPANY with music performed live by STEVE REICH AND MUSICIANS. Costume design by Laura Dean. | |||
| 4. SQUARE DANCE - 1973. Choreography for eight dancers to Steve Reich's PHASE PATTERNS. Premiere: The Loeb/Eisner Auditorium, New York University, New York, NY. 1973. Performed by LAURA DEAN AND DANCE COMPANY with the music performed live by STEVE REICH AND MUSICIANS. Costume design by Laura Dean. | |||
| 5. DRUMMING - 1975. Choreography for eight dancers to Steve Reich's DRUMMING. Premiere: The Lepercq Space, The Brooklyn Academy of Music, Brooklyn, NY. 1975. Performed by LAURA DEAN AND DANCE COMPANY with the music performed live by STEVE REICH AND MUSICIANS. Costume design by Laura Dean. | |||
| 6. TEHILLIM - 1984. Choreography for 10 dancers to Steve Reich's TEHILLIM. Premiere: Tel Aviv, Israel. 1984. Performed by The Bat Dor Dance Company. Unbeknownst to Laura Dean, someone at the Bat Dor Dance Company put the word PSALMS as the title of Laura Dean's dance work in the program, instead of TEHILLIM which she had requested. The title of this dance work is TEHILLIM, not PSALMS. The choreography was commissioned by The Bat Dor Dance Company. Costume design by Oded Gera. | |||
| 7. IMPACT - 1985. Choreography for 12 dancers and six musicians to Steve Reich's SEXTET. SEXTET was commissioned from Steve Reich by LAURA DEAN DANCERS AND MUSICIANS. Premiere: The Next Wave Festival, The Howard Gilman Opera House, The Brooklyn Academy of Music, Brooklyn, NY. 1985. Performed by LAURA DEAN DANCERS AND MUSICIANS. Choreography by Laura Dean for IMPACT was commissioned by The Brooklyn Academy of Music. Costume design by Laura Dean. Steve Reich and Laura Dean received a Bessie/New York Dance and Performance Award for IMPACT/SEXTET in 1986. | |||
| 8. FORCE FIELD - 1986. Choreography for 12 dancers to Steve Reich's SIX PIANOS. Premiere: Hansher Auditorium, Iowa City, IA. Feb. 1986. New York City Premiere: The City Center Theatre, New York, NY. Oct. 1986. The choreography by Laura Dean for FORCE FIELD was commissioned by The Joffrey Ballet. Performed by THE JOFFREY BALLET. Costumes by Laura Dean realized by Sally Ann Parsons. | |||
| 9. SPACE - 1988. Choreography for 36 dancers to Steve Reich's THE FOUR SECTIONS. Premiere: The New York State Theatre, Lincoln Center, New York, NY. May 15, 1988. The principles for the premiere were Lourdes Lopez, Heather Watts, Peter Frame and Jock Soto. Performed by The New York City Ballet. The choreography was commissioned by The New York City Ballet for The American Music Festival in honor of The New York City Ballet's 40th Anniversary. Peter Martins, Artistic Director. The music was played live by The New York City Ballet Orchestra. | |||
| The information for this Laura Dean article is from source material and information that is located at The David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library/Duke University Libraries/The American Dance Festival Archives/THE LAURA DEAN ARCHIVE, Durham, North Carolina USA. | |||
| The original Misplaced Pages page is User:Carlbuch09 - created April 23, 2008 | |||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
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Laura Dean (born December 3, 1945) is an American dancer, choreographer and composer.
Dean is the recipient of awards including the 2008 Samuel H. Scripps American Dance Festival Award for Lifetime Achievement in Dance. She has also received a "Bessie" New York Dance and Performance Award for her work with composer Steve Reich(1986). Dean has been awarded two John Simon Guggenheim Fellowships for choreography (1976 and 1981), the Montgomery Fellowship from Dartmouth College(1986), the Dance Magazine Award (1982), the Smithsonian Institution Certificate of Appreciation (1975), Harvard University's Certificate of Appreciation (1991), New York City Commission of the Status of Women Special Recognition Award (1984), the ABSOLUT Award for Artistic Achievement (1993), the Staten Island Arts Council Award for Outstanding Achievement (1988), the Lester Horton Award for Music for Dance (1994), the Brandeis Creative Arts Award for Extraordinary Artistic Achievement in Dance (1986) and an Honorary Doctorate from Staten Island College/The City University of New York(2001).
Dean created her dance company in 1972. The following are the name changes for this company: Laura Dean and Dance Company (1972 to 1975); Laura Dean Dance Company (Jan. 1976 to Sept. 1976); Laura Dean Dancers and Musicians (Oct. 1976 to Sept. 1991); Laura Dean Musicians and Dancers (Oct. 1991 to Jan. 2000). The New York City based company (1972 to 1995) disbursed in 1995 when Laura Dean moved her organization to North Carolina. Laura Dean Musicians and Dancers based in Durham, North Carolina (1996 to 2000) was disbanded in 2000.
Dean has created ballets including works for The Royal Danish Ballet, The New York City Ballet, The Joffrey Ballet and The Ohio Ballet. Dean stopped choreographing and writing music in 2001. As of 2009, Laura Dean, the choreographer/composer, is no longer arranging and allowing restaging/reconstruction projects of her dance and music works.