The movement vocabulary for Yondering is neither strictly ballet nor recognizably modern. The choreography is built upon a unique movement language, created out of Neumeier’s own imagination and emotional impulses. It reflects the vitality and energy of young people and sometimes even their goofy awkwardness.
John Neumeier, choreographer
Photo courtesy of National Opera & Ballet of the Netherlands
John Neumeier is an American born choreographer who has been the Director of the Hamburg Ballet since 1973. Neumeier is regarded primarily as a ballet choreographer but his long- time associate, Kevin Haigen, describes him as a very modern choreographer in the sense that he always tries to forge new movement ideas even while working within the classical ballet vocabulary. For Neumeier, there is no movement without an emotional impulse. His steps come from a thought from the heart. Haigen attributes this modern sensibility to the influence of Neumeier’s early teacher, the modern dancer Sybil Shearer.
For a more comprehensive biography, click here.
For a short video about Sybil Shearer, click here.
Kevin Haigen
Kevin Haigen is the Principal Ballet Master of the Hamburg Ballet and a teacher at the Hamburg Ballet School. He is also the Artistic and Pedagogical Director of Germany’s National Youth Ballet. A long-time associate of John Neumeier, he served as his assistant during the creation of Yondering in 1996. Since then, he is often called upon to re-stage and coach Yondering at those schools who have been given permission to perform the ballet.
For a more comprehensive biography, click here.
In the video below, Kevin Haigen provides commentary on the creation of Yondering.