“My spirit is exalted through Art and the world of Dance! Dance and the Divine are One!”
Abdel R. Salaam
Mentors
Dance/Personal History
- Mr. Salaam performed as a principal dancer and soloist with the Joan Miller Chamber Arts/Dance Players, the Fred Benjamin Dance Company, Ron Pratt’s Alpha Omega 1-7 Theatrical Dance Company, and Otis Salid’s New Art Ensemble and ultimately became Associate Artistic Director of the internationally acclaimed Chuck Davis Dance Company
- Mr. Salaam was approached by dancer/choreographer Joan Miller, Professor at Lehman, who convinced him in his sophomore year, to become one of the College’s first dance majors in its fledging B.F.A. program.
Company/ Organization
- Influenced by African Dance on American Modern Dance and Culture.
- In 1981, Mr. Salaam co-founded Forces of Nature Dance Theater with his partner Olabamidele Husbands and his wife and former principle dancer, Dyane Harvey.
Personal History
- Executive Artistic Director/Choreographer
- Mr. Salaam performed as a principal dancer and soloist with the Joan Miller Chamber Arts/Dance Players
- Mr. Salaam began his artistic training at the age of five with the study of music through piano, xylophone, and glockenspiel,which grew out of his love for jazz music.
- The Company offers many genres of music and dance style but Abdel Salaam mostly practices African American Modern Dance.
- Graduated High School of Music and Art in 1968
- Mr. Salaam attended Lehman College,in New York
- Member of the Lehman Black Student Organization
- Current location: New York City
Believe in Dance and Choreography
Significance/ Contributions to Dance
Abdel R. Salaam
- Mr. Salaam's Mission in dance and believe were influenced by Joan Miller and Chuck Davis.
Choreographic Approaches
- Executive Artistic Director/Choreographer
- Mr. Salaam's Contribution to dance is giving his experience and teaching at his dance company.
- Founder of Forces of Nature Dance Theater
- Mr. Salaam's Choreographic approach to dance was to show in the dance social political statements and environmental awareness.
- His mission was to make social political and environmental statements to live a life more in harmony with the ecosystem in our planet along with our issues and problems.
- Abdel Salaam believes about Dance/ Approach:Earth rights: Nature was our first teacher
- Mr. Salaam also has given a lot of significance to the African American Culture in American Modern Dance.
- Mr. Salaam's Dance is well received overall but especially by the youth group, Mr.Salaam had a especial connection teaching the kids at his company.
Press
- “Abdel R. Salaam… A choreographer with a sure and unmistakable voice of his own… Mr. Salaam works with traditional ritual and dance forms, moving beyond reproduction to dance… that is a vibrant expression of a new culture.”
- New York Times