Peter Sparling has had a long career as a dancer and dance professor at the University of Michigan, and now, as he approaches his 70th birthday, he is creating moving dance videos and has taken up painting. He talks with WEMU's Lisa Barry about his career and what inspires him to keep moving and creating art in many different forms.
Peter Sparling is the Rudolf Arnheim Distinguished University Professor Emeritus of Dance and an Arthur F. Thurnau Professor Emeritus at the University of Michigan. A graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy and The Juilliard School, Sparling was a member of the José Limón Dance Company (1971-73) and principal dancer with Martha Graham Dance Company (1973-87).
As Martha Graham’s assistant, he coached Rudolf Nureyev and collaborated with her on many new works. He has performed and staged Graham’s works all over the world and has appeared with the company twice on PBS Dance in America. His video curtain warmers, Beautiful Captives: Martha Graham and the Cinematic Id, Variations of Angels and Sacred/Profane have opened three of the company’s New York seasons.
He speaks with WEMU's Lisa Barry about his most recent work creating dance and movement videos and how he works to keep his body in shape as he turns 70 years old. He plans to be part of the Riverside Arts Center in Ypsilanti artist residency program in late August and will present his paintings at 20 North Gallery, also in Ypsilanti, next fall.
**Special thanks to Paul Keller for providing the Art & Soul theme music.**
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— Lisa Barry is the host of All Things Considered on WEMU. You can contact Lisa at 734.487.3363, on Twitter @LisaWEMU, or email her at lbarryma@emich.edu
