DIRECTOR'S BIO:Born in Tokyo, Japan to a Japanese mother and Irish-American father, Leda Elliott grew up in both the United States and Japan. She received her initial dance training abroad at The Ballet Arts of Carnegie Hall, studying under Aiko Ohtaki, one of the first females to teach ballet in Japan, and then at The Walnut Hill School of Performing Arts in Wellesley, MA. She began her Wushu training (Chinese Martial Arts) in 1986, and her traditional Wudang T'ai Chi training in 1996 under Master Bow Sim Mark. She has participated in several International and Regional tournaments receiving various medals for her performance abilities, including the 2000 World Wushu Festival in Shanghai where she received honors for The Best Demonstration in Women's Traditional Tai Chi, and Women's Traditional Weapons.
DeAnna began training and performing with Leda Elliott in 1999 through a collaboration between Leda and Bennett Dance Company. During this collaboration DeAnna was first introduced to various Tai Chi forms including Yang style, snake form, southern fist, northern fist, meditation and fan. In 2001, DeAnna began work on "Dreamcatcher", a full length production choreographed and directed by Leda which blends aspects of wushu, tango, dance, opera, piano and theater. Again sponsored by the BCA, this production was featured as part of their City Sound Program, taking place in the Historic Cyclorama on Tremont Street in Boston. DeAnna performed "Eternal Circle", a piece combining movements of BaGua, T'ai Chi Sleeves and modern dance and "The Awakening", a piece utilizing Wushu spear.
CLICK HERE to view an excerpt from "Dreamcatcher".
