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Photo:
David Alan Miller
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The
10 most significant individual contributors to the performing
arts in theater, dance, cinema and classical music of the
past 30 years
The
vast array of significant arts institutions in the Capital
Region would be nothing without the impressive careers and
contributions of the individuals who have built and sustained
them. Topping the list of significant individual contributions
in the performing arts is David Alan Miller, musical director
and conductor of the Albany Symphony Orchestra. Miller has
established himself as a prominent conductor of American classical
music, and under his 17-year leadership the ASO has regularly
premiered new works of American modern classical music. Miller’s
extraordinary career includes frequent gigs as a guest conductor
for major metropolitan orchestras, including the Chicago Symphony
and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Of course, we like to think
his most significant work is done right here in Albany.
Bookending the list at No. 9 and 10 with their own contributions
to the area’s classical music scene are Ann Marie Barker-Schwartz,
founder of chamber music ensemble Musicians of Ma’Alwyck and
Dan Berkenblit, director of the acclaimed Union College Chamber
Music series.
In the No. 2 spot, relative newcomer Philip Morris, CEO of
Proctor’s Theater led a $30 million makeover of the historic
Schenectady theater, recreating Proctors as a comprehensive
performing arts center. Proctors’ offerings and operating
budget have more than quadrupled since Morris took on the
charge seven years ago. In Albany, Egg executive director
Peter Lesser has invigorated the Empire State Plaza’s infamous
ellipsoid.
Maude Baum, the Grande Dame of area dance, founding member
of eba and artistic director of Maude Baum and Company Dance
Theatre, has been working in the field of dance theater for
more than 45 years. Her multi-award-winning career as a dancer,
choreographer, educator and arts advocate has deeply shaped
the area’s vivid dance life, along with the contributions
of Ellen Sinopoli, artistic director of Ellen Sinopoli Dance
Company, the Egg’s 16-year-strong resident dance company.
And in the realm of theater, Patricia Snyder’s decades-long
commitment to educational theater brought about the New York
State Theatre Institute, the New York’s professional educational
theater company, for which Snyder continues to serve as Producing
Artistic Director. The company’s commitment to offering high-quality
theater, innovative arts education, international creative
exchange, and producing new work earned NYSTI folks two spots
on the list. Ed. Lange, who served as NYSTI’s associate artistic
director for 25 years was designated No. 5 for his influential
work as a director, playwright, educator and arts administrator.
Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill, Capital Repertory Theatre Producing
Artistic Director secured the 6th-place honor, just as the
theater announced their 29th season . . . one more year till
another proud 30th!
Survey
respondents ranked up to 10 choices, and points were tallied
as follows: 10 for 1st place, 9 for 2nd, and so on.
1.
David Alan Miller (34)
2. Phillip Morris (25)
3. Maude Baum (24)
4. Patricia Snyder (22)
5.
Ed. Lange (20)
6. Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill (18)
7. Ellen Sinopoli (17)
8. Peter Lesser (13)
9. Ann Marie Barker-Schwartz (11)
10. Dan Berkenblit (10)
>>
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