A 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Modern Dance Company. Showcasing original professional work by Olivia Davis and providing educational programs. Ms.
About the Artistic Director:
Olivia Sabulao Ilano-Davis was born in the Philippines and grew up in western Massachusetts. She holds a BFA in Theater and Dance from Smith College and has pursued an advanced degree in education at the University of Massachusetts. She studied and danced at The Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, The Clarke Center for the Performing Arts and Henry Street Settlement.
02/18/2025
"Dance is the fist with which I fight the sickening ignorance of prejudice." - Dr. Pearl Primus
Join us for our annual Black History Month Dance Performance.
https://www.facebook.com/share/166sMKDn2Q/
09/17/2024
We're two weeks away from our fundraiser!
Tickets: https://givebutter.com/SD24
Saturday October 5th
5-9PM
Theater of the Performing Arts
359 Washington St, Hartford, CT 06106
Spectrum in Motion Dance Theater Ensemble, Inc is a BIPOC owned and operated non-profit dance organization that is dedicated People of Color and the American experience. Founded in 1982 by choreographer Olivia S Ilano Davis, Spectrum in Motion is singularly American in its method drawing from the integration of techniques from modern to ballet and traditional dance from the Global South, classical to contemporary, organic, and somatic to our body intelligence.
This year we are honored to introduce the Bayanihan Awards.
Three awards granted to individuals or a business that shares the same solidarity and camaraderie in achieving our mission to create a sustainable home to present dance and develop equitable access to dance education for emerging artists and future leaders.
As a leading dance organization in Greater Hartford, we are excited to honor these three amazing black women trailblazers.
Aesha Ash: Founder of The Swan Dreams Project; and Head of Artistic Health & Wellness at School of American Ballet.
Mickey Davidson: Founder of Mickey D. & Friends; and served as the artisit-in-resident at Wesylean University for 17 years, teaching Jazz & Tap from a historical and cultural perspective.
Kim Stroud: was a principal soloist with the Martha Graham Dance Company for 11 years and danced with the Metropolitan Opera Ballet; she has also been the Director of the Arts for Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts for the past several years.
09/16/2024
Join us for Solos & Duets on Oct 5, 5-9 PM at 359 Washington St, Hartford, CT! Enjoy an evening of dance, community, and celebration, featuring a full dance concert, Bayanihan Awards Ceremony, and more!
07/22/2024
We are SOARING through the summer!
Our backs are longer.
Our arms are held at full wingspan.
We are flying!
This summer, using a keen eye, we take to the sky, and to the land, and to the water to observe the colorful, wondrous, and vast world of birds. On our journey, we will visit the marshes and discover a crane, hangout with the robin in our backyard, or dive into the icy waters with penguins, and along the way, we will be enlightened by the magic of the Sankofa.
Join us for our 21st anniversary of Instruments of Culture!
21 Years of original children's ballet choreographed by Olivia Ilano-Davis, Spectrum in Motion Founder & Artistic/Executive Director.
Join us on Saturday August 10th at the Wadsworth Atheneum for an afternoon of dance and birdwatching.
Learn More:
https://givebutter.com/IOC24
02/10/2024
Happy New Year!
May this new year bring an abundance of wondrous memories with family, friends, and neighbors near and far and a ferocious determination to achieve your goals.
02/01/2024
Now Hiring Summer Interns!
Applications Close Sunday April 14th at 11:59pm
We're looking for College and High School Students eager to continue their dance education through the summer.
**Must be 16 at time of Program
Apply Here
https://conta.cc/3ue4R91
- Program Dates: June 17th - August 10th
- Stipend $$
- Dance Intensive: Modern, Ballet, Character, Traditional/Folkloric, Pointe
- Student Mentoring
- Culminating Performance
01/15/2024
Watch Here:
https://youtu.be/XpdU-piW9wM?feature=shared
Founded in 1982, Spectrum in Motion is a dance theater ensemble dedicated to People of Color and the American experience.
We celebrate with you and our nation the Rev. / Dr. Martin Luther King Day honoring his teachings of fellowship and mentorship and citizenship.
Spectrum in Motion takes this day to say his name.
Here’s to caring and carrying on!
Happy MLK Day!
SIMDTE Celebrates MLK Day 2024 Founded in 1982, Spectrum in Motion is a dance theater ensemble dedicated to People of Color and the American experience.We celebrate with you and our nation...
11/08/2023
Congratulations to alumni Connor Martin on his mayoral win for the city of East Hartford! We look forward to his growing leadership and continued commitment to the community. We are proud of all that you've accomplished!
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Connor Martin, a DPCY (Dance Program for City Youth) alumni, was selected by Spectrum in Motion's founder, Olivia Ilano-Davis for a dance scholarship to attend Hartford Ballet. Connor has remained true to his roots and is a stedfast advocate for arts education.
Dance reveals insights into where our passion lies.
10/16/2023
Olivia Ilano-Davis, Bobby Davis, Catherine Corto-Mergins, Mia Douglas, James Woobear Lewis, JIll Henderson, Rachna Ramya, Stephen Haynes, Steve Mitchell, Tristan Roden-Drummond, Norma Y. LaVoie, Yusef Kardulis, Lida Terry Mullarkey, Ben Terry, Erica Thompson, Jack A. Pott, Marie Acosta, Melody Thomas, Jonathan Figueroa, Judene Antoinette Jean-Louis
It is with great sadness to announce the passing of our beloved Mrs. Carol.
We write to you in the spirit of Ubuntu and in celebration and thanksgiving of
Spectrum in Motion Dance Theatre Ensemble’s Managing Director, Board Member, and Friend, Carol Terry.
An African philosophy that speaks to the universal humanity inherently present in all and the acknowledgment that “I am what I am because of who we all are,” Ubuntu captures the heart of Spectrum’s friendship and collaboration with Carol for over its two+ decades in the Greater Hartford Community.
A vision of Founder and Artistic Director, Olivia Ilano-Davis, Spectrum in Motion first made its home in the Pioneer Valley/5 College Community of Western Massachusetts. The company holds deep gratitude for the leadership of Benjamin and Carol Terry and their support in helping the company establish its roots as a 501c3 nonprofit in the state of Connecticut.
A Champion of the Arts, and in particular dance, Carol leveraged her connections and relationships in the Greater Hartford arts community and Asylum Hill Congregational Church, to ensure Spectrum’s legacy of creating a sustainable home to present dance and develop equitable access to dance education for emerging artists and future leaders remained a viable option for youth and young adults in the city of Hartford and beyond.
The Spectrum in Motion Dance Theatre Ensemble Staff and Board of Directors salutes Carol Terry and the Terry family for their unwavering love and support and wishes them well in the days to come.
10/16/2023
It is with great sadness to announce the passing of our beloved Mrs. Carol.
We write to you in the spirit of Ubuntu and in celebration and thanksgiving of
Spectrum in Motion Dance Theatre Ensemble’s Managing Director, Board Member, and Friend, Carol Terry.
An African philosophy that speaks to the universal humanity inherently present in all and the acknowledgment that “I am what I am because of who we all are,” Ubuntu captures the heart of Spectrum’s friendship and collaboration with Carol for over its two+ decades in the Greater Hartford Community.
A vision of Founder and Artistic Director, Olivia Ilano-Davis, Spectrum in Motion first made its home in the Pioneer Valley/5 College Community of Western Massachusetts. The company holds deep gratitude for the leadership of Benjamin and Carol Terry and their support in helping the company establish its roots as a 501c3 nonprofit in the state of Connecticut.
A Champion of the Arts, and in particular dance, Carol leveraged her connections and relationships in the Greater Hartford arts community and Asylum Hill Congregational Church, to ensure Spectrum’s legacy of creating a sustainable home to present dance and develop equitable access to dance education for emerging artists and future leaders remained a viable option for youth and young adults in the city of Hartford and beyond.
The Spectrum in Motion Dance Theatre Ensemble Staff and Board of Directors salutes Carol Terry and the Terry family for their unwavering love and support and wishes them well in the days to come.
06/04/2023
Happy Pride Month!
As a community of people who don't shy from the difficult conversations, we often question our belonging in spaces.
Know that you belong here.