Program: Catenary

A catenary is the curve that an idealized hanging rope assumes under its own weight when supported at its two ends. Using this definition and the physical relationship it describes as a conceptual framework, we move from the poles of the catenary curve into the dynamic space of the in-between. It is in this space where we embody the “middle voice,” a new grammar for understanding our Selves as inherently, inescapably relational beings, both in the context of this collaboration and beyond it – as mothers, daughters, mourners and rejoicers, visitors, guests and citizens.

HANNAH EPPERSON

(b. 1987, Utah) Crossing boundaries is a feature of Hannah Epperson’s life and music—from residence in the US and Canada to more than 300 live performances in North America, Europe and the Middle East. Singled out by Bandcamp as “one of the most stunningly unconventional artists making music today,” renowned musicologist/critic Ted Gioia chose her debut album Upsweep as one of the Top 3 recordings of 2016, calling it “unique, haunting, addictive.” Classically trained, her genre-bending violin looping and singing was enriched by apprenticeships with the fiddler of acclaimed Deseret String Band and studio work and performances with Fleet Foxes, Dirty Projectors, Julianna Barwick and Ry X. A graduate in Human Geography, a member of Canada’s world champion Ultimate Frisbee Team, Hannah embodies music as a bridge, gathering soundscapes and people together in transfiguring moments of live and studio performances.

REBECCA MARGOLICK

Rebecca Margolick is a Canadian/American dancer and choreographer. Her dance creations have been presented in eleven countries, and her solo works have won multiple awards. She recently returned to her hometown of Vancouver, B.C., after living in NYC for 14 years. She was named one of Dance Magazine’s Top 25 to Watch in 2021 and has received fellowships and residencies from Ailey’s New Directions Choreography Lab, Banff Centre, Derida Stage, Centro de las Artes San Luis Potosí, and more. She has been commissioned to create original works on Oregon Ballet Theater, La Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica, Arts Umbrella, NW Dance Project’s MOVE, and Ballet B.C.’s Annex. She has freelanced with many choreographers and was a company member of Sidra Bell Dance New York and UNA Productions. Alongside her projects, she is currently dancing in projects with Company 605, Charles-Alexis Desgagnés, Jason Martin, and Andrea Peña & Artists. Rebecca is an artistic advisor for BC Movement Arts Society, bringing contemporary dance to rural B.C. communities. She graduated from New York University and trained at Arts Umbrella.  

NILOUFAR NOURBAKHSH

Described as “darkly lyrical” by the New York Times and “séduisante” by Le Monde, an awardee of 2023 Chamber Music America Commissioning Grant, a winner of 2022 Beth Morrison Projects Next Generation Competition, and a 2019 recipient of Opera America’s Discovery Grant, Niloufar Nourbakhsh’s music has been performed at numerous festivals and venues including BBC Proms, Ojai Music Festival, Mostly Mozart at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and Philharmonie de Paris. A founding member and co-artistic director of Iranian Female Composers Association, Nourbakhsh is a strong advocate of music education and equal opportunities. She currently teaches theory and composition at Longy School of Music of Bard College and Berklee College of Music. Niloufar holds a doctorate degree from Stony Brook University and regularly performs with her Ensemble Decipher. 

Created during a residency in the remote town of Wells, B.C, Canada, the work was first performed at the 2019 ArtsWells Festival. This work has continued to develop through a residency at the Banff Centre for the Arts in December 2019. We revisited and reimagined the work in July 2024 during a DanceLAB residency at The Dance Centre in Vancouver, B.C. In October 2025, we have a creative and technical residency leading to the premiere of Catenary at PS21 in Chatham, New York. 

Support Acknowledgements: Canada Council for the Arts, Island Mountain Arts, ArtsWells, and Banff Center for the Arts. 

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