I live in coastal San Diego County tucked into a cul-de-sac between the 5 freeway, the Pacific ocean, and two lagoons. My neighborhood has a lot to offer in terms of wildlife viewing. Especially birds. I'm obsessed with birds. One of my favorites is the Cooper's hawk (Accipiter cooperii). There is one local hawk in particular who likes to sit on the streetlamp outside my window. He's so stoic and still. Suddenly, if you're lucky, you witness him take flight, swerving, darting, plunging as he hunts for his prey. I live for those moments.
The word 'Accipiter' has been in the back of my mind for a while. It started as a playlist for a choreographic project back in 2017, but the word was abandoned in favor of other more descriptive names for my work. As I built my body of work the name seems more and more appropriate. Accipiter is a genus of birds of prey that includes Cooper's hawks, goshawks, and sparrowhawks. Accipiters are among the most diverse genus of raptors and are the swiftest and most skillful fliers. When I'm watching Mr. Cooper's hawk, I am impressed by his speed, dexterity, but also his stillness. These are movement qualities I hope to embody in my work.
So, in honor of my feathered friend, welcome to my refreshed website with it's new name, Accipiter Dance.
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