M-Pulse

Music: Cristina Spinei (2008)
Choreography: Kiyon Gaines
Costume Design: Mark Zappone
Lighting Design: Randall G. Chiarelli
Duration: 20 minutes
Premiere: November 6, 2008; Pacific Northwest Ballet

The 2008 world premiere of Kiyon Gaines' M-Pulse was generously underwritten by Ernest & Diane Burgess.

Lindsi Dec and Karel Cruz in M-Pulse.
Photo © Angela Sterling

With M-Pulse, Kiyon Gaines created his first repertory work for Pacific Northwest Ballet. A member of PNB’s corps de ballet since 2001, Mr. Gaines choreographed his first ballet in 2005 for the Company's annual Choreographers' Showcase. He has since choreographed for numerous local and national dance companies. His 2006 Choreographers' Showcase ballet, ə {SCHWA}, was taken into PNB's repertory for the 2007 Celebrate Seattle Festival. "I am very honored as a choreographer to be constantly surrounded by the immense artistry of the dancers of PNB," says Mr. Gaines. "M-Pulse will be a further exploration of my choreographic voice as well as a showcase of the high-caliber talent my colleagues posses."

In 2008, Mr. Gaines participated in the prestigious New York Choreographic Institute, where he met Cristina Spinei, who will compose the score for M-Pulse. Ms. Spinei, a recent graduate of the Juilliard School, is in particular demand for her ballet and film scores. "M-Pulsee is driven by percussion," she explains. "In all three movements, I explore different ways that rhythm shapes the overall structure of the music. The first movement begins with a telluric percussion section that sets the foundation for the rest of the piece. A multi-metered ostinato bass line provides the structure of the slower and more lyrical second movement. The third movement combines both percussive and melodic elements of movements one and two." Ms. Spinei also shares about her compositional process and the importance of movement to her work: "If anyone were to see me compose, they would think I was crazy. If I like a certain theme or gesture, I’ll get up and start dancing to it. If my music doesn't make me move in some way, then I discard it. To me, the best music triggers a physical response and is inextricably connected to movement. I hope to capture that impulse of creative discovery in this new piece."

Notes by Doug Fullington.