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PS DANCE! | A Rally for Dance Education

PS DANCE! | A Rally for Dance Education

by Nel Shelby | Jul 8, 2020 | Dance Film, Livestream

Back in April, Governor Andrew Cuomo confirmed that schools across New York will remain closed for the rest of the 2019-20 school year. Not long after that, Mayor de Blasio announced significant cuts to the city’s budget, with drastic reductions impacting arts and...

DANCE/NYC: #ArtistsAreNecessaryWorkers

DANCE/NYC: #ArtistsAreNecessaryWorkers

by Nel Shelby | Jul 6, 2020 | Promotional Video

Dance/NYC is declaring loudly that #ArtistsAreNecessaryWorkers!

Finding #TheLight During These Challenging Times

Finding #TheLight During These Challenging Times

by Nel Shelby | Apr 17, 2020 | Warm Note

I've been homeschooling my kids with Christopher while running both of our businesses from home. We’ve had some big family finance discussions. We’ve furloughed some of our team and started navigating small business finance options during this crisis. We’re planning...

Dance Video Tips for Artists Canceling and Postponing Performances

Dance Video Tips for Artists Canceling and Postponing Performances

by Nel Shelby | Mar 17, 2020 | Video Tip

As we continue to hear news about postponed or canceled events and performances, and theatre and museum shutdowns, we urge you to please keep engaging with your audiences with love and empathy.

Dance Feature by Christopher Duggan | Calvin Royal III

Dance Feature by Christopher Duggan | Calvin Royal III

by Nel Shelby | Mar 11, 2020 | Dance Feature

Guest Post by Nel’s husband, photographer Christopher Duggan. I first met Calvin Royal III when he was a student at The School at Jacob's Pillow. I didn't get a chance to work with him until several years later, when he came back to the Pillow to perform with...

Promotional Dance Videos | New York Live Arts

Promotional Dance Videos | New York Live Arts

by Nel Shelby | Mar 2, 2020 | Promotional Video

During the month of January, we worked with Tyler Ashley, the Marketing Director at New York Live Arts, to make short promos for three different shows. The first was for Abby Z and the New Utility, who I have had the pleasure of meeting at Jacob’s Pillow. Her work is...

Live-streaming Dance Education Laboratory’s Movement Sentence Choir

Live-streaming Dance Education Laboratory’s Movement Sentence Choir

by Nel Shelby | Feb 25, 2020 | Livestream

Live-streaming an event this important is a HUGE honor.

Promotional Videos for Vail Dance Festival

Promotional Videos for Vail Dance Festival

by Nel Shelby | Feb 5, 2020 | Promotional Video

We’re going on 10 magical summers at Vail Dance Festival…

This Year Already Feels SO Good!!

This Year Already Feels SO Good!!

by Nel Shelby | Jan 31, 2020 | Warm Note

This is an important time to lift each other up. Our team hopes to do this through video, and most importantly, through kindness.

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Dance Documentary • Dance Film • Fundraising Video • Performance Video • Promotional Video • Video Tip

I'm so grateful for the beauty @ballethispanico br

I'm so grateful for the beauty @ballethispanico brings to the world.

Don’t miss it: Noche Unidos: A Ballet Hispánico Night of Dance and Unity on Tuesday, June 30 at 7:30pm EDT.

This virtual event is hosted by @ervilaro with premieres by countless incredible performers and appearances by celebrities like Gloria Estefan (AHHHH I am such an 80s girl), Norman Lear, Lin-Manuel Miranda and more!

@ashlibickford, on my team and I have worked closely with Josh Preston, the Executive Producer of the evening and the whole Ballet Hispánico team on editing the evening.

Ballet Hispanico produced everything. Ashli and I made two short videos (my favorite thing to do is edit quick dance clips, so look for that!!) and Ashli pulled everything together to create a beautiful event.

I am really, really proud to be a part of the celebration of Ballet Hispánico's legacy.

Photo 📸: @cduggandancephotos // #ballethispanico #filmdance #dancevideo

I’m still on a high from Dance We Must and hope

I’m still on a high from Dance We Must and hope that never ends.
.
I’m so grateful to everyone who worked on this show for the rich, thoughtful creation we all made together.
.
The experience Saturday night was incredible—
the gorgeous artists
the beauty of the Pillow
my mother crying watching it
texts pouring in from friends and artists
Jack falling asleep at top of show
Ronald K. Brown / @evidencedance tearing up
@browngirldance, DJ DP One & an amazing dance party...
.
That rainy day in 2001 when I pulled into the Pillow and sat down for orientation with “J.R.” was a day that changed my life. Who knew 19 years later I’d create a show from my home office with a wonderful team of Pillow people that would mark a time in history.
.
I can feel we brought joy to what is our toughest time in history, at least in our lifetime.
.
There's no place like @jacobspillow.
.
Don't miss this show, it disappears tonight at 7pm!! Link in bio. 💜 // #jacobspillow #dancewemust #pillowcommunity

Celebrating @cduggandancephotos today. Happy Fath

Celebrating @cduggandancephotos today.

Happy Father's Day to a chill, happy, fun, creative and thoughtful man. 💜 You are an incredible Father.

Gracie and Jack think the world of you, and you know I do too!!! We love you Christopher Duggan. 😘

Tonight’s the night!!!! My team and I have worke

Tonight’s the night!!!! My team and I have worked so hard to create the perfect Virtual Event for @jacobspillow!!! I hope you’ll tune in. The show is SO FUN!!! If you’ve never experienced the Pillow before, now is your chance!!! RSVP at the link in my my bio! 💜💜💜 // #DANCEWEMUST

If you follow me, know me, or have just been aroun

If you follow me, know me, or have just been around me, you know how @jacobspillow began my career and is a huge part of my life and my family’s life.
.
My entire NSP team except one person is a former Jacob’s Pillow intern or colleague—the ties that bring together anyone who has experienced the Pillow run deep.
.
When Pamela Tatge, Director of Jacob’s Pillow, asked me to produce their virtual benefit, Dance We Must, I was honored.
.
I felt so grateful to share the Pillow in this way. Pam said to me, “Isn’t this amazing? We can normally fit roughly 600 people in the Ted Shawn Theatre for the gala, and now people all over the world can watch.”
.
The show we have put together is beautiful. My team, consisting of @lorenrobertsonproductions, @benrichfilm, @jesskaris and @a_mbermarie, is the MOST talented—and, all of them worked at the Pillow with me at one point. They all LOVE the Pillow like I do, like we all do.
.
What did it take to make this show? A lot of love, creativity, collaboration and thought.
.
The Pillow staff is nothing short of amazing. During the show, you will hear many people talking about the Pillow as a place they call home. This is exactly what it is: a home, an artistic pilgrimage, a love of dance embodied. ❤️
.
During these challenging times, we must dance. We must look to art to find relief, to find answers.
.
I hope you’ll tune in on Saturday!! RSVP at the link in my bio.
.
🎥: @nelshelby // #dancewemust #jacobspillow #pillowcommunity

A HUGE congratulations to Ronald K. Brown (@eviden

A HUGE congratulations to Ronald K. Brown (@evidencedance) for being selected as the 2020 Jacob’s Pillow Dance Award recipient!

I recorded him yesterday giving his acceptance speech. He really is the most heartfelt and thoughtful person. He radiates love, and he is genuinely committed to community engagement.

Come celebrate Ronald K. Brown with us this Saturday, June 20 at 7pm EDT at @jacobspillow’s Virtual Event: Dance We Must. I’m producing the whole show with my incredible team!

Video 🎥: Behind-The-Scenes at Jacob’s Pillow: Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE with Arturo O’Farrill and Resist (2018); Video by @nelshelby // #RonaldKBrown #EvidenceDance #JacobsPillowAward #JacobsPillow #DanceWeMust

Black lives matter and have always mattered. 🖤

Black lives matter and have always mattered. 🖤
_
The racism and acts of injustice in our country cannot be tolerated.
_
I was 23 years old when I applied to be an intern at @jacobspillow. Carmella Vassor-Johnson hired me and changed my life.
_
She then introduced me to @jawolezollar, Founder of @ubwdance. Jawole asked me to work in her office as administration support. About six months in, my UBW colleague Vanessa Manley encouraged me to buy myself a camera and laptop and start filming dance for real in NYC.
_
These three Black women changed my life. They championed me and supported me.
_
My career and my art would be NOTHING without the countless Black artists, mentors and team members I have worked with over the years.
_
That being said, this moment in time has called my family and I into deeper listening, learning and action towards supporting and advocating for the BIPOC community.
_
Including the many people that have supported, worked with me and loved me as I grew my business.
_
There is a new level of consciousness in our world and in our country right.
_
The conversations I have been having with clients specifically is at a whole new level.
_
As hard as these conversations can be, they are what needs to happen right now in order to create change.
_
I promise to bring more attention to the art, contributions and activism of Black artists I have filmed, and the Black team members I have worked with over 18 years.
_
My wish is they are treated with love, grace and respect like the rest of us.
_
I will keep thinking, listening, meditating, praying for how I, along with my company, can stand up to racial injustice.
_
As @onepeloton instructor, @tune2tunde said on my ride the other day: "If Black lives do NOT matter, there is no ALL."
_
🎨: by @shopsundae // #blacklivesmatter #blackdancematters #blackdancers

@camilleabrown & Dancers premiered ‘BLACK GIRL:

@camilleabrown & Dancers premiered ‘BLACK GIRL: Linguistic Play’ at @thejoycetheater in September 2015.

I remember my team and I were so impressed and moved by the piece. 😍 I still am, to this day!! // #filmdance #camilleabrown

#blackouttuesday #theshowmustbepaused

#blackouttuesday #theshowmustbepaused

#ICYMI: We had a screening of @psdancenyc with a l

#ICYMI: We had a screening of @psdancenyc with a live Q&A on Facebook earlier this week.

We prepped for the Watch Party for about 2 weeks. We wanted everything to be perfect.

I put on my Director’s hat and led everyone through what should happen, and when... you can see a little bit of that in this video, which was filmed moments before we went live! Thanks, @cdugganphoto!

What an incredible live event it was.

Thank you to all who was involved – from my tech team, @a_mbermarie and @benrichfilm to my marketing team, @amyjacobus and @pjac0 to the inspiring dance educators and advocates, @danceedlab, @tarynvanderhoop, @sullivanlally, Joan Finkelstein... and I can’t forget a HUGE thank you to Executive Producer of PS DANCE!, @jodyarnhold!

The engagement before, during and after the even was mind blowing, and the rally for dance education was beyond my wildest dreams.

It was very clear that people needed this. 💜

If you missed out, a replay is available. Click the link in my bio for some #danceeducation inspiration. // #psdance #danceforeverychild #danceeducators #supportdance #danceinschools

The blessing about this time has been getting to k

The blessing about this time has been getting to know my kids. I mean *really* getting to know them.

I spent most of my days rushing around commuting, going from one thing to the next, hurrying up getting them fed, exhausted and attempting to spend quality time.

Now in this time that’s not easy, where I’ve felt deep grief for my world, my #dancecommunity, my friends, family... but in that I have found a rich, deep seeded joy for myself, my husband and most importantly my kids.

I see them in a new way. I have compassion for them. I can say I enjoy them, I adore them, I want to be with them.

Don’t get me wrong, I wanted this before, but it felt forced. Now it feels real and deep and fun. It took time to settle into this!

I can not imagine being 6 or 11 at this time where friends and social interactions are so important.

They’ve had super tough days, but mostly have become grounded in this moment in time.

This is #thelight right now for me. I’m so grateful and moved by them.

A huge shout-out to @cdugganphoto for being such an amazing Dad with these two! Seeing his transformation during this time has been mind blowing.

I send so much compassion out to all the Moms and Dads raising kids in this moment in time. I feel you. ❤️🌈🙏🏻

My team and I worked on a virtual convocation for

My team and I worked on a virtual convocation for @teacherscollege.

Gosh am I grateful that I, along with my team, can use our skills to get messages like these out on video – even if we can’t film events live and in-person.

Teachers College was so thoughtful about creating this convocation for their graduates. I was so touched by all their efforts.

A HUGE thank you to @ashlibickford, @reininja, @bnovak3232, @cdugganphoto, @benrichfilm, @thereallucyshelby, @_std_ and @cbbuesing for helping me with this project.

Swipe through to watch a few familiar faces who took their time to send their well-wishes and messages to the Teachers College graduates! 🎓

Videos 🎥: Dr. Jill Biden (@drbiden); Nikole Hannah-Jones; President Thomas Bailey; Hillary Clinton (@hillaryclinton); Neil DeGrasse Tyson (@neildegrassetyson); Amber Kim (EdM ’20); Jacqueline Woodson (@jacqueline_woodson); Rachel Norman (MA ‘20, Ed Policy); Jelani Cobb (@jelani1906) & Amann Syed Ahmad (MA '20). // #ComeTogetherTC #RoarLions2020 #Classof2020

Some #behindthescenes moments of my rockstar team

Some #behindthescenes moments of my rockstar team helping me put together content for @teacherscollege’s convocation. We are live-streaming the convocation on May 20!! I can hardly wait. 💜 // #bts #teacherscollege #congratsgrads🎓

Over the past few weeks, we have been diving into

Over the past few weeks, we have been diving into the best ways to stream live with both pre-recorded and/or live content.

Helping bring art into people’s homes is what NSP has been practicing and doing for the past 10 years.

We love to produce livestreams, and now with all of us at home it is a new opportunity to do exactly this but in a new, engaging way.

Who would have ever thought we would be celebrating all of life’s milestones from our own living rooms?! 💜

I am so grateful to work in video so I can help people celebrate together, while they’re actually apart!

One of our newest projects this spring is to produce a virtual convocation for @teacherscollege in NYC.

Having the opportunity to provide students with the love and support they would have felt if they were having the ceremony in person makes me feel so happy!

Here we are, finding more ways to inspire and to spread joy. Harnessing video and technology to do it.

If you or anyone you know is looking to produce a virtual event, please send them our way!! Maybe you know a school, college or program that wants to honor and delight their students with a virtual graduation, or are looking to host a virtual benefit or gala… Let’s talk! 🎥💌 // #filmdance #femalefilmmakers #livestream #onlinegraduation

Start them young. 😂🎥💜 My husband @cduggan

Start them young. 😂🎥💜 My husband @cdugganphoto is doing a family photography project for the next few weeks. We had Jack help us with video and sound. Swipe to see Jack’s reaction when he realized he forgot to hit “record”! 😂 // #thelight #videofamily #kidsofinstagram

I’m not sure if you heard, but @danceagainstcanc

I’m not sure if you heard, but @danceagainstcancer will be showing some never-before-seen footage from their first ever performance back in 2011 TONIGHT at 8pm EST!

#DanceAgainstCancer is incredible. My husband and I have filmed and photographed for the event the past few years now.

I hope you’ll be able to tune in and show your support!

For more information, visit @danceagainstcancer’s page. 💜

Photo 📸: @wendyw and @brianreeder111 by @cduggandancephotos // #filmdance #dancevideo #curecancer

The theater is my safe place, my happy place, and

The theater is my safe place, my happy place, and I want so badly to be there now.

I have been filming dance in the theater for 18 years. I still get butterflies when the lights go out.

I long for that feeling of togetherness, the chills, the liveliness.

The online performances, the effort to do online dance classes, the sharing, the pivoting, the thinking, the inventing... all of it is so needed right now, but at the end of the day, I want to be in the theater, the *actual* theater.

I miss everyone. I am an entrepreneur, I love new ideas, I love figuring out new ways of doing things, I love trouble-shooting and thinking and collaborating. That is #thelight in all of this, but I still miss the theater.

When the future is impossible to predict and we can barely plan beyond our nose, I am looking forward to that moment where I am back sitting in the theater – whether I'm watching or filming.

I can't wait. It will feel so good.

Photo 📸: @cduggandancephotos

Thinking of @adm21c. We were SO excited to film fo

Thinking of @adm21c. We were SO excited to film for them this month. I can’t wait until we are all able to be together again. Sharing with you three of my favorite photos @cduggandancephotos has made for the company in the past. 😍

Taking @dbyer34’s ballet class on @mydancio with

Taking @dbyer34’s ballet class on @mydancio with G. 💞 // #thelight #dancefamily #tinydancer

I learned the Cunningham technique while in I was

I learned the Cunningham technique while in I was in college.

I loved it so much. It reminded me of my core constantly… So much strength involved in dancing Cunningham!

In honor of Merce Cunningham’s 101st birthday, I am sharing three short clips from last year’s celebration, “Night of 100 Solos” – my team live-streamed it in NYC, LA and London.

Merce Cunningham is an icon, so to be challenged with live-streaming and filming his work was truly an honor.

He was always interested in technology and video. Experimenting, pushing boundaries.

If you missed the livestream last year, @mercetrust is sharing it again!! Go check it out. It was an unforgettable experience. 💜

Video 🎥 by @nelshelby; Cover Photo 📸 by Genaro Molina for @latimes // #merceday #mercecunningham #dancehistory #filmdance

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I'm so grateful for the beauty @ballethispanico br

I'm so grateful for the beauty @ballethispanico brings to the world.

Don’t miss it: Noche Unidos: A Ballet Hispánico Night of Dance and Unity on Tuesday, June 30 at 7:30pm EDT.

This virtual event is hosted by @ervilaro with premieres by countless incredible performers and appearances by celebrities like Gloria Estefan (AHHHH I am such an 80s girl), Norman Lear, Lin-Manuel Miranda and more!

@ashlibickford, on my team and I have worked closely with Josh Preston, the Executive Producer of the evening and the whole Ballet Hispánico team on editing the evening.

Ballet Hispanico produced everything. Ashli and I made two short videos (my favorite thing to do is edit quick dance clips, so look for that!!) and Ashli pulled everything together to create a beautiful event.

I am really, really proud to be a part of the celebration of Ballet Hispánico's legacy.

Photo 📸: @cduggandancephotos // #ballethispanico #filmdance #dancevideo

I’m still on a high from Dance We Must and hope

I’m still on a high from Dance We Must and hope that never ends.
.
I’m so grateful to everyone who worked on this show for the rich, thoughtful creation we all made together.
.
The experience Saturday night was incredible—
the gorgeous artists
the beauty of the Pillow
my mother crying watching it
texts pouring in from friends and artists
Jack falling asleep at top of show
Ronald K. Brown / @evidencedance tearing up
@browngirldance, DJ DP One & an amazing dance party...
.
That rainy day in 2001 when I pulled into the Pillow and sat down for orientation with “J.R.” was a day that changed my life. Who knew 19 years later I’d create a show from my home office with a wonderful team of Pillow people that would mark a time in history.
.
I can feel we brought joy to what is our toughest time in history, at least in our lifetime.
.
There's no place like @jacobspillow.
.
Don't miss this show, it disappears tonight at 7pm!! Link in bio. 💜 // #jacobspillow #dancewemust #pillowcommunity

Celebrating @cduggandancephotos today. Happy Fath

Celebrating @cduggandancephotos today.

Happy Father's Day to a chill, happy, fun, creative and thoughtful man. 💜 You are an incredible Father.

Gracie and Jack think the world of you, and you know I do too!!! We love you Christopher Duggan. 😘

Tonight’s the night!!!! My team and I have worke

Tonight’s the night!!!! My team and I have worked so hard to create the perfect Virtual Event for @jacobspillow!!! I hope you’ll tune in. The show is SO FUN!!! If you’ve never experienced the Pillow before, now is your chance!!! RSVP at the link in my my bio! 💜💜💜 // #DANCEWEMUST

If you follow me, know me, or have just been aroun

If you follow me, know me, or have just been around me, you know how @jacobspillow began my career and is a huge part of my life and my family’s life.
.
My entire NSP team except one person is a former Jacob’s Pillow intern or colleague—the ties that bring together anyone who has experienced the Pillow run deep.
.
When Pamela Tatge, Director of Jacob’s Pillow, asked me to produce their virtual benefit, Dance We Must, I was honored.
.
I felt so grateful to share the Pillow in this way. Pam said to me, “Isn’t this amazing? We can normally fit roughly 600 people in the Ted Shawn Theatre for the gala, and now people all over the world can watch.”
.
The show we have put together is beautiful. My team, consisting of @lorenrobertsonproductions, @benrichfilm, @jesskaris and @a_mbermarie, is the MOST talented—and, all of them worked at the Pillow with me at one point. They all LOVE the Pillow like I do, like we all do.
.
What did it take to make this show? A lot of love, creativity, collaboration and thought.
.
The Pillow staff is nothing short of amazing. During the show, you will hear many people talking about the Pillow as a place they call home. This is exactly what it is: a home, an artistic pilgrimage, a love of dance embodied. ❤️
.
During these challenging times, we must dance. We must look to art to find relief, to find answers.
.
I hope you’ll tune in on Saturday!! RSVP at the link in my bio.
.
🎥: @nelshelby // #dancewemust #jacobspillow #pillowcommunity

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