17 JUN 2020 Hi I am Reed Tankersley and I grew up dancing in the California Bay Area before moving to New York in 2010 to attend The Juilliard School for Dance. After graduating in 2014, I joined Twyla Tharp’s 50th Anniversary Tour and continued to be a lead performer in her work through 2018. I have also performed works by other New York based choreographers including: Jonah Bokaer at Hennessy’s 250th Anniversary, Jessica Lang for Seattle Opera’s “Aida”, and Broadway’s Chase Brock.

As my career has progressed, my idea of the stage has transformed to include digital opportunities in addition to the typical contemporary dance presentations I am used to. In recent years, I was featured in Dolce and Gabbana’s Men's Fashion Week runway show in Milan as a part of their millennial talent, I’ve been a main campaign model for Spotify Music and a movement coach for a Gap Summer Campaign. For the past year, I have had the honor of touring the country as the lead performer in Cirque Du Soleil’s, “Volta”.

COVID-19 has completely changed the way I am able to work. Going from a rigorous schedule of 8-11 shows per week with Cirque du Soleil, to no formal obligations, has been an interesting transition. Having the freedom to decide what and when I want to create and share has been a fruitful experience. I’m finding motivation to create work that feels important to me through musical and film influences and virtual collaborations with other quarantined artists.

When COVID-19 started I decided that it would be best to stay at my parents’ place in California where I would have space to move and have access to nature. With social distancing, I turned to creating dance that can be shared through video. I’ve been video calling friends to create movement and concepts to be translated into short videos. In a way, being away from the comfort of having “correct” decisions being made for me has pushed me to become a better/truer artist.

Fortunately, I have been quarantined with my father who is a photographer in San Francisco and has a studio we can safely work in. We’ve been creating a range of things from serious dance videos and stills, to silly videos with wigs (I have to admit, those might be my best quarantine work). I think with everything going on in the world it’s important to keep the humor and joy alive whenever possible and if pouring soda on yourself in a wig on a motorcycle is what you need to do, go for it!

I was recently inspired by a film I watched entitled “AVIVA”. The film is gender bending and heavily dance driven. It’s extremely thought provoking and cinematically beautiful. Definitely a must see in my opinion! Additionally, after watching “Rocketman” and Elton John’s COVID benefit concert, I was inspired to dance to his music. I contacted a long time friend and choreographer, Cheryl Copeland, and together we created a series of solos via Zoom.

I’m looking forward to moving in togetherness with people again. There’s something that can’t be recreated about the energy of dancing in a group. It’s a great momentous force that feeds your spirit to go forward and to be stronger than before.

I’ve been sharing most things I’ve been creating on my Instagram @tankerbell. Feel free to check it out and start a conversation. I am also represented by MSA Talent Agency in New York. You can always reach me through them. I’d love to connect.