Steve Rooks

Steve Rooks – New York. “a fine model of a Graham Dancer…electric” Anna Kissselgoff New York Times: “….it displays Rook’s finely turned body and the phenomenal drive and energy in the use of it” Kate O’Neil Journal Correspondent.

Steve Rooks began his dance training in Washington D.C. after graduating with honours from Dartmouth College. He continued his training in New York City on scholarship at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Centre. Mr Rooks has danced and toured with many noted companies. He joined the Martha Graham Dance Company in 1981 and was Principal Dancer until 1991. Has appeared in Metropolitan Opera House presentations, and televised performances including “Dancing for Life” AIDS benefit held at the New York State Theatre in 1987. He has appeared in television commercials and been acclaimed for his performances in many of the Graham Company’s repertoire.

He has been a guest artist with the Hakodate Ballet in Japan and toured with the Morning Star Classical Biblical Theater in 1996 to Israel. His distinguished career has taken him internationally as a dancer and choreographer along with being the recipient of a Vassar Research Grant for an Artist Residency in Riga, Latvia in 2002, and a 2004 winner of the Sixth Annual National Choreographic Competition sponsored by Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. He was also invited as a 2005 Artist-in-Residence at the Bliss Center for the Arts and Dramatic Force, International in Belize, Central America.

Mr Rooks is currently Resident Choreographer and Associate Professor of Dance at Vassar College, was one of the founding faculty member for the Dance Degree Program at Howard University, and is in demand internationally inspiring students of all ages.

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