This May, Judson-era choreographer Aileen Passloff celebrates her 40th anniversary as a faculty member with Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, NY.

Originally trained in ballet, Passloff became known for her work with the postmodern choreographers of Judson Dance Theater in the 1960s. In addition to teaching dance at Bard, Passloff conducts interdisciplinary composition workshops for young writers, dancers, painters and filmmakers as part of the Bard High School Early College Program in Manhattan.

To celebrate her work, the Bard dance program is sponsoring performances May, 1–2, at the Richard B. Fisher Center for Performing Arts. Students and alum Arthur Aviles will perform Passloff’s Nocturne for Bob (2001), Paseo (2005) and a dance she made in the 1970s to one of Erik Satie’s Gymnopédies. Passloff herself will

perform in a premiere by Toby Amour, To Be Continued. The concert will be repeated on June 4 at Judson Memorial Church in New York City. Passloff will also receive the Bardian Award, presented to a distinguished member of the Bard community.

“When I look back on the last 40 years,” Passloff says, “what most excites me are the nifty kids I’ve had a chance to work with—their ambitions, their energy and their passion about work. They’re cheeky and outspoken. I like having people who challenge me.”