Oregon Dance Consort

 

Oregon Dance Consort a modern dance eight-member ensemble company was founded in 1978 and granted its 501(c)(3) status in 1979. Its established objectives were to perform and present modern dance concerts of substantial artistic merit; to train dancers, teachers and choreographers; and to introduce new audiences to dance. The founding co-artistic directors were Judith Catterall and David Harrington and their company toured extensively throughout Washington and Oregon. Their full-time studio operations were initially conducted at 615 SE Alder in Portland Oregon and then at several east side studio locations thereafter.

 

 

In 1987, Ray Terrill was invited to join the Consort as co-artistic director. Ongoing classes and workshops were offered and taught by David, Judith and Ray. The Consort built a repertoire of dance works, which were performed at numerous concerts supported with grants from the NEA, regional, state, county and city arts funding organizations as well as foundations and corporations. Many concerts were featured at the Portland Center for Performing Arts, Winningstad Theater and International Firehouse Cultural Center. At the same time, they frequently served as guest artists in the concert works of other modern dance companies and independent artists.

 

 

In 1987, ODC began producing an annual performing arts season called Pulse/Impulse, which presented the work of twelve local seasoned and emerging choreographers. Then in 1991, ODC transitioned Pulse/Impulse into a multi-cultural performance art showcase called Harmonia. These concerts were performed for several seasons at the International Firehouse Cultural Center.

 

That same year ODC spearheaded and organized the development of an arts service organization called the Dance Coalition of Oregon. This organization was designed to serve the needs of dance and performance artists statewide. Judith served as founding Executive Director. Ray was elected Executive Director in 1991 and served through 1994. The Coalition continues to serve the needs of Oregon performing artists. 

 

 

For several years Ray and Judith taught modern dance classes through the City of Portland Arts programming at locations including Mt. Tabor Cultural Center, Firehouse Theater and Laurelhurst Park. They also taught classes and workshops and produced concerts at the International Firehouse Cultural Center. Ray was a long time modern dance teacher at Dancer's Workshop. 

 

Before founding ODC, David Harrington traces his modern dance lineage to Minneapolis Minnesota where he was a member of the modern dance company Choreogram under the artistic direction of Margret Dietz. Judith Catterall grew up in Minneapolis and was a ballerina with the Andehazy Ballet. Upon Margret Dietz' passing the company members formed a new dance company called SPIRA under the artistic direction of Gabe (Terry) Stoner, Marie Winkler and Judith's sister Paula Rahders. Judith became very curious about her sister's conversion from the ballet to modern. As things would progress, Judith too defected. In 1976 SPIRA, after a national search, was invited by the City of Portland to relocate the company under the sponsorship of a generous CETA grant. Two years later, David and Judith spun off to form Oregon Dance Consort.  

 

ODC Co-Artistic Directors:

Top: David Harrington

Middle: Judith Catterall

Bottom: Ray Terrill