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Most of what pianist Koji Attwood knows about dance comes from accompanying Mikhail Baryshnikov on solo and dance company tours.
He'll bring that rare level of expertise — what reviewers labeled his "lovely chemistry" with the world's greatest dancer — to his performances Saturday, Aug. 27, at "Rose Exposed," the fifth annual showcase of resident companies of the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center.
Tapped by the Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation, Attwood has performed in the past at "Rose Exposed." But this year he is serving as the music director for the annual arts showcase, by selecting music for each company. In addition, he will perform a solo work and accompany each company's performances.
In addition to Gina Bachauer, the Rose's resident companies are two theater troupes, PYGmalion Productions and Plan-B, and three dance companies, SB Dance, Repertory Dance Theatre and Ririe-Woodbury.
This year's theme is "Flight," and all proceeds will be donated to Tracy Aviary. "It's very open as to how we interpret the theme," says Jerry Rapier, Plan-B's artistic director.
"Rose Exposed" began as a way to showcase the building, but it has become more of an opportunity to create community partnerships. Two years ago, the event raised $5,000 for The Road Home shelter, and last year's proceeds of $5,000 were donated to Arts Access. "We want to expose the community to the impact that work created in the building can have outside the building," Rapier says.
After all, he adds, "the way people consume entertainment and the way people are influenced by the arts is changing quite dramatically. Outreach doesn't mean bringing people to your home [anymore]. Outreach means bringing your home to the people you want to reach. We're just as interested in being affected as in affecting people."
Interested audience members are invited to watch rehearsals on Saturday afternoon, as the companies are in the process of creating new work to be performed Saturday evening. "It's a quick thing, but it is a process that does happen in one day," Attwood says. "Things evolve in a very, very quick manner. A lot of times things are radically different in the event from what you see in the morning."
For Attwood, 43, who moved to Salt Lake City four years ago to teach at the Gifted Music School, the event offers a chance to perform and collaborate with other artists. A Kansas native, he made his concert debut at age 10 and went on to perform solo concerts at Steinway Hall and Lincoln Center and across the country. He earned a master's degree from the Juilliard School and a doctorate studying under Jerome Lowenthal. He is an adjunct instructor at Utah Valley University.
Attwood earned the opportunity to accompany Baryshnikov through a fluke, when a friend, who is a cellist, told him about an opening for a pianist on a European tour of the White Oak Dance Project. At first, Attwood wasn't aware the gig was for Baryshnikov's company.
They worked so well together that Attwood went on to accompany Baryshnikov on additional solo tours. The dancer has an electrifying stage charisma, as well as an amazing ability to express a "controlled spontaneity" in performance, Attwood says. "He did tons and tons of performances, and each one felt fresh," he says. "I'm not sure what the secret is to that."
Attwood also worked as a rehearsal pianist for American Ballet Theatre, and his accompaniment earned a nice nod in The New York Times in the company's 2010 premiere of "Lady of the Camellias."
Working with theater artists is another kind of challenge and provides analogies that he likes to use with his piano students. "Actors are really good role models, in terms of their speech, rhythm and cadences," he says. "Pianists may use notes, but we're both trying to convey emotions."
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'Rose Exposed: Flight'
Annual showcase of short works created mostly in one day by the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center's resident companies: Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation, Plan-B Theatre Company, PYGmalion Theatre Company, Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company, Repertory Dance Theatre and SB Dance.
When • Saturday, Aug. 27, 8 p.m.
Tickets • $15, at 801-355-2787l or roseexposed.org
Also • Rehearsal are open; noon-1 p.m.: Ririe-Woodbury Dance; 1-2 p.m.: Plan-B Theatre Company; 2-3 p.m.: Stephen Brown Dance; 3-4 p.m.: PYGmalion Theatre Company; 4-5 p.m.: Repertory Dance Theatre.