Max Levy’s work focuses on the intersection of athletic concentration, meditative processes and laden atmospheres, utilizing the communication of performance to bridge the commitment of performers with the participation of observers; balancing a spectrum of active v. passive, conscious v. subconscious to redefine one's presence and enjoyment of dance.
His processes produce a form of collaboration in which an artistic goal is formed not through a singular vision, but through the overlap of artistic contributors. He engages actively to reshape the hierarchy of dance creation and choreography encouraging interdisciplinary input at an early stage. All participants and performers are pushed to reclaim agency for their actions, as well as responsibility for their decisions and intentions. His works (and the processes therein) cements every member of a process to be essential.
Max’s choreographic work has been performed in cooperation with Künstlerhaus Mousonturm, saasfee*pavillon, Roxy Ulm, Eisfabrik e.V. Hannover, Ballett Staatstheater Nürnberg, PAF Berlin, Freier Tanz im Delta Festival, and Gdansk Dance Festival, as well as being top finalist at the 32nd International Choreography Competition Hannover, Rotterdam International Duet Choreography Competition 2019, and being awarded Best Dancer by SOLOCOREGRAFICO 2017. He is a resident artist with STL Tallinn as a member of the MODINA Network, as well as previously with Künstlerhaus Mousonturm, Staatstheater Darmstadt, Tanzplattform Rhein-Main, and ChoreoLab – Made in Ulm, as well the Choreographic Coding Lab Köln 2023. His films have also been screened at TANZAHOi Hamburg, Rollout Macao Film Festival, and Gießener Auftritte.
Born in Tokyo, Max began his career at American Repertory Ballet under the direction of Graham Lustig, and Charlotte Ballet, under the direction of Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux. Thereafter he was engaged as a soloist for many seasons with Ballett Staastheater Nürnberg, under the direction of Goyo Montero.
Max has performed works from numerous prominent choreographers including Crystal Pite, William Forsythe, Johan Inger, Mats Ek, Ohad Naharin, Jeroen Verbruggen, Christian Spuck, Cayetano Soto, Goyo Montero, Mauro Bigonzetti, Nacho Duato, Jiří Bubeníček, Gentian Doda, James Sutherland, Emery LeCrone, and Dwight Rhoden. He was nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Male Dancer by Dance Europe in 2015, and Critic's Choice Dancers of the Year for tanz magazine in 2023.
Since 2017, Max has worked as an independent artist, collaborating in projects for the stage and non-traditional spaces, installations and improvisational works. He has participated with Fabrice Mazliah/Work of Act, Yasmeen Godder, Roderick George, Joseph Sturdy, Taulant Shehu, Malcolm Sutherland, and Jorge Garcia Perez, among others
Max began his ballet training at the Haruyama Ballet Academy and Yamaji Ballet School at the age of 7. After continued training at Boulder Ballet School, he joined the prestigious San Francisco Ballet Trainee Program under the direction of Jean-Yves Esquerre. During his education, he won several prizes at the Denver Ballet Guild's Young Dancer's Competition as well as regional awards at the Youth America Grand Prix, performing the leading role in John Neumeier's Yondering during his graduating year.
He has also furthered his education during his career through numerous workshops with Amy Raymond, Natalie Thomas, Paula Miguélez Lucena, Peggy Olislaegers, and Angelique Willkie.
In addition, Max is a regular teacher and rehearsal assistant. He provides professional and amateur training for Tanzplattform Rhein-Main, as well as being a guest teacher with the Hochschule für darstellende Künste und Musik, Frankfurt.
Today, Max continues to work as an international artist and choreographer based in Frankfurt am Main, Germany where aside from choreography, he also produces music and visual art related to his work.
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