Alumni

Featured Alumnus:

Daniel Ezralow (’76) began dancing at UC Berkeley under Marni and David Wood and as a professional dancer with 5X2 Plus, Lar Lubovitch, Paul Taylor and Pilobolus. He was one of the original dancer/choreographers to create MOMIX, is a founding member of ISO Dance and in addition to his works with Hubbard Street Dance Company, he has created original works for Paris Opera Ballet, Batsheva Dance Company of Israel, Rudolf Nureyev, London Contemporary Dance Theatre, Helsinki City Dance Theatre, Scapino Ballet Rotterdam, Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company and La Fete de l’Humanite in Paris. With ISO Dance, Ezralow has toured worldwide directing and choreographing shows for international galas and festivals. His multimedia one-man show, Mandala, has also toured worldwide to sold out audiences.

Mr. Ezralow’s most recent choreography can be seen in his newly acclaimed dance theater exploration of media and television effects, Why. Meanwhile, his choreography for Cirque du Soleil in the recent hit show LOVE continues its successful run in Las Vegas. Daniel’s fifth new work with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago premiered with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in January 2008. Mr. Ezralow also directed the Pre Mass event for Pope Benedict XVI’s Spring 2008 visit to Yankee Stadium. His most recent film work can be seen in Sony pictures’ film Across the Universe, directed by Julie Taymor.

Working extensively in film and television, Mr. Ezralow has collaborated with directors such as Ron Howard, Lena Wertmuller, Marco Belocchio, Nakano Hiroyuki, Dominique Sena and Julian Temple. He created the television dance special WINDOWS shown extensively on Bravo and received an Emmy Award for his work on the PBS Television special EPISODES.

In theater he choreographed Julie Taymor’s Broadway production of The Green Bird and her Flying Dutchman for the Los Angeles and Houston Operas. He also choreographed and associate directed a new contemporary music theatre production of TOSCA Amore Disperato, which premiered in Rome and toured worldwide. He choreographed Maggio Musicale’s production of Aida and he conceived, directed and choreographed The Adventures of Emilio Salgari at the Philharmonic di Verona.

In the music world he has choreographed and staged shows for artists including Josh Groban, Faith Hill, Andrea Bocelli, U2, David Bowie, Sting, Pat Metheny, Lucio Dalla, and Ricky Martin.

Mr. Ezralow’s choreography can also be seen in advertising campaigns for Gap Clothing, Dannon Yogurt, Issey Miyake, Ermengilda Zegna, Hugo Boss, Xerox-Fuji, Ilford Film, Eveready Battery, Sapporo Beer and Raymond-Weil Watches.

Mr. Ezralow has received an American Choreography Innovator’s Award, an American Choreography Award for Outstanding Choreography in a Television Special, an Emmy nomination for choreographing the 1998 Academy Awards, a Positano Award for Excellence in Choreography, a Nijinsky Award, and other award nominations for his choreography in special events, live performance, opera, rock videos, commercials, film and television programs. He has also been a recipient of an NEA Fellowship Grant.

His image and movement are featured throughout the bestselling dance photography books The Fugitive Gesture and Breaking Bounds, and he is the subject of a feature documentary film entitled The Journey of a Dancer, Daniel Ezralow, which explores in depth Mr. Ezralow’s creative process, life, and work.

(Image source: © Todd Rosenberg Photography 2004)

If you would like to submit a nomination for the “Featured Alumni” section on our website, please email: tdps@berkeley.edu