Douglas Dunn studied with Yvonne Rainer & Group (1968-70), Merce Cunningham & Dance Company (1969-73), and danced with Grand Union (1970-76), which was a group that specialized in unpremeditated performance. His biggest influence, however, was Merce Cunningham. Dunn decided to whimsically take classes at various studios and "immediately responded to Merce Cunningham's big, extended, passionately plain moving and no talking." Cunningham eventually asked him into his company and the rest is history. The follwing years he danced Cunningham's rigorous, set steps, with the Grand Union. Cunninham's minimalist approach is an idea that Dunn continues to promote in his pieces.http://douglasdunndance.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20&Itemid=40
http://douglasdunndance.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16&Itemid=35
http://dancemagazine.com/issues/July-2009/Some-of-What-He-Said-to-Me-and-Didnt-Say-19681973
The link directly above links to something Dunn wrote in an article for Dance Magazine and it really describes his time with Cunningham and how he was influenced by him.
(The picture is a portrait of Merce Cunningham)
I think his choice to take various dance classes really puts an emphasis on the fact that he eventually choose Cunningham. It is an approach that I think many dancers should take, especially those that have been 'stuck' in one thought of dance most of their dance lives. Sometimes something that can really change your life is something you haven't tried!
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