Amy Larimer grew up in Rochester, NY where she had her first job delivering eggs, out of a rusted red wagon. She is now an Associate Professor and the Director of the Dance Program at Lehman College. Her career trajectory took an unexpected turn when she was cast in “Oklahoma” in junior high school and she chose to put her career in pedestrian egg transport behind her. She went to Connecticut College where she was introduced to improvisation through dance classes, jazz band and countless hours dancing at parties.
In pursuit of more performing opportunities, she moved to NYC and toured internationally with Nicholas Leichter Dance for 10 years. Later she performed with choreographers Clare Byrne, Daniel Clifton, Colin Connor and Debra Wanner; and created a series of solo works which were presented in venues like Joe’s Pub, Dixon Place, HERE and the 92nd Street Y. Her work was described as “never predictable and always interesting, Larimer finds comedy from nowhere like no one else” (Quinn Batson, Offoffoff).
Amy is a longtime student of Jean McClelland and went to the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee for her MFA in Dance. After mentioning to friend and collaborator Clare Byrne that she was constantly changing her choreography, Clare suggested “Maybe you are an improviser?” And there it was. The idea emerged to combine dance and improv. Amy found a curious, adventurous partner in Jamie Graham, and since then they have been playing, laughing, obsessing, dancing, eating, falling down, getting back up and touring the world as the Raving Jaynes! Amy believes that making art is about being in relationship. She thanks her family, teachers, students, friends and collaborators for helping her navigate bumpy roads with delicate cargo. She is grateful to the discipline of improvisation for reminding her that the juicy stuff isn’t found on the smooth pathway. It is in the moments when you are awkwardly walking down a steep, pebbly incline with cars rushing past and a wagon of eggs skidding behind you that game is played.
