Madelaine “Maddie” Burnett grew up dancing in Tsawwassen (Delta, British Columbia), a name that comes from the Halkomelem word meaning “land facing the sea”. Her passion for dance led her to a different land, surrounded by different waters. When Maddie auditioned and got into the Ailey School, the agreement with her family was that the program was going to be a gap year before she returned home and went to college. New York City, however, had other plans for her. During the year at the Ailey School, Maddie auditioned and received a scholarship for the following year, and again, the year after that. After three years of intense training, she found herself determined and committed to pursuing a career as a professional dancer. The competitive nature of the industry and the long hours of work did not daunt her, and indeed her success shows how talented, resilient, and determined she is.
Resilience is a skill that appears almost as a recurring theme throughout her career. Straight out of the Ailey School she began dancing with Graham 2, of the Martha Graham company. Just a few years in, though, the pandemic shut down the world and sent her back to Delta.
Even though many dancers and dance companies in her community stopped during the lockdown, she continued to hone her skills on her own. “It was really hard to be alone, training on Zoom and keeping my level to the highest standards, without knowing what would happen and without any performance in sight. But I knew that as soon as something changed I wanted to be ready to jump back on stage,” Maddie shares. And adds, “a stage in New York.” The specification comes from the unique combination of the myriad of art forms, cultural backgrounds, and levels of excellence present in this city. “I love New York because you have the ability to connect to interdisciplinary artistic expressions, maintaining the authenticity and essence that drives the art forms and artists,” she says.
Maddie “talks the talk” and “walks the walk” of resilience and combining art forms. In 2021 she was able to return to NYC, where she immediately auditioned for House of Spirits, an immersive theater production by Meyer2Meyer Entertainment. She was cast as a soloist dancer as well as a violinist: “It was incredible to be able to use all my passions in one show, dancing, playing the violin, and interacting with the audience,” she says with a smile.
Her passion for using her art to further connection and unity has taken form in collaborations with other socially involved artists in New York, such as Nimo Patel. “That was my first music video dancing in the streets of New York. ‘We the People’ is such a beautiful song with an important message, and there was a special feeling as we recorded the scenes,” Maddie recalls. “Bringing communities to the arts and sharing these messages is vital,” she adds.
One of the most meaningful experiences for Maddie was being a soloist for Alison Cook Beatty Dance. She discovered the company virtually, during the pandemic, while in Canada. She immediately identified both with their resilience – as they continued to practice in the baseball fields of Central Park during the lockdown – and with their commitment to social causes – in the themes chosen for the choreographies by founder Alison Cook-Beatty. Little did she know that the director had noticed the videos Maddie had posted of her solos during that same period – and had appreciated that same resilience. In August of 2021 the stars aligned, and Maddie became a company member. One of the first new company choreographies she was part of was ‘Echoes Of War’, a piece about the war in Ukraine, the devasting effect it has on children, but also the light, innocence and resilience they have. It was performed in New York as well as taken on tour last year, including at the Salem Arts Festival. “Maddie Burnett is an extraordinary and unique performer. She is captivating to watch. When I was choreographing ‘Echoes Of War’, I had Maddie in mind, particularly for the principle role of The Girl in Blue. I knew Maddie could carry the weight of the role but also share an innocence or lightness. In war, there is so much darkness, but as people and communities we need any glimmer of light we can find. Maddie was that light in ‘Echoes Of War’, and I must say, she is that in everything she does,” says Alison.
Maddie is at ease in all principal roles, across all dance styles. “Being a soloist is a freeing opportunity. I like to do my own research, create a backstory about the character or role I am playing, and make my stylistic choices based on that, so that my movements have a specific purpose. I dive deep into personal thoughts and memories – I did a lot of acting and acting training as a child, and I like to add my theatrical approach to my dance,” she explains, demonstrating yet again her appreciation of interdisciplinary expressions of art.
The quality of her movement and the depth of her interpretations are mesmerizing. Her maturity and professionalism have gained her accolades from her peers and colleagues. Tomislav Nevistic, a dancer and choreographer in New York featured on NBC, Broadway World and more, has crossed paths with Burnett many times, dancing in the same companies as well as directing her in a choreography that got him selected amongst hundred of candidates for ‘Mare Nostrum Elements – Emerging Choreographers Showcase’. “Her performances are always exhilarating and mature leaving the audience with emotions and excitement. She conveys messages and purpose with clarity, in a way that only a well-rounded and seasoned artist could do, both in modern dance pieces and also in immersive theater. It’s rare to see somebody with skills in dance and music and theater at such a professional level,” he says about his colleague.
Maddie Burnett. © Nir Arieli 2018
Burnett is excited about the upcoming summer months: she is engaged to go on tour with Alison Cook Beatty Dance. She is particularly enthusiastic about the planned residencies where the company will not only be performing, but also teaching and doing outreach with communities. “I love modern dance because it is so accessible. It is rooted in human experience, and I think that is why it connects so strongly with the audience – because we are all human. It is more than just creating perfect lines: it is about connecting people to their emotions. I believe it is such a powerful tool to celebrate diversity, bringing communities together and bringing themes of social justice to the stage. I feel both privileged and honored to be able to do this work with this dance company.”
This dancer’s dedication to her artform is just as strong as her dedication to bettering the world: New York City seems like the perfect place for her to continue achieving her goals.
