BLOG | 2020 | July
FEATHERS
If you’ve ever taken a dance class with Michael Susten, you’ve probably noticed the green feather tattoo on his right arm as he karate chopped or dramatically reached his way through a Celine Dion song in his Lulu Lemon tank top. You may have also seen the photo on his iPhone lock screen when he changes the music in class or films yet another rehearsal, the image of a dancer contracted over his crossed pointed feet like a majestic bird preparing for flight, tossing colorful feathers in the air; bright greens, blues, and yellows. Or maybe you’ve scrolled through Michael’s social media to find videos of his choreography with dancers surrounded by feathers, leaping and reaching through them like water. Have you ever heard Michael play “Heaven is a Place on Earth” in class? All of these things have one person in common: Ian Berry.
Ian was a fellow student at Michael’s alma mater, the University of the Arts in his hometown of Philadelphia. They met in the fall of Michael’s senior year at an audition when Ian had to run back to his dorm because he had forgotten his flannel shirt, a dance class staple at the time. Ian eventually joined Xhale, a contemporary dance company that Michael and Justine established to create performance and choreography opportunities for university students. The young freshman quickly became a star of the company, with his radiant personality and stunning talent.
Xhale continued to thrive after Michael’s graduation and a year later, as he was contemplating his next big career move, the company was rehearsing for another performance under his direction. The show was called “The Music of Katie Thompson” and showcased choreography inspired by the recording artist in collaboration with live musicians, ending with a cover of the 1987 Belinda Carlisle hit “Heaven is a Place on Earth.” The finale, which Ian would never get to perform, was an energetic and soaring company-wide interpretation of the uplifting ballad, dozens of dancers flying over every powerful pulse of the piano until a rainbow of feathers washed over them in a holy downpour.
But tragedy overwhelmed the community in October of 2010 when sophomore dance major Ian Berry died at the age of 19 in Philadelphia. There was an outpouring of love and sadness as students, teachers, friends, and family grieved the loss of the talented young man. Ian had a magnetic presence that attracted everyone, whether he was on stage or off and he was so clearly destined for an extraordinary life and career. Even now, almost ten years later, Ian’s unique personality and ability to inspire love continues to ripple through the lives that he touched.
The dancers of Xhale performed “The Music of Katie Thompson” a month after his death as a tribute to Ian. It was a difficult decision to make, but they honored him by leaving the choreography unchanged. Any solo he had or moment with a partner his space remained empty, no matter how long it lasted or how bare the stage was, and his absence was just as powerful as the bodies leaping and pirouetting under the lights. The finale, which was only half choreographed at the time of the tragedy, ended with the release of feathers and dancers piling into a nest of grief and love, holding each other and leaning on each other, letting it all go as the lights faded to black and the audience erupted into an emotional ovation that seemed to last forever.
Ever since that show, Michael believes feathers are a symbol of his departed friend, a reminder of his presence. He sees one on the street or inside a studio or at a competition and knows that Ian is watching over him, wishing him luck, sending his approval, just being a friend. He thinks of their months as roommates, the jokes they made, the hours of rehearsals together, the margaritas in New York, the flannel shirt. Each year Michael and his friends honor Ian in a small, private way, sometimes with a toast on the anniversary, sometimes with a random group text flooded with memories. But there is one way that follows Michael around, from the sky or on the ground, even when he least expects it, and has even impacted his students that know the story, like Vanessa's touching tribute in college citing Ian as inspiration. Ian's legacy lives on with every feather.
Rest in peace, Ian Berry 1991-2010
