Andris Ezeriņš
1947–2016
Choreographer, educator
Born 30 December 1947 in Madona. Studied at Madona Secondary School No 1 and Cesvaine Boarding School, where took his first dance steps in the dance group led by teacher L. Malina.
Graduated from Rīga Professional Vocational School No 22, specialising in ship repair and shipbuilding. Then studied at Madona Evening School, where combined studies with music-making and sports. At the same time, spent 12 years dancing with the Vidzeme folk-dance ensemble led by Dzidra Rubene. Having graduated from the Latvian State Institute of Physical Education (1973), worked at Lubāna Secondary School as a sports teacher and leader of the school’s dance group (from 1976). Under the guidance of this skilled educator, the group won the coveted title of People’s Dance Ensemble in 1986 and was renamed the Lubāna Folk-dance ensemble.
Over the same period, Ezeriņš also led the dance groups of the Degumnieki, Murmastiena and Meirāni parishes. From 1989 until the end of his life, was the artistic director of the Vidzeme folk-dance ensemble, the Vidzeme seniors’ dance group (from 2003) and middle-generation dance group of Liezere parish (since 2000).
Over his career, Ezeriņš composed more than 20 dances. His choreography Leivergroga danči was awarded a prize in the 1996 New-dance Competition, and Leiveris was acknowledged the most popular dance of the year in the 1997 dancers’ poll. As a first time Chief choreographer at the 11th Dance Celebration (1993), the choreographer staged his own Saules deja (Sun Dance), and for the 12th Dance Celebration (1998) – his compositions Leiveri and Lai tā būda rūc (Let’s Raise the Roof). These dances are still beloved by dancers and often performed, they possess humour, diligence and the pride of the people of Vidzeme. The dances are permeated with joie de vivre, simplicity, highlighting the feminine beauty of girls and the masculinity of boys in their relationships. In this way, Ezeriņš was able to make his dance groups different and stand out.
The contribution of Ezeriņš to the development of Madona District dance groups is invaluable – he has acted as chief choreographer for schoolchildren’s and adult dance groups, as well as being the artistic director of many Madona District song and dance festivals.
A Chief choreographer at the 11th and 12th Dance Celebrations, Honorary Chief choreographer at the 15th Dance Celebration, Chief choreographer for Madona schoolchildren’s (from 1979) and adult (from 1990) dance groups.
