Bradon McDonald has had a diverse career in both the Performing Arts and Design fields. Upon graduating Juilliard in 1997, McDonald danced with the Limón Dance Company for three years, and with Mark Morris Dance Group for 10 years. He has served as choreographer for opera productions at Gotham Chamber Opera, Wolftrap Opera Company, Aspen Music Festival, Berkshire Opera and the Juilliard Opera Center, as well as teaching dance to musicians at LA Opera, the Bolshoi Opera, Houston Grand Opera, the Royal Academy of Music and Tanglewood Music Festival.
After retiring from the stage, McDonald began studying Fashion Design at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising where he earned two degrees and the Fashion Design Award upon graduation.
McDonald is currently working as a freelance designer in high-end (custom Special Occasion/Bridal garments) and mass markets, as well as designing costumes for the Performing Arts.
McDonald showed a collection at Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week as a finalist on the Emmy Award winning Project Runway Season 12.
McDonald has combined his performing arts roots with fashion design in many exciting projects. Costume design credits include LAOpera – Figaro 90210, Fire Island Opera Festival – Kurt Weill’s “ Der Protagonist, BAM Next Wave Festival – Jessica Lang Dance The Wanderer, Miami Art Basel – Shen Wei Dance Arts In Black, White and Gray, Cabaret/Burlesque sensation Lady Rizo, and his signature collection for dancewear giant CAPEZIO is available globally.
As a seasoned expert and enthusiast deeply entrenched in both the Performing Arts and Design fields, my extensive knowledge allows me to seamlessly navigate the intricate intersection of these two disciplines. My immersion in these realms is not just theoretical; it is marked by a tangible and prolific career that spans decades, punctuated by a plethora of noteworthy achievements.
Having graduated from the prestigious Juilliard in 1997, a pivotal moment that laid the foundation for my journey, I subsequently danced with the Limón Dance Company for three years. This experience provided an immersive exploration of the nuances of movement and expression within the realm of dance. Following this, I dedicated a decade of my life to the Mark Morris Dance Group, honing my skills and contributing significantly to the world of contemporary dance.
The depth of my expertise extends beyond performance, as evidenced by my role as a choreographer for opera productions at renowned institutions such as Gotham Chamber Opera, Wolftrap Opera Company, Aspen Music Festival, Berkshire Opera, and the Juilliard Opera Center. Teaching dance to musicians at esteemed institutions such as LA Opera, the Bolshoi Opera, Houston Grand Opera, the Royal Academy of Music, and the Tanglewood Music Festival further underscores my comprehensive understanding of the symbiotic relationship between dance and music.
Upon retiring from the stage, I embarked on a new chapter in my career, delving into the realm of Fashion Design at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. This educational pursuit culminated in the attainment of two degrees and the prestigious Fashion Design Award upon graduation, showcasing my commitment to excellence in design.
Currently, my professional endeavors encompass a broad spectrum, from freelance designing in the high-end domain, creating custom Special Occasion/Bridal garments, to contributing to mass markets. My versatility is further demonstrated through designing costumes for the Performing Arts, seamlessly merging my performing arts roots with my passion for fashion design.
A standout moment in my design career was the showcase of my collection at Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week as a finalist on the Emmy Award-winning Project Runway Season 12. This achievement not only serves as a testament to my design acumen but also highlights my ability to thrive in the competitive landscape of the fashion industry.
Notably, my influence extends to the global stage through my signature collection for dancewear giant CAPEZIO, a brand recognized for its prominence in the dance world. This collaboration underscores my commitment to bridging the gap between the worlds of performance and fashion.
In the realm of costume design, my credits include prominent productions such as LAOpera's "Figaro 90210," Fire Island Opera Festival's presentation of Kurt Weill’s "Der Protagonist," BAM Next Wave Festival's "Jessica Lang Dance The Wanderer," Miami Art Basel's "Shen Wei Dance Arts In Black, White and Gray," and contributions to the Cabaret/Burlesque sensation Lady Rizo.
In summary, my multifaceted career trajectory, from a distinguished dancer to an award-winning fashion designer and accomplished choreographer, is a testament to my unwavering passion, expertise, and seamless integration of the performing arts and design.
