When did you know you were an artist? Were you always creative as a child? When did you start dancing?
I would say I knew I was an artist pretty recently actually. When I began to find my voice through my dancing, and discovering the meaning behind what I do. I’m not sure how creative I was as a child, but I know that I absolutely loved to dance and was very enthusiastic in my classes. I started dancing when I was three years old.
What is your background in dance? How long have you studied? What styles of dance have you studied?
I grew up dancing in a small studio in my hometown. I did ballet, jazz, lyrical, and tap. I started competition dancing in elementary school and continued all through middle and high school. I performed styles such as ballet, modern, jazz, contemporary, and hip hop. Now I am a junior in the Ailey/Fordham BFA program, studying techniques such as ballet, pointe, Horton, Graham, West African, contemporary, and improvisation/composition.
How has a yoga practice influenced you and your art?
Yoga has influenced my art more than I ever thought it would. There are striking similarities between the physical movements in yoga and the movements I do in my technique classes. But more importantly, my yoga practice has allowed me to approach my work differently. I would definitely say that the movement quality that I’ve developed as an artist is in large part due to my yoga practice. I move in a very meditative or spiritual way, and I focus a lot on the importance of simplicity and details.
What choreographers have you worked with that have challenged you? How and why?
I worked with Jennifer Archibald this summer and also last semester when she came to set a work at Ailey. She is one of the hardest choreographers I’ve ever worked with because she demands so much from you, because she knows you have it. She pushed me in so many ways out of my comfort zone, to move in ways that I hadn’t before. I also worked with Bradley Shelver, in which I had a similar experience. He has very high expectations for his dancers and expects nothing less than the best. This past semester our repertory choreographer was Virginie Mecene. I had a solo part, which I found extremely challenging because I had to be confident and calm at the same time. Her movement was very rooted in the Martha Graham technique. Currently, I am working on a solo with Nicholas Villenueve, who is challenging me like no other. Being that it is a solo, it’s extremely difficult for me to maintain consistency and to be energetic and ready to work every rehearsal, but I am doing my best. His choreography is on the more difficult side, and he asks a lot of me as a dancer and human. All of these experiences have been rewarding in their own way.
What is the impact you would like to make with your work?
Well I’m very interested in social justice work, and giving back to the community/others. So I hope to use dance as a means to connect people and bridge gaps of privilege. I guess I just want to show people that anyone can dance, that your body doesn’t have to look any type of way. Dance is accessible to any and all human beings.
Describe the feeling of performing in front of an audience in three words:
Outer-body, alive, nerve-wracking
List a few of your proud moments as a dancer:
As a dancer, I think I have felt most accomplished when I have accomplished something. Last semester I auditioned for Alvin Ailey’s ‘Memoria’, which is one of his well-known works that gets performed with the first company at City Center. The opportunity is given to students in the professional division, and I really wanted to get it this year. It was a very proud moment and self-gratifying experience. I choreographed at Ailey for the first time last year, which was AMAZING because it was the first time I really tried choreographing a full piece. So when it made it into the show I was ecstatic. It made me feel good that my work was getting recognized. I recently auditioned for a very prestigious summer program called Springboard Danse Montreal, and made it all the way until the end. Even though I’m currently waitlisted, I felt very proud of myself for making it that far, because they see a lot of dancers each year, and only really select a handful. I also feel proud when I can feel/see my body changing, because it shows that my hard work is paying off.
What is next for you? What are you working on?
Right now I’m preparing for a show that I have coming out this Thursday. I will be performing a 20-minute piece that one of the seniors choreographed as a part of his independent study in choreography. Once that is done, I have the Ailey/Fordham BFA benefit concert in April, in which I will be performing a solo because I was awarded a very important scholarship this year. I will also be performing a theatrical duet. Once these performances conclude, I will just be finishing out this semester and getting ready for my last year! Eek!
What and who inspires you?
Ugh everything, the little beauties in life. Details. My partner. Music. I love music, it inspires me to move every single day in some way. People who are unapologetically themselves. My mentor(s). My friends.
