My Dance Story - The Dance Post https://youcandance.in/thedancepost Thu, 03 Nov 2022 10:21:15 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.3 Rena Butler https://youcandance.in/thedancepost/rena-butler/ https://youcandance.in/thedancepost/rena-butler/#respond Thu, 03 Nov 2022 09:12:26 +0000 https://youcandance.in/thedancepost/?p=4093

Photo: Christopher Jones

Rena Butler
A contemporary & ballet dancer, choreographer originally from New York.

What is your dancing style?

I have many different styles of dance that I’m interested in. I’ve trained primarily in ballet and contemporary, and in ballroom (salsa), West African dance, traditional Balinese dance, hip hop and street styles, and more. All these styles make me a stronger dance and choreographic artist.

What made you choose this style?

I choose primarily the styles of contemporary and ballet because I felt the most liberated in these forms. There is so much that can be interpreted, from a very literal or abstract point of view.

When and how did you start dancing?

I started getting serious with dance around the age of 12. I knew then that I wanted to pursue a career out of this, travel the world with it, connect with people, and educated myself on various styles to find something new in movement.

Any memorable dancing experiences?

This is a hard question to answer, there are so many! One of my favourite dancing experiences was dancing in Ohad Naharin’s Decadance with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. I can’t remember when I stopped thinking and started feeling the moment. As tiring as his work is, as it requires all 5 of your senses to be one hundred percent, It felt as though I was gliding through space with ease. It feels so nice when you can reach that in any work – the moment you stop forcing it and just immerse your entire being into the world the choreographer has created.

One person you would like to dance for or with?

I would love to work for so many people, as there are a lot of interesting voices to dance with and for. One person is Damien Jalet – he has a very interesting eye and I’d be intrigued to dive into a process with him to see where our crafts could potentially meet.

What does dance mean to you?

Dance is the extreme extension of who I am – the fullest expression. It is the hidden door into my soul, and with each process I go through as a dance artist, I can unlock secrets passages in myself that often can come as a surprise. I get to know myself and other people through this art form – it’s beautiful.

Do you prefer to perform or teach and why?

I like both equally. I love both because you can have live dialogue in real time with an audience or a group of artists while you’re on stage or at the front of a studio. Sometimes you’re unsure of how the exchange will be or where it takes you.

If you weren’t a dancer, what would you have been?

I would be an assassin or a secret spy. I love to move stealthily, quietly, and with force. It would be fun to travel the world and go out on secret mission. Plus, the disguises would be the most fun part, in constantly shifting personas.

Describe yourself or your story in under 25 words?

I’m curious, imaginative, playful, silly, creative, warm, bold. Understanding myself and the world around me is important. I believe fluidity equals expansion. I love cooking, traveling, surfing, adventure.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

Still playful, still curious, and laughing more. I see myself constantly operating from a place of joy, doing things on my own terms. I am with my partner – living in Bali. I am still choreographing for various companies and institutions – still learning – still vibing, and enjoying what life presents and am positively immersed in it.

The post Rena Butler first appeared on The Dance Post.

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Julia Hunkert https://youcandance.in/thedancepost/julie-hunkert/ https://youcandance.in/thedancepost/julie-hunkert/#respond Tue, 28 Dec 2021 09:48:11 +0000 https://youcandance.in/thedancepost/?p=4045

Julia Hunkert
A dancer and choreographer based in New York

What is your dancing style?

I started my dance training in Ballet, Contemporary and Modern, but when I continued training at my local Dance School in Dresden (Germany) the focus was clearly on Contemporary and Jazz. At 17, I started a professional musical theatre program in Hamburg where we were mostly trained in Ballet and Theatre Jazz. Missing Contemporary dance and wanting to explore more styles of dance, to tap into my full potential, I moved to NYC. I am currently specializing in Contemporary/Ballet and am curious to develop my very own technique which will be a combination of all the styles I love.

What made you choose this style?

As a child I always admired and loved passionate, and expressive dance pieces. It fascinated me how dancers managed to build a connection with the audience and transported emotions through a piece. Contemporary and Jazz styles are very good tools to express (oneself) and tell a story. For me it was always more about the way people danced instead of the style. I could fall in love with every style if a performance made me feel something.

When and how did you start dancing?

My parents realized very early how much I loved moving to music and when I was four years old, I had built enough courage to attend my very first Ballet class. My local dance school in Dresden offered plenty of opportunities to study pieces and to perform them on stage. In fact, we had lots of shows, which is why we had to learn very early how to express and transport emotions through movement. The director of my former dance school was a huge inspiration to me, it seemed like she could choreograph any story she wanted to tell. At some point though, I realized that I’d need a more technical training to turn my passion to my profession.

Any memorable dancing experiences?

At my Musical Theatre School, I booked a touring show with a solo piece and had the honour of performing one of my very first original choreographies as a professional dancer at theatres across the north of Germany. It was a contemporary piece, and the first show was an incredible and vulnerable experience. Dancing alone with live musicians is pure magic!

One person you would like to dance for or with?

One of the choreographers that inspired me to move to NYC is Nicholas Palmquist. Working with him would be an absolute dream, and I find his unique style of combining Jazz and Contemporary elements very innovative. But there are so many amazing dancers and choreographers around the world that I’d like to work with or for. However, I’d also really enjoy working for James Kinney, one of the best Theatre Jazz choreographers I know.

What does dance mean to you?

Dance is my safe place. It’s where I can be free and vulnerable without getting hurt. It’s also my way of expressing what can’t be expressed through words. I was always searching for other artistic ways to express myself, which is what drew me to the performing arts, acting and singing. But dancing is my natural element. I feel very grateful to make it my profession and to share it with the world.

Do you prefer to perform or teach and why?

At this moment in time, I prefer performing because there still is so much more to learn and to explore. Also, especially during Covid I realized how much I missed feeling this very special energy of performing in front of an audience. However, I love teaching and it makes me understand more about dance itself, our bodies, and the bodies of individual dancers at different ages.

If you weren’t a dancer, what would you have been?

A psychologist and author.

Describe yourself or your story in under 25 words?

I am a curious artist, discovering the miracles and beauty of life, creating to inspire and make the world a little bit better.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

I see myself still choosing this beautiful job every single day. One big wish of mine is to develop my own style/technique and to choreograph pieces as well as dancing for a company. There are a lot of possibilities that my curiosity could lead me to in ten years, but I’d love to do a lot of collaborations with different artists, and I want to help make the dance industry a better place.

The post Julia Hunkert first appeared on The Dance Post.

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Babatunji Johnson https://youcandance.in/thedancepost/babatunji-johnson/ https://youcandance.in/thedancepost/babatunji-johnson/#respond Mon, 15 Nov 2021 07:34:49 +0000 https://youcandance.in/thedancepost/?p=4028

Photo: Josh A Katz

Babatunji Johnson
A freelance dancer and choreographer from San Francisco

What is your dancing style?

I don’t really fit into the box of a specific style. My movement is influenced by various styles of hip hop like Popping, Waving, KRUMP, and breaking, as well as Ballet, Contemporary, and Modern.

What made you choose this style?

I dance the way that I dance because my mind and body have many different stories to tell. Some lovely, delicate, and enthralling, and others rough, loud, and shocking. This is why I couldn’t ever settle with just doing one style. I find that I am able to reach new heights, unlock my greater potential, and tell stories in a more flushed out and intricate way by mixing different movement ideas.

When and how did you start dancing?

I started dancing around 2007. I had initially been inspired to dance after watching You Got Served and Save The Last Dance. I was also pulled to dance after attending a few school dances where I was always in admiration of the kids who had enough courage to get their backs up off the wall and hit the dance floor, because I certainly was not one of them. The true shift happened when I watched the KRUMP documentary Rize, the freedom of movement and rawness of self-expression that this style of dance illustrated was the gate and key that unlocked my passion for both movement and dance.

Any memorable dancing experiences?

My earliest and most memorable dance experience was my first ever performance. My friends from school and I had come together to build a dance crew. We had been dancing only for a few months when it was announced that our school would be hosting a talent show. Though we were very nervous, we decided that it would be a good opportunity to show off what we had been doing. I personally wanted to do the show so that I could prove to everyone in school that I was a real bad ass, cool cat who was out of this world, so that they would all be my friends and put me on a pedestal. What made this performance so memorable was that at the end of our set, when the entire audience broke their silence and rose to a roar, my need for their acceptance and admiration faded away! All that I was left with was the understanding that I was able to be a part of and help facilitate a deep feeling of joy that was being felt unanimously throughout the room. Though it took me a few years before I could trust the feeling, I like to think that this was the moment I found purpose in spreading love and joy through dance.

One person you would like to dance for or with?

There are so many people and companies, it’s hard to choose just one.

What does dance mean to you?

I believe that dance can disarm the defences of the psyche and can speak directly to the viewers heart. By doing this, it can help open them up in ways that only art can. Dance to me means a way to communicate, to tell stories, a way to share and express my understanding of things, and a way to make meaningful and long lasting change.

Do you prefer to perform or teach and why?

I truly love to do both. I feel that both stir the mind and awaken the heart in different ways and they feel equally valuable to me.

If you weren’t a dancer, what would you have been?

Either a video game designer or an interior decorator.

Describe yourself or your story in under 25 words?

I am an human, who has been blessed and encouraged by so many beings who I love deeply. I share joy, love and movement!

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

I see myself having my own company and sharing my art all over the world through teaching and performing.

The post Babatunji Johnson first appeared on The Dance Post.

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Megan Castro https://youcandance.in/thedancepost/megan-castro/ https://youcandance.in/thedancepost/megan-castro/#respond Sat, 25 Sep 2021 07:41:56 +0000 https://youcandance.in/thedancepost/?p=4015

Megan Castro
An improvisation movement dancer from South Carolina.

What is your dancing style?

Improvisation based movement. Much of my movement has been inspired by Gaga technique, release technique, and counter technique.

What made you choose this style?

I think improvisation movement has always fascinated me. I never felt like I fit into one specific style, so I think I was naturally drawn to exploring what my own body and mind had to offer.

When and how did you start dancing?

I started dancing at a young age and was instantly in love with it. I think I kept dancing more as a hobby, until I realised that I could make dance my living. I continued to study dance in university and I opened up to a whole new world of dance, which I never ever knew existed.

Any memorable dancing experiences?

I’m fortunate to have had many amazing dance experiences. I think it’s the combination of all the experiences that makes me the dancer and person that I am today.

One person you would like to dance for or with?

I am very fascinated with the work of many renowned choreographers such as Crystal Pite and Ohad Naharin. However, at this moment in my life I’m very fascinated with movement exploration and improvisation. I recently started working with Tanz Compagnie Gervasi, where I have been given the space to develop and share my own movement in the creation process. This has been an absolute dream for me!

What does dance mean to you?

Dance has shaped me as a human. It has broken and rebuilt me, so many times throughout my life. I used to think of dance as something separate from me, almost like clothing. But I realized in the past year, how dance is movement, movement is in the body, everyone moves their body. It’s what’s in the mind that results in how movement flows. Dance will always be a part of my life, no matter how little, large, powerful, or light the movement goes through the body.

Do you prefer to perform or teach and why?

I prefer to perform because I find the act of physically sharing movement fuels and inspires me the most. However, teaching is incredibly informative and helps me understand my own movement better.

If you weren’t a dancer, what would you have been?

If I wasn’t a dancer, I would have been an elementary school teacher. Dance isn’t really seen as a job where I’m from, so I really didn’t think of it as an option. Thanks to the support of my family, I had the courage to continue to study dance as a career path in university. However, I was not accepted into many of the university dance programs I applied for. I had been rejected by all, until the very last audition at the university of North Carolina School of Arts, and luckily, I was accepted there.

Describe yourself or your story in under 25 words?

Ordinary with incredible passion. Through mind and body connection, I found freedom and my unique way of moving. This fuels me every day!

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

I see myself continuing to dance, perform, and research my own movement. I think that I would eventually like to build a company to create my own work and share my ideas through others bodies.

The post Megan Castro first appeared on The Dance Post.

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Oksana Bondareva https://youcandance.in/thedancepost/oksana-bondareva/ https://youcandance.in/thedancepost/oksana-bondareva/#respond Thu, 26 Aug 2021 11:56:23 +0000 https://youcandance.in/thedancepost/?p=4009

Oksana Bondareva
A classical Ballet dancer from Russia.

What are your dancing styles?

Classical Ballet.

What made you choose this style?

I fell in love with ballet as soon as I stepped on the stage! The feeling cannot be described in words.

When and how did you start dancing?

I started dancing when I was three years old.

Any memorable dancing experiences?

Dancing in a show with Olympic champions.

One person you would like to dance for or with?

I would like to dance with the principal dancer of the Royal Ballet, Cesar Corrales.

What does dance mean to you?

Dance is my life!

Do you prefer to perform or teach and why?

I just love to dance.

If you weren’t a dancer, what would you have been?

A drama actress, fashion model or a businesswoman.

Describe yourself or your story in under 25 words?

I love to travel. I am cheerful and energetic. I have a passion for cats and all things beautiful. I enjoy driving and food. I have been to 47 countries. My dream is to visit New Zealand one day.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

I will hopefully live in a warm country, next to the sea or the ocean, with my beloved people nearby. I hope to be working with artists as a choreographer.

The post Oksana Bondareva first appeared on The Dance Post.

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Nicolas Scheuer https://youcandance.in/thedancepost/nicolas-scheuer/ https://youcandance.in/thedancepost/nicolas-scheuer/#respond Fri, 30 Jul 2021 06:44:10 +0000 https://youcandance.in/thedancepost/?p=4004

Nicolas Scheuer
A Ballet dancer originally from Brazil.

What are your dancing styles?

Ballet

What made you choose this style?

Ballet has always been my favourite style of dance, where I can just be myself and enjoy.

When and how did you start dancing?

I started dancing when I was 9 years old, in Brazil at the Bolshoi School.

Any memorable dancing experiences?

Performing with my best friend at the Varna international competition which had beautiful outdoor stage.

One person you would like to dance for or with?

I’d love to be in the same stage as Marianela Nunez at the Royal Opera house.

What does dance mean to you?

Everything. It gave me the opportunity to help my family back in Brazil.

Do you prefer to perform or teach and why?

I love both! There’s nothing better than performing in the world, you just forget about everything and enjoy. I love teaching because it allows me to give my students the experience of someone who really gets them and accepts them for who they are.

If you weren’t a dancer, what would you have been?

A dancer.

Describe yourself or your story in under 25 words?

Strong, I will never give up on my dreams.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

My studio to be the best in Nashville and having my own dance company.

The post Nicolas Scheuer first appeared on The Dance Post.

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Amanda LaCount https://youcandance.in/thedancepost/3954/ https://youcandance.in/thedancepost/3954/#respond Tue, 20 Jul 2021 09:46:05 +0000 https://youcandance.in/thedancepost/?p=3954

Amanda LaCount
Multi-Faceted Dancer

What are your dancing styles?

Although I have been formally trained in most styles of dance, my primary dance styles are hip hop/jazz funk, contemporary and tap.

What made you choose this style?

I like hip hop/jazz funk the best because I have more freedom to express myself and the technique is not as rigid as other dance styles.

When and how did you start dancing?

I started dancing when I was 2 years old because I had 2 older sisters that danced and I wanted to be in the studio dancing with them. In 2015 I moved from CO to LA to follow my dream of becoming a professional dancer

Any memorable dancing experiences?

One of my best experiences was dancing in Rihanna’s “Savage X Fenty” Show at NYFW. Besides working with Rihanna, I was able to work with Parris Goebel, a choreographer I have looked up to for years.

One person you would like to dance for or with?

I would love to dance for Ariana Grande with her choreographers, Scott and Brian Nicholson

What does dance mean to you?

Dance is my passion. It is how I express myself and I can’t imagine my life without some form of dance in it.

Do you prefer to perform or teach and why?

Although I enjoy teaching and choreographing for others, my first love is performing.

If you weren’t a dancer, what would you have been?

Another form of entertainment performer.

Describe yourself or your story in under 25 words?

Dance is my passion, but my goal is to inspire others. I started my own movement #breakingthestereotypeTM. I believe that any “body” is a dancer’s body.

My most notable performances include dancing with Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Lizzo, and Meghan Trainor. I have performed on DWTS, Ellen, AGT, and at Coachella.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

My dream is to go on an international tour with a major artist and to continue choreographing

The post Amanda LaCount first appeared on The Dance Post.

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Pamela Hernández https://youcandance.in/thedancepost/pamela-hernandez/ https://youcandance.in/thedancepost/pamela-hernandez/#respond Thu, 15 Jul 2021 06:32:53 +0000 https://youcandance.in/thedancepost/?p=3854

Pamela Hernández
Professional dancer, choreographer and pole dance performer from Mexico.

What are your dancing styles?

Jazz lyrical, Commercial dance & Pole dance.

What made you choose this style?

The teachers that I trained with, made me fell in love with these styles.

When and how did you start dancing?

I started dancing at the age of 13. When I turned 15 I started dancing professionally.

Any memorable dancing experiences?

I believe every single moment of dancing has a story to tell, but definitely the most memorable times for me are the ones when my family and friends see me on stage.

One person you would like to dance for or with?

Any pop star I think but specially Bruno Mars, Justin Bieber and Beyonce.

What does dance mean to you?

Dancing is my medicine, there is no low moment it does not cure and no happy moment that it doesn’t exponentiate.

Do you prefer to perform or teach and why?

Perform for sure! Nothing compares to the adrenaline and satisfaction you experience when you are on stage.

If you weren’t a dancer, what would you have been?

A nutritionist.

Describe yourself or your story in under 25 words.

I became a dancer because of my favourite Mexican singer of the 90’s. I used to learn the choreography from her backup dancers. Then, 12 years later I had the opportunity of becoming her backup dancer on one of her tours.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

Hopefully still dancing but if not, then working on something stage related.

The post Pamela Hernández first appeared on The Dance Post.

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Patrice Moniz https://youcandance.in/thedancepost/patrice-moniz/ https://youcandance.in/thedancepost/patrice-moniz/#respond Mon, 21 Jun 2021 07:23:41 +0000 https://youcandance.in/thedancepost/?p=3712

Patrice Moniz
Founder, M-Intensive Online Dance Training

What is your dancing style(s)?

I am addicted to the Horton and Graham techniques

What made you choose this style?

I met my first Graham and Horton mentors more than a decade ago, then I was incredibly lucky to perform the Horton and Graham repertory on stage shortly after while I was still in training, this is perhaps why I fell in love with both techniques so quickly, these techniques are born on stage, so performing them reinforced my love and respect for Martha Graham and Lester Horton. I did notchoose; I was chosen to learn to share my knowledge today.
This is what I believe. It is my destiny.

When and how did you start dancing?

A few people know that, but I started my professional dance journey extremely late. I was born a dancer, always danced, however, my first professional encounter with dance was ballet and I started in my early 20s.I am obsessed and when I want something I get it. I wanted to become a dancer despite my late start and many people who did not believe in me. 15 years later I am proud to say that I have a career.

Any memorable dancing experiences?

Oh my, so many! Dancing with the Béjart Ballet Lausanne while Maurice Béjart was still alive is quite memorable. It was a tiny role, and I am so grateful for that. I will never forget the first time that I performed Graham on stage…Wow! So powerful, never felt anything like that before! And finally, studying the Horton and Graham techniques in NYC after winning a prestigious scholarship is also one of my biggest achievements. I am so lucky, and I thank Godfor that. I am kind of at the right place at the right moment quite often, I trust the Universe and its limitless power. There are no coincidences.

One person you would like to dance for or with?

I realized one of my dreams with Maurice Béjart. He was on my list. I would have love dancing with Martha Graham and Lester Horton! What a dream!

What does dance mean to you?

Dance is my life, it means everything and nothing at the same time because I do not think, I feel dance, it is part of me, as I often say to my students, we are not learning to dance in vocational schools, we learn technique. Dance is within us all. We are one.

Do you prefer to perform or teach and why?

Wow, I love the question! So hard to say, I cannot answer. I could not be the teacher I am without my stage experience; dance must be shared and without it we cannot really feel the essence of dance. Therefore, I strongly advice my students to dance first then to teach later when they are ready. I seriously cannot answer, I do love both equally, it is dance but it is not the same thing. It is not comparable.

If you weren’t a dancer, you would have been ?

A Chef!

Describe yourself or your story in under 25words.

This is the story of a young man who wanted to dance.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

I love this question too. Very tricky though. I founded M-Intensive Online Dance Training 1 year ago and I created M-Intensive University 1 year later. These platforms are dedicated to the Horton and Graham techniques. I would love them both to keep shining and inspiring people to share around them my love, our love for Graham and Horton. I do have other plans; however, I am not the one revealing everything…

So, keep an eye open and see you in 10 years!

The post Patrice Moniz first appeared on The Dance Post.

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