“People have asked me why I chose to be a dancer. I did not choose. I was chosen to be a dancer, and with that, you live all your life. ”
- Martha Graham
Dancing as a part of Meroula Hondrou’s Independent Project –
Last year I got the chance to be a part of an independent dance project, which was choreographed by Meroula Hondrou. This was her piece as a part of her degree, so I was very grateful she asked me to be a part of it. I loved every rehearsal leading up the performance and especially the actual performance. As a choreographer, Meroula was understanding, very appreciative, but she also knew what she wanted and how to get it from us as dancers. Her piece required stamina and for us to look strong and in some sections, we had to dance as one. It was challenging yet very rewarding. I learnt a lot through the process, for example all the dancers have to work together as a team all the time, we have to be supportive and understanding towards the choreographer and it takes a lot of time and effort to create a piece like this. I am still very grateful I got this opportunity as I helped me develop myself as a dancer and pushed my performance and technique to the absolute limit.
Attending AIvin Ailey’s ‘Revelations’ –
This year I had the great opportunity to go and see the works of Alvin Ailey in Edinburgh. It was a triple bill, the three works were called ‘Open door’, ‘Piazzolla Caldera’ and ‘Revelations’. It was an incredible experience, although the other two pieces were just as brilliant, ‘Revelations’ was breath taking. I had goose bumps through the entirety of the piece, it was mesmerizing. I had heard so much about the piece prior to seeing it and it definitely did not disappoint.
The piece was choreographed to a Blue’s suite and the spirituality of each section was brilliant. The idea he had from slavery to freedom shone through the choreography immensely. Each dancer danced the piece so beautifully and was just so incredible to watch.
This piece of work was so inspiring to me because this theme and idea meant a lot to Alvin Ailey, and the amount of work and though that was put in came through in the performance. I have choreographed a few pieces of my own in the past, and although they were far from this level it has helped inspire me to try and do some more work in the near future. Personally, I find choreography difficult as it does not come natural to me, but when I do begin to get into it, it gets easier and becomes fun to create new movements on dancers.
Performing in Daniel Job’s production of ‘The Nutcracker’ –
My second touring season with the Ballet West Company was performing ‘The Nutcracker’. This was the most exciting tour for me because I got to dance as a ‘Candy Cane’. This was one of my favourite roles within the ballet as a child, so it was a great and thrilling opportunity for me. It was such a good experience for me because I got to push my body and improve on my technique in every rehearsal, it was not a long dance, but it definitely required stamina and a strong classical technique, which I strived for every time I danced the part. Mr. Job’s choreography was intricate and so fun to dance, it was definitely something I will never forget.
