What is unique about Create Dance Company? "CREATE Dance Company is unique because it allows the dancer to find the deeper meaning of choreography. It allows dancers to be creative, without restrictions, which makes us feel safe to share our stories. I feel the most unique aspect of CREATE, is we not only learn about the art of dance but we take time to learn life lessons through dance. CREATE is a family where you will make lifelong friends."
What was your favorite song choice and why? "My favorite song so far, is "Only Love," by Mumford and Sons. I love the meaning behind the song and feel the vibe portrays exactly what I want to show when I dance, which is happiness and love."
What is your favorite piece of choreography you've danced with CREATE? "My favorite piece of choreography I have done with Create is a group dance, Moving Forward. This dance represented leaving our dark pasts and moving forward. I think it is such an important piece because it shows that everyone has had something tough in their lives and you can get through it.."
How do you think CREATE will impact other dancers? "I believe CREATE will remind dancers of why they love dance so much. Dance is such a special thing and we as dancers should be grateful for it everyday. As a competition dancer sometimes I have forgotten why I love dance and have gotten caught up in just winning; Create reminds me of the real reason I dance. CREATE opens up a new world of opportunities and inspiration when it comes to dance. Create is a family and you are never alone. **PHOTOS BY CHELSEACARA PHOTOGRAPHY**
Did your definition of dance change after your experience with CREATE? "Dance is forever changed for me, CREATE has shown me how to look at a dance or listen to a piece of music and see the interlocking webs of emotion, movement, and meaning behind the lyrics working together to create a truly beautiful piece of dance. Dance is now even more powerful than it already was."
What were your experiences in learning to create? "I mostly focused on choreographing my own pieces this past year because it was really important for me to focus on learning all I can by myself before I applied it to larger groups of dancers. In group pieces and trios, I helped choreograph sections, learning from the other choreographers and funneling it into my solos."
Which was the most difficult piece of choreography you chose to develop? "The most difficult piece of choreography I did this past year was a solo I never ended up doing. It was a dance to a beautiful piece of music, and I knew exactly what message I wanted to convey with the dance, but I had an extremely difficult time actually dancing this message. Turns out, I cared deeply for the dance and the message, but it was not the piece I needed to dance at that point in my life. After spending hours struggling to choreograph and finally finishing it, I scrapped the entire dance and chose a new song with a new message and finished the choreography in less than an hour. That is how you know you are doing what you are supposed to be doing."
Which was the easiest piece of choreography you chose to develop? "My first solo, Tightrope, was the easiest piece I have ever choreographed. Once I figured out how to fully emerge myself in the piece, I just took the message and ran with it. Since it was my first solo I had ever personally choreographed, I had nothing to compare it to in order to make it “better.” I deeply connected with what I was dancing and that is what propelled me to create the dance."
How do you think CREATE will impact other dancers? "I believe CREATE will open the eyes of dancers to the joys as well as the trial and tribulations of creating a dance they will fall in love with. It takes a lot more than people think to choreograph a dance, and once you go through the process yourself, you are more connected to the world of dance than ever before. CREATE opens up a new world of possibilities to dancers, a world they may never reach alone."