For some dancers,pursuing dance as a profession means navigating a gap between personal and collective values,traditions,and beliefs that don’t always recognize dance as a viable career. At the same time, facing conflict can strengthen commitment and fuel creativity. Exploring personal history and the challenges faced along the way can be a valuable source of inspiration.
Here, three artists share how navigating opposition or misunderstanding from their nondance communities has shaped their career paths and continues to inform their work, through cultivating discipline, informing their creative process, and creating new opportunities for other artists like themselves.
## Diane Nicole Lee
Freelance dancer based in New York City
I’m originally from Manila,Philippines,but I’ve been living in the United States for almost eight years. I recently decided to go all-in with dance and am now enrolled in Ballet Arts’ international student visa program. I’ve been training hard and am working toward my artist visa.
I have lots of compassion and empathy toward my family and our culture. But in the Philippines, dance isn’t seen as a career. Ever since my mom fell into a coma when I was in high school, I felt a huge duty to stay and help run our family business-though I wanted to dance.I stayed for a year of college and got to represent the Philippines on “World of Dance.” After that year, I realized that I only have one life, and that I could help my family in different ways.
In 2017, I moved to New York City and transferred to Fordham University to get my bachelor’s degree in new media and digital design. I took dance classes in the city, but when the pandemic hit, I could take more virtually-even from choreographers from around the world. It was then that I thought I could still make dance a career. After graduating in 2021, I told my dad it was now or never. Knowing other Filipino dancers helped during that transition. The Manila dance community is very supportive, and it has so many talented dancers. I’d made a lot of connections during the pandemic and eventually found a community in New York City. That’s the beauty of being here: There are people from all over the world like you.
Sometimes, it can be arduous for me to not think, Do I even deserve to be in this room? I didn’t have the world-class training some of my peers have had. But I’m learning to own my path. This summer,I produced and performed in a dance showcase benefiting Share The Movement,a nonprofit promoting diversity in dance. I really resonated with their mission: providing more opportunities for young dancers of color to receive the kind of training they deserve. Ballet, especially, can sometimes feel like a selfish pursuit. We’re so focused on our own growth. But knowing that this
The Spiritual Roots of Choreographer Kyle Abraham’s Work
Table of Contents
Choreographer Kyle Abraham draws deeply from his upbringing in Pittsburgh, particularly his experiences within the religious community he was raised in. This background,steeped in the tradition of four-part harmonies and a strong sense of community,profoundly shapes his artistic process and the themes explored in his work,including inclusion,exclusion,and the importance of individual voice. Abraham’s choreography isn’t simply about movement; it’s a reflection of his personal journey and a search for understanding through artistic expression.
From Gospel Choir to the Dance Studio
Abraham’s early musical education in a church habitat was formative. Participating in four-part harmonies instilled in him a crucial understanding: that every voice is essential. He carries this beliefs into his dance rehearsals, recognizing the unique qualities and needs of each dancer. He avoids a one-size-fits-all approach, tailoring his dialog to resonate with each individual. This sensitivity is a cornerstone of his choreographic method.
“As a choreographer, you need to develop the sensitivity to understand each individual in the group,” Abraham explains, highlighting the importance of recognizing and valuing the distinct contributions of each performer.
Untitled and the Exploration of Community
This emphasis on individual voice and community dynamics is powerfully illustrated in his 2013 piece, Untitled. The work explores themes of inclusion and exclusion, symbolized by the dancers joining hands in a circle. This imagery, Abraham reveals, was unexpectedly sparked by a personal experience.
During a drive with his parents near his hometown, he observed Old Order Mennonites gathered in circles in their yards. This seemingly simple scene triggered a flood of childhood memories and a deeper understanding of the symbolic weight within his choreography. The visual resonated with his own experiences and provided a new layer of meaning to his artistic expression. This moment demonstrates how personal history can unexpectedly illuminate creative work.
Faith, Conflict, and Artistic Purpose
While no longer actively practicing the faith of his upbringing, Abraham acknowledges it’s enduring influence on his life and artistic identity. He recognizes that authentic community is rarely without conflict,and that confronting these challenges can lead to profound growth and understanding.
“An honest community is never without conflict. We should embrace confrontation when it is an prospect to gain a deeper understanding of each other,” he states. It was through navigating these complexities within his community that Abraham arrived at a clearer understanding of his artistic purpose – why he creates, and why he feels compelled to continue pushing forward.
Key Takeaways
* The Importance of Individual Voice: Abraham’s upbringing in a four-part harmony tradition instilled in him the belief that every voice is valuable and necessary.
* Personal Experience as Inspiration: His choreography is deeply rooted in personal experiences, including memories of his childhood and observations of his community.
* Community and Conflict: Abraham acknowledges the inherent complexities of community, including the role of conflict in fostering deeper understanding.
* Faith as a Lasting Influence: Even though he is no longer actively part of the faith,his religious upbringing continues to shape his artistic vision.
Abraham’s work serves as a powerful example of how personal history and spiritual roots can inform and enrich artistic expression. By embracing his past and confronting the complexities of community, he continues to create choreography that is both deeply personal and universally resonant, promising further exploration of these themes in his future work.