LA or New York?
That seems to be the question on every dancers mind once they decide to become a professional dancer. If you want to go the more classical approach, go to New York. Broadway and Ballet academies await. If you want the more commercial feel, go to LA. Commercials, music tours, and movie sets are holding your spot. This is the narrative we are told night and day, so why would they think any different?
I am here to propose two thoughts: First, it doesn't logically make sense that any jobs would be left if every professional dancer went to those cities. There are dancers who audition for Busch Gardens in New York and if they get the gig, they are flown down to Williamsburg, Virginia in order to work there. They could've just auditioned in Williamsburg!
Second, think about how many people want to be creative in their art (hopefully everyone), but how little people are creative in where they put their art. You're telling me that we can create amazing art, but only in two cities in the world? Boring!!
BeatHunter Dance is a business that provides innovative dance education. We're all about using dance in unconventional ways. Here are two other incredible artists and their work. Hopefully they'll spark your creativity on how to use dance!
-Exit12 Dance Company uses dance stories about military personnel to "educate audiences about the reality of war, advocate diversity and mutual understanding through cultural exchange, and champion the humanity and dignity of all persons."
-Alyssa Coffin created "The Aftermath," an abstract painting she painted with her feet by dancing on the canvas, that was influenced by the murder of a woman in Smokey Mountain National Park. Side note: She danced on the same trail where the murder happened and used a song that was made out of natural sounds of the park.
Never box your art! You are a unique person who has a unique story to tell and a unique passion that needs to be realized. Take your art further than the stereotype.
Live in Motion,
-Joél Casanova