Guest Blog
Arts Umbrella Senior Dance Company dancer Ria Girard

This is my third year participating in the choreographic mentorship with Crystal Pite and it has consistently been one of the most pivotal periods of each year. Of course, part of it is receiving guidance and insight from one of today’s world-renowned choreographers. But it is also an incredible way to unite each class. There is no better way to build a team than creating art together, and putting on your own show.

Last year I was one of the choreographers, and since then I have gained a tremendous amount of respect for anyone who puts themselves in that position. A choreographer is probably the most vulnerable person in a studio. Trying to articulate your imagination to a full room of people (in this case your own peers) can be paralyzing. Never mind the logistics of the actual physicality - as Crystal once said during our rehearsals “It is amazing what dancers can do in my head!”.

This dilemma calls for a tremendous amount of encouragement, respect, and trust in one another. It is crucial that as dancers we support the choreographer's creativity; it is a time when we forget about judgement and be inspired by each other. When seeing the beauty and depth that has evolved over the past few months in our peers’ work, we learn to respect anyone who is choreographing - regardless of their years of experience or what kind of relationship we have with them. Through this experience we learn how to communicate and understand each other on such a profound level. The trust that is developed in each other as dancers, choreographers, and artists in general elevates both our work and our companionship.