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10 Questions With…Elisa Toro Franky

June 17, 2010 by 4dancers

Today we have an interview Elisa Toro Franky–a 2010 competitor in The USA International Ballet Competition.  Representing Columbia, she studies at Dance Theatre of Harlem and credits Arthur Mitchell as the most influential person in her dance career.  (Arthur Mitchell is the 2010 USA IBC honorary chairperson.)

4dancers will be featuring other people who are associated with this  “olympic-style” competition over the coming weeks, so stay tuned. And now…Elisa…

1. How did you wind up a dancer?

When I was a child, my parents always encouraged my brother and me to explore different activities besides the normal school. Art has always been highly important in my family, and therefore, when I was 8 years old, my mother suggested me to start Ballet classes. I was captured by Ballet from the very first lesson, and as years went by, I chose to pursue the dream of being a professional ballerina.

 

Elisa Toro Franky

2. What road has taken you to the USA International Ballet Competition?

Since I heard about the USA International Ballet Competition in 2005, I saw it as a fabulous challenge for a dancer; the ideal scenario to offer one’s talent and hard work, while learning from excellent dancers from all over the world.

I applied for the 2006 USA IBC, without success. Since then, I have had the chance to learn and to gather performing experience during the last 4 years with the Miami City Ballet, then with the Washington Ballet, and now with the Dance Theater of Harlem. This has propelled me into the selected group of competitors for the 2010 USA IBC.

3. How have you prepared yourself for this competition, both physically and mentally?

Physically and mentally go together. I focused on the development of the physical strength required for each solo, exploring every movement transition, every corner of motion. I reflected a lot about the energetic shape for each role. In addition, the encouragement and support I received from my family, friends and co-workers was crucial in the process.

4. Do you have any advice for other dancers who are going to compete in dance?

Be very organized in the preparation process and do not waste valuable time. It is all about self-discipline and love for your art.

5. You have said that Arthur Mitchell is the most influential person in your dance career…can you explain why that is?

He is such an honorable man! He created a company that welcomes all races in one stage, where it is the mere quality of the craft that is important, not the race or the ethnicity. He opened a door for equal opportunities for African-American dancers and for dancers from over the world, and they excelled before a worldwide audience. Arthur Mitchell is respected and truly admired by all of us at the Dance Theatre of Harlem.

6. What is it like to study at Dance Theatre of Harlem?

I believe that the diversity of their repertoire made me a versatile dancer, which is essential in a dance career. The artistic faculty is there to coach us, to guide us toward the greatest dancers we can become. However, they are very strict and demanding, which impulses us to higher levels of performance.  

7. Would you share something special from your dance career so far?

I find special the fact that I willingly left my country, my family and friends, in order to pursue advanced studies and a professional dance career in USA. I was 17 years old when I had to go far away from my nest in Colombia, so I could get closer to a professional Ballet environment abroad.

8. Have you had any challenges in terms of your career so far?

Everything has been a challenge, I approach it that way. Earning soloist roles, auditioning, going on tour, experimenting with my own choreography for the first time!

9. Who are your favorite dancers?

Viviana Durante, from the Royal Ballet, to mention one of many dancers I admire.

10. What is next for you?

I am looking forward to continue to dance with the Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble. I am looking forward to the concrete projects they have for re-opening the main company. That has been the greatest hope cherished at DTH during the last few years.

About the competition: The USA International Ballet Competition is a two-week, “olympic-style” competition where tomorrow’s stars vie for gold, silver and bronze medals; cash awards; company contracts; and scholarships. The event is designated as the official international ballet competition in the United States by a Joint Resolution of Congress. Presented under the auspices of the International Dance Committee, International Theatre Institute of UNESCO, the USA IBC is held every four years in Jackson, Miss., in the tradition of sister competitions in Varna, Bulgaria, and Moscow, Russia.

For more information about USA IBC, visit www.usaibc.com or join our Facebook community.

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Filed Under: 10 Questions With..., 4dancers, 4teachers, Studios Tagged With: arthur mitchell, dance theatre of harlem, elisa toro franky, ibc, royal ballet, the usa international ballet competition, viviana durante

Sound Moves At Southbank Centre, London

March 20, 2010 by 4dancers

For those in the UK…

Sound Moves is an event that celebrates dance and music, and it’s coming up March 26 and 27 th at Southbank Center’s Royal Festival Hall. This event centers around a series of performances by young musicians and dancers and it is supported by the Government’s Music and Dance Scheme.

Performers range from 9 to 18 years of age, and the main events include the following:

FRIDAY 26 MARCH

Clore Ballroom Performance, 11.00 am

For two days Southbank Centre will be over flowing with young musicians and dancers for Sound Moves. This performance in the Clore Ballroom will show how diverse music and dance can be. The programme includes classical ballet students from the Royal Ballet School, a chamber orchestra, a brass band, Indonesian Gamelan, contemporary dance and an award winning drummer!

Friday Lunch, Central Bar, 1.00pm

Young musicians from the Yehudi Menuhin School, the Royal College of Music’s Junior Department and the Purcell School of Music will play a programme of classical chamber music.

Pre-Performance Teaser, Clore Ballroom, 6.15pm

Young musicians and dancers will spill out into the Clore Ballroom before their performance in the Royal Festival Hall. Audiences will be treated to a sneak preview of the energy, excitement, creativity and talent of these young performers.

Sound Moves: Celebrating Excellence in Music and Dance, Royal Festival Hall, 7.30pm

At the centre of the two day event this show in the Royal Festival Hall, with performances by over 400 young people, promises to be full of energy and young talent. The programme features classical ballet, big band jazz, contemporary dance, choral singing, Kathak dance and percussion.

SATURDAY 27 MARCH

Piano Marathon, Level 5 Function Room, 10.30 am

Open Orchestra, Clore Ballroom, 11.30 am

An amazing opportunity to sit in amongst an orchestra as they rehearse. Students from the Royal Academy of Music’s Junior Department will rehearse in the Clore Ballroom whilst you sit right in the middle. Your chance to hear what each section sounds like and experience what it feels like to be in the orchestra.

Clore Ballroom Performance, Clore Ballroom, 1.00 pm

After a rich programme of music and dance the performance will finish with an extract of the opera The Jailors Tale performed by over 100 young people.

Strictly Dance Band, Clore Ballroom, 4.00 pm

Finishing Sound Moves on a high, jazz bands from top music schools, centres and conservatoires across London and the South East will play popular dance numbers with members of the public encouraged to take to the floor.

Workshop Programme, Spirit Level, various times between 10.00 – 17.00

A programme of free music and dance workshops for young people aged 10-18 to experience the music and dance scheme which is behind Sound Moves. Please check the website for the full timetable of workshops.

The Southbank Centre Artists in Residence who will be taking part in Sound Moves are Gauri Sharma Tripathi (Kathak choreographer and dancer), dancers from Bonachela Dance and the cellist Oliver Coates.

For more information on this event visit the Southbank Centre page.

Filed Under: Dance in the UK, Editorial Tagged With: dance, music, royal ballet, sound moves, southbank centre, uk

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