We were lucky to catch up with Asia Pyron recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Asia, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
In 2021, I had just moved to Nashville to embark on a journey of establishing my company, PYDANCE, in a city that lacks exposure to dance performances. During the first few weeks I’ve arriving, I stumble upon the Centennial Arts Center, a visual art community organization. I thought the building had a unique design as I noticed the grass-filled pit you can walk into. It was an outdoor patio that was one level lower than the actual building. I decided to walk into the center and ask someone about the building and why it was so different than any arts building I’ve seen before. I met the director, Josh Wagner, and he tells me the historic past of the building. I learned that the building use to be a public pool, but in the 60s it was shut down along with all 22 public pools in Nashville to avoid integration laws. The pool had been abandoned until it was reintroduced as Centennial Arts Center in the 70s. When rebuilding the center, they kept the structure of the deep end of what use to be the pool. The building that use to hold bathrooms and a snack bar is now a gallery and art center where community art classes take place. The deep end of the pool, remains a pit where performances and events are presented.
After hearing this amazing story, I was eager to propose a performance to commemorate the center and bring attention to one of Nashville Civil Rights historic building. I partnered with the center to perform my work, “POOL”, for their 50th Anniversary. This was PYDANCE’s debut performance in Nashville and launched our company.
Asia, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Asia Pyron is a freelance choreographer and the director of PYDANCE. Asia is originally from Atlanta, GA but received most of her early training at Interlochen Arts Academy in Northern Michigan. After graduating highschool, Asia attended the Boston Conservatory at Berklee where she received her B.F.A. in Contemporary Performance and Composition in 2020. During her time in Boston, she formed her dance collective, PYDANCE, and performed in local dance festivals such as the Boston Contemporary Dance Festival, Onstage360, and the Boston Conservatory WinterWorks concerts. Asia has been commissioned as a guest artist at institutions and companies such as the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, URBANITY Dance, DanceLab NY, and Nolte Academy. After moving to Nashville, TN, Asia directed and choreographed an original PYDANCE production, “POOL”, created for the 50th Anniversary of the Centennial Art Center. PYDANCE has also performed on tour at The James Theater in Iowa City, IA. Asia has been awarded various grant and residency opportunities such as the Metro Arts THRIVE Grant, South Arts Cross-Sector Impact Grant in partnership with Creative Parks Nashville, and the Mare Nostrum Elements: Emerging Choreographers Series. Asia currently resides in Nashville, TN, where she continues to create work for PYDANCE and other dance organizations throughout the country.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
Donate to your local organizations who are supporting artist and providing resources. Vote for the people that will continue to push for funding of the arts and attend forums to speak up about the decrease of funding the arts has in the south.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
I get to lead the next generation of dancers and dance makers. I get to be an example for all female, black choreographers and show the power of my artistic intelligence and how I use it to share messages of society.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.PYDANCE.online
- Instagram: @_pydance_
- Facebook: Asia Pyron
Image Credits
Personal Photo: Whitney Browne Other Photos: Karen Hicks Lawrence