We were lucky to catch up with Deanna Stanton recently and have shared our conversation below.

Deanna, appreciate you joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

There was never an exact moment I can point to of when I knew I wanted to pursue dance professional, I just knew that I loved dancing and creating choreography and I never wanted to stop. I started dancing when I was 2 1/2 because of a doctor recommendation for my hips. I created my first piece of choreography with I was 12. I auditioned for the Baltimore School for the Arts for High School and was accepted into their dance program. I spent my freshman and senior year here & learned so many tools not only as a dancer but a choreographer as well. I had incredible teachers that believe in me and encouraged me to continue creating choreography. My sophomore and junior year of high school I attended Valentina Kozlova’s Dance Conservatory of New York. She gave me incredible training and also allowed me the opportunity to choreograph 2 works on her students while I was there. I decided I wanted to go to college to continue my education while pursing dance. I attended the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. The way their program was set up at the time, I was able to do my freshman and sophomore year physically at the college and then my junior and senior year I was able to get my first professional experience as a trainee with Ballet West while still getting my degree online. The program there gave me opportunities to keep furthering my choreographic pursuits as well. Next, I joined Ballet Arkansas and have been dancing with the company and continuing to choreograph ever since. It truly is my dream job.

Deanna, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hi, I’m Deanna Stanton. I’m currently a company artist with Ballet Arkansas and I’ll be starting my 11th season with the company in August. I’m also a choreographer. I’ve created several contemporary ballet works for festivals such as the Young Choreographers Festivals, New Century Dance Project, Rhode Island Women’s Choreography Project as well as two full length ballets; Cinderella & the Little Mermaid. I’ve had the opportunity to create several works for Ballet Arkansas. I have an incredibly supportive husband as well as a sweet daughter. I’m so grateful for the chance to be a mom while also continuing to pursue a career in dance and the arts.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

As a choreographer, I have a few goals when I’m creating a new work. I want to make the audience feels something through the movement and the story I tell. My works are mostly inspired by experiences I’ve had or stories I want to tell. Sometimes piece I’ve created that have been inspired by a phrase or even a word. I want the dancers who are performing my works to enjoy the process while also being pushed to try new and different movement. I want to bring the music to life through the movement I’m creating. I think that dance can enhance the music and I always aim to do that with my choreography. Getting to share what I’ve created with the dancers to the audience is such an incredible experience and rewarding aspect of being a choreographer.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I want to create. I fell in love with choreographing at 12 years old and I just want to keep creating. I’m so grateful to be a professional ballet dancer and for all the opportunities I’ve been given to choreograph. Now being a mom, I love getting to share all of this with my daughter. I love getting to share my creative process with her as I choreograph at home and getting to share my performances and even my choreography with her is so special.

Contact Info:

• Website: Deannastanton.com
• Instagram: @deannastantonchoreography @destanton
• Other: [email protected]

Image Credits
Photo courtesy of Ballet Arkansas, photography by Melissa Dooley Photography