Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Erin, Amanda, Jonatan -. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Erin, Amanda, Jonatan , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
My career as a dancer is a bit unusual especially for a ballet dancer. I’ve had the opportunity to perform a wide variety of styles while working with world renowned coaches, stagers, and choreographers. These experiences include classical ballet, musical theater, modern and postmodern dance, and experimental theater. I love when these experiences come together on the same program and I am well known for effortlessly transitioning from one style to the next. As a rehearsal director and teacher I love passing on the information I learned from these varied experiences.
I am now more often at the front of the room as a teacher, director, and choreographer. I find it vital in this position to be an empathetic leader who can inspire, challenge and create a safe positive environment for the other artists in the room. I strive everyday to encourage the next generation of performers to feel confident and committed.- Amanda
At first, I joined dance out of obligation, especially since I was originally into soccer. But I quickly realized that, as one of the few male dancers, I’d be surrounded by many talented women, and that amusing reality made me embrace dance😜 . Over time, I fell in love with it, made great friends, and now it’s my passion and profession- Jonatan
I think the first signs were there long before I even realized it. When I was a kid, I was constantly putting on “Broadway shows” in my living room and making my friends participate. I would choreograph dances, assign everyone roles, and insist that our parents sit down and watch the performance. At the time it just felt like play, but looking back, it was probably the earliest sign that performing, and creating were always going to be a part of my life.- Erin
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
NOCO Dance Intensive was created to give dedicated young dancers across the Front Range a true high-level training experience without having to leave Colorado. Built from a passion to bridge the gap between local studio training and the professional dance world, NOCO offers dancers the chance to work closely with industry-leading faculty, explore a wide range of styles, and grow in both artistry and technique. Our goal is to create an inspiring, supportive environment where dancers feel challenged, seen, and prepared for their next steps, whether that’s advancing within their studio, pursuing pre-professional opportunities, or stepping confidently into a future dance career.- Erin
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
At NOCO Dance Intensive, we believe that talent, dedication, and love for the art form should be the things that open doors—not financial limitations. Through the Kristina Scholarship, we hope to provide opportunities for dancers who may not otherwise have access to high-level training and mentorship.
Dance has the power to transform lives, and we are committed to doing our part to make sure more dancers have the chance to experience it.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Being a professional ballet dancer is like being on a rollercoaster. The glamorous exciting moments come with very hard work and dedication. It is a demanding career that is also very short lived. Sometimes those demanding moments can manifest in feelings of self doubt and exhaustion.- Amanda
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nocodanceintensive.com
- Instagram: @nocodanceintensive
- Facebook: NOCO Dance Intensive
Image Credits
https://www.instagram.com/jessicamielkephoto?igsh=Z3RpYTU5bmJjd3dn