Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to YELENA KONETCHY. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
YELENA, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
My most meaningful project was my second dance film titled “Bloom”. This film gave me the opportunity to use my skills as a dance artist of 15 years, with my ability to work with children for 17 years as a dance teacher, and choreographic skills to direct and co-write a dance film. This film was particularly important for me to make as my creative projects come from inspiration. I wanted to create a film about a coming of age story, a girl that is in transition from her youth into an adult. She relates reality while playing with her toys, reflecting on life’s moments of chaos, emptiness, and love. It was dear to my heart to put the story together as a theatrical film with an experimental touch for the adult to reflect on. In addition to the creative aspect, I enjoyed directing the dancers, the crew, and designing the film.
Bloom had won the Community Initiatives Impact Award from The City of Austin and won best experimental film at Transform Film Festival 2019, screened at Emergence: A Collection of Films in 2018, semi-finalist Arthouse Film Festival 2018, San Souci Festival of Dance Cinema 2019, ADF’s Movies by Movers 2019, Shot by Shot Film Festival 2019, Austin Film Project 2019, and The Seam Project 2019.
YELENA, 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?
I remember the very first time I stood backstage about to go on. I was so nervous wearing a long dress, wings, and a halo. At age 9, I was an Angel in The Nutcracker with no dance experience at that time. All I had to do was hold my palms together, stand tall, smile, and move my feet small while maintaining space between the dancer in front of me within the time of music. I had never taken a dance class in my life and somehow was selected! From there I just loved dance, I had to continue, and year after year I would dance longer and more everyday.
I distinctly remember in school when my teacher asked us to write what we would be when we grew up. I started writing that I wanted to be a dancer. She came up to my table and said, “that’s a hobby, maybe try something else?”. I didn’t listen and finished my paper on wanting to be a dancer. I believe I was 10 years old.
I began my career at The Illinois Ballet, followed by Charleston Ballet Theatre, Thel Dance Theatre as Company Manager, and a free- lance artist. I had been teaching for 13 years and dancing over 20 years. In addition, I had worked with Sally Bliss of Tudor Foundation, Amanda McKerrow, Andrei Bossov, Grace Holmes, Meg Brooker, Lori Belilove, and Dawn Karlovsky. I can be found at the Library of Congress in preserving works of Isadora Duncan. I am also certified in Vaganova Ballet Technique on scholarship by Ballet Master John White, RAD syllabus by Lynn Wallis, and Lester Horton technique under Ana Marie Forsythe. I loves dance and its valuable lessons for life and the opportunity to be creative!
I have also worked on several music videos, many musical theatre productions, modern dance, commercial work, ballet and then I ventured into filmmaking. As I had to stop dancing from chronic injuries, I transitioned into a directing role as an independent filmmaker and found love in creative projects of my own, expanding my love for the Arts.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
I think many different kinds of books, videos, or essays can help the Artist grow in whatever creative time they are in. I had a time when I just fell in love with Isadora Duncan, the mother of Modern Dance. I was obsessed in which I read probably over 10 books written about her. She was a true inspiration and such a pioneer in the world of dance and of life. Although her life ended tragic she is a spirit to remember because her ideas were often found to be repulsive and at the same time praised.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
Artists cannot exist without their community. If the community is not interested then the Artist will struggle finding their audience. I strongly encourage people in their town to go visit their local Artists and see their plays, music, galleries, etc. The more support, then the Artist feels that their work is meaningful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.yelenakonetchy.info
- Instagram: yelenaatx
- Youtube: @yelenakonetchy4212
- Other: https://www.lvnthelife.com
Image Credits
“Bloom” Film