Zoe and Karen currently serve as co-founders and co-presidents of the Alegria Contemporary Ballet Company. Both avid dancers, together they work hard to bring a dance company to McGill students that incorporates ballet and contemporary dance.
Anna Stuber for Her Campus McGill (HC McGill): How did you first get involved with dance?
Karen Chen (KC): I was a tomboy growing up, but when a ballet studio opened near my house when I was around nine years old, my mother encouraged me to try it out. Although I was reluctant at first, to my surprise it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I soon fell in love with classical ballet and decided to make it a big part of my life. When I was twelve, I auditioned and was accepted to a performing arts school in Toronto for their dance program. There, I was exposed to other styles of dance such as modern and contemporary. I was able to perform in many showcases and ballets and I discovered how much I loved it. The artistic outlet of expression that dance provides is unlike any other.
Zoe Goldstein (ZG): I was a rhythmic gymnast for seven years, and in grade eight I had a friend who was an artistic gymnast. Our school was holding a talent show and we both wanted to try out dancing. We both fell in love with dancing! The next year, my friend was looking into dance studios and asked me if I wanted to join one with her. I said yes and began the dual schedule of dance and gymnastics. Eventually, I grew increasingly dissatisfied with gymnastics as my appreciation for dance grew. I continued with both competitive gymnastics and competitive dance for the following year as well but for my third year of high school decided it was time to focus solely on dancing, seeing as that was my true passion. I couldn’t have been happier!
HC McGill: How did you come to co-found Alegria Contemporary Dance Company?
KC and ZG: We both met last year when we joined a McGill dance group. Throughout the year, we realized that we craved more ballet technique than was offered by any of the dance clubs on campus. We realized we could make the dream of incorporating ballet into contemporary dance a reality by creating our own SSMU club. From that point on, we worked with the interest group coordinator at SSMU on our club application until, five months later, it was finally accepted!
HC McGill: Tell me about your vision for the company and its goals for its first year.
KC and ZG: Our vision for the company is a group of dancers that has a passion for dance, positive energy, and is committed to Alegria’s success. For the first year, we hope to hold a very successful year-end production and make our mark within the McGill dance community!
HC McGill: What’s the most rewarding part about being presidents?
KC and ZG: So far, we think it is definitely watching our vision come to life. After months of hard work, watching things unfold is unbelievably rewarding. The most exciting part to date was holding auditions, where forty-five dancers showed up! We couldn’t believe it, thinking: “We actually did this. This is actually happening.”
HC McGill: What are your hopes for students who join the company?
KC and ZG: Our sincere hope for the dancers who join the company is that they find a place where a love of dance is shared. We hope they will cultivate great relationships with one another and form a positive environment of mutual support and encouragement. We also hope that each one discovers within themselves the creativity to choreograph their own pieces and the leadership to teach their own classes. Ultimately, we want each member of the company to have a fulfilling experience that will motivate them to be as passionate about our community as we are!
HC McGill: How can students get involved? What previous experience with dance do they need to have?
KC and ZG: Our club has three areas of involvement: first, the company itself (which is by audition and requires an intermediate to advanced level of previous dance experience). Second, we offer monthly $5 drop-in classes in various dance styles that require no previous experience and are open to the entire McGill community. Third, we organize groups of students to see Les Grands Ballets Canadiens shows at 40% off! We encourage any member of the McGill community to like our Facebook page and/or sign up for our newsletter to hear about events we are holding.
Image contributed by the interviewees.