DanceHappenings On The Edge

YardEdge Talks to Jamaican Dancer & Choreographer Stefanie Belnavis

The first ever Jamaica Dance Umbrella is coming up this weekend, starting Friday March 6 at the Philip Sherlock Center as part of the International Arts Festival being held there this month.  In support of this event, YardEdge will be profiling a series of Jamaican dancers and choreographers who will be taking part in this showcase of Jamaican dance.

We start with Stefanie Belnavis, member of the National Dance Theatre Company.

stefaniebelnavis

YardEdge: Why are you an artist/dancer and when did you first become one?

Stefanie: Being a dancer/choreographer is the most natural outlet of expression I have ever known.

YardEdge:  How would you describe your work?

Stefanie: My work is inspired by every aspect of life. I love to explore things, people, issues, situations and concepts that are real and interesting, often times reflecting that of the abstract. The virtuosic style of moving appeals to my work a lot as I am intrigued by the varying shapes the body can make, the way in which the body can move and WHAT MOVES THE BODY. Social commentary is prevalent within my work but not always the focus.

YardEdge:  What type of dance do you do?

Stefanie: I practice Contemporary Dance with a focus on Release Technique and Dance Theatre.

YardEdge:  Which company/group do you dance with, if any?

Stefanie: I am a member of the National Dance Theatre Company.

YardEdge:  What artists/dancers have influenced you and how?

Stefanie: – Pina Bausch – German Dance Theatre Pioneer who created a whole new genre of dance as it reflects life
– Sylvie Guilem – Though formally trained in Ballet I admire the way in which she could cross over in to so many other dance forms
– Akram Khan – Love his movement vocabulary
– Tricia Brown – Phenomenal Post Modern Dancer/Choreographer/Dance Pioneer
– Nina Simone – Her music has a depth that is universal
– Kathryn Dunham – Pioneer of her time
– Vincent Cacalano
– Tony Wilson
– Marlon Simms
– Arsenio Andrade
– Tamara Noel

YardEdge:  What other interests do you have outside of dance?

Stefanie: My interests outside of Dance are very diverse. I love Fashion Designing/Merchandising (love the individiualistic nature of style), Interior Decorating/Designing and Photography.

YardEdge:  What inspires you to keep motivated when things get tough?

Stefanie: My goals and personal drive keeps me motivated. Staying positive is essential to good living. I also believe that words give you power so I often write.

YardEdge:  How did you get started as a dancer?

Stefanie: My parents had just moved to Kingston from St. Mary when I was three and my mother (a lover of the arts) enrolled my two older sisters and myself in Ballet lessons with Elizabeth Vickers-Samuda. I just liked to get dressed up in my pink leotard and frilly pink ballet skirt but what started off as being a hobby blossomed in to my life’s passion.

YardEdge:  Who are some dance companies and or dancers that you admire?

Stefanie: – Candodance (United Kingdom) – Educational Dance Company that works with able and non-able bodied children and adults.
– Alvin Ailey Dance Company
– Netherlands Dance Company
– Loop Dance Company
– Urban Bush Women
– Walker Dance Company
– Rosie-Kay Dance Company

YardEdge:  What’s the best and worst parts of being an dancer?

Stefanie: Best Part – the freedom of movement when I dance, Worst Part – when your body starts to fail you

YardEdge:  Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Stefanie: In 10 years I hope life would still have blessed me with great opportunities to express myself and impact those around me. I hope to be Certified Dance Therapist. Also, the Director of Jamaica’s very first Recreational and Rehabilitation Therapy Centre that will use Dance Therapy, Art Therapy and Music Therapy to promote body mind centering and body wellness.

The Dance Therapy aspect will include the psychotherapeutic use of movement and dance through which a person can engage creatively in a process to further their emotional, cognitive, physical and social integration. This organization will also go out in the Jamaican community and hold educational workshops in schools, juvenile facilities and prisons to help with their rehabilitation.

YardEdge:  How would you describe the state of the dance world in Jamaica?

Stefanie: The growth within Jamaica’s dance world is simply phenomenal, as is evident in the varying Dance Companies and Dance forms that have emerged over the years. We are an undeniable people and undeniable talent!

YardEdge:  If you could be doing anything you wanted, what would that be?

Stefanie: I would probably be learning Dutch, French, German and Japanese. Traveling is also another interest.

YardEdge:  How have you developed your skill?

Stefanie: I recently completed my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance at the Manchester Metropolitan University, United Kingdom in July 2008 where I explored the practical and theoretic aspects of Dance. I also explored the creative elements of Choreography and Performance as well as the professional aspects of becoming a Dance Artist. I am also looking in to doing my MA in Dance Movement Therapy in the near future.

YardEdge:  Do you dance professionally? i.e. Get paid to dance? Do you want to?

Stefanie: Yes I dance professionally.

YardEdge:  What’s going on in your head when you’re performing?

Stefanie: I try to centre my mind and focus on the performance, the story being told, the commentary being relayed, the audiences’ possible interpretation of my movement and the theme of the piece.

YardEdge:  What makes you want to get up out of bed in the morning?

Stefanie: With the coming of each day I get to see…I am that much blessed.

YardEdge:  Final thoughts?

Stefanie: Don’t measure your life by others values. Search deep and find what makes you happy no matter how long it may take you to realize it. Live for you and let life in.

You can see Stefanie perform this Sunday, March 8 at the Jamaica Dance Umbrella at the Philip Sherlock Centre.

You can contact Stefanie via her email sdbelnavis@yahoo.com

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4 Comments

  1. December 31, 2009 at 4:42 pm — Reply

    […] 17.  Yardedge Talks to Jamaican Dancer/Choreographer Stefanie Belnavis […]

  2. […] Check out YardEdge’s interview with Stefanie Belnavis […]

  3. […] YardEdge talks to Stefanie Belnavis […]

  4. March 2, 2009 at 10:45 pm — Reply

    BRAVO to YE and Stephanie!!!!!! I LOVE this – thank you thank you thank you! And every one of her influences were SO on point. Can I say PINA BAUSCH PINA BAUSCH PINA BAUSCH!!! AND Akram Kahn – ahhhhhhh!! I just saw him and Juliette Binoche perform IN-I at the Nat’l Thtr in London the other day – PHENOMENAL! And Nina S, and the great Sylvie! Miss Stephanie Belnavis – you’ve got some SERIOUS taste of deep variety, and very clearly a thoughtful soul. I can’t wait to see you dance. Thanks for a great interview! You just made me want to get my ass in a dance studio right quick! lol

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