Maya Taylor on LDIF 2015 and Beyond
We’ve recently interviewed Maya Taylor who will be performing at this year’s launch! Read below for everything you need to know about her performance at LDIF 2015 and more!
1. Is this your first time in the UK performing?If so, what do you expect? Are you looking forward to performing to a new audience in the UK?
This is my first time performing in the UK. I am absolutely thrilled and cannot wait to arrive in Leicester for the festival. Anytime I perform in front of a new audience, I get beautiful butterflies right before I am about to step on the stage. This performance is special for me. It’s my first time presenting my work to an international audience.
2. Are you excited to be performing at the launch this year on the International Day of Dance?
Absolutely. I am really excited about the opportunity to perform, but even more excited to create an original work for the launch.
Any day that we celebrate dance is beautiful. But an International Day of Dance moves us to build new audiences and to give the art the respect it deserves.
3. Can you talk to us about your performance at the launch, what it portrays? What it means to you?
My solo portrays the journey of finding life again after a traumatic event. It will explore all of the contrasting emotions of isolation, heartbreak, confusion and the quest to find understanding after losing someone significant.
I wouldn’t be a dancer without my mother’s influence.
While my performance won’t be a step-by-step narrative of my experience with losing her, it will expose the vulnerability and the strength that it takes to decide to move forward.
4. For the performance at City Rooms, you are dancing to an original piece of music by Dustin Gledhill. Can you describe the music to us and how does it relate to your dance? How did this music become part of your performance?
For my performance, I knew that I wanted something very dramatic and intricate in sound. A piece of music that represents a world of emotions through each of the movements.
I met Dustin through the Marigny Opera House in New Orleans, Louisiana where we both presented works this year. We spoke about my ideas for Under a Glass Bell and realized that we both shared the experience of losing someone who greatly inspired our lives.
My mother took me to a rose garden once when she was ill. We sat next to these blooming flowers and we laughed and we cried. We laughed and we cried about how funny life was. To this day it is one of the most vivid memories I have of her.
I told this story to Dustin and from there he created a beautiful elegy. One that I think really captures what my performance portrays.
5. What were your biggest influences growing up whilst trying to become a professional dancer?
I trained at The Ailey School in New York City so many of my influences were the dancers in the company: Matthew Rushing, Hope Boykin, and Linda Celeste Sims.
Three power houses. Three artists who also have incredible work ethic. To be able to see them in class and perform regularly was a priceless experience during my training.
Later, as I began exploring different styles of modern and contemporary, Angelin Preljocaj, Jiri Kylian, and Pina Bausch influenced me. And when I began choreographing, the works of Julie Bour, Brice Mousset, Wayne McGregor, and Sol Leon and Paul Lightfoot influenced me.
6. What advice would you give to anyone wanting to be a professional dancer like yourself?
Great question. If you want to become a professional dancer there are a few tools to have in your arsenal…
Ask questions. Find the style of dance you love and work hard to perfect your technique. But don’t limit yourself to one style your entire career, study lots of genres. This will help influence your technique and artistry as you perform.
Every teacher and choreographer is different so be prepared to adapt quickly. Details matter.
Understand that corrections are given to make you better, not break you down. Never feel like you’re too good to receive corrections. Besides your artistry and technique, this will make you an asset to any choreographer.
Take risks and reach out to people you admire. If you take a master class, workshop, or audition don’t be afraid to introduce yourself, say thank you, and follow up shortly after. The world is about building relationships and the best place to start is right when you walk in the door.
Finally, rejection is ok. You are going to face a lot of rejection and criticism as you embark on your career. It is how you deal with both that really speaks to what kind of artist you will become.
7. What’s next for you after LDIF? Any new projects?
After LDIF, I will return to the States and begin working on a screen dance of Under a Glass Bell. We have beautiful scenery in New Orleans and I’m really interested in creating films of my work. This summer, I’ll also be spending two weeks teaching and choreographing at Perry Mansfield in Springboat Springs, Colorado. It’s a wonderful performing arts camp that has been around for 102 years! After that, I will begin working on a new full-length piece with the Marigny Opera House Dance Company for their second season.