This week, our VCC/AU Dance Diploma Program dancers have been at The Banff Centre attending the Hofesh Schecter Company Intensive. They have had the opportunity to work very closely with some of the members of Hofesh Schecter’s company, learning excerpts from “Sun”, “Barbarians”, and “Political Mother”.

“Each of these pieces are their own world of complexity, dynamics, energy changes, and extreme physicality,” says AU dancer Sabine Raskin, “They carry the essence of where they come from and what they stand for.”

In morning classes, the Grads have explored the idea of letting their bodies and instincts take over and drive their movement. They have played with stripping down technique, and letting animalistic features and humanity shine through with honesty.

They have also enjoyed meeting the other dancers in the program who have come from around the world. Says AU dancer Haley Heckethorn, “The company members have taught us that one of the most important things is to do all of this for yourself, to enjoy the people you’re with, to have fun, and to grow all the time.”

Working with people of such a high caliber of work has reminded our dancers of why they do the work themselves; it has shown them that connecting to a sense of fun can still bring us all to a place of excellence.