Kier Rondez is a well-known and talented choreographer from Labangon, Cebu City, Philippines. He offers some great advice for future choreographers and those wondering how to create dance moves.
What inspired you to pursue a career in choreography?
Being a choreographer is an exciting, creative and challenging career, with a varied work schedule and opportunities to perform and travel around the world. The roles and responsibilities of a choreographer depend on what area they specialize in, but there are some essentials like practicing dance, exploring new ideas and leading rehearsals. If you love to dance to choreographed routines, then this could be the ideal career for you
How do you approach creating a new dance piece from scratch?
There are several steps creating dance piece from scratch:
CONCEPTUALIZATION, CHOREOGRAPHY, MUSIC SELECTION, REHEARSAL, COSTUMING AND SET DESIGN, FEEDBACK AND REVISION AND PERFORMANCE. Following these steps to the final product is essential, otherwise the routine will be a disaster.
What are the key elements you focus on when choreographing a routine?
When choreographing a routine, I focus on several key elements:
CONCEPT, MUSIC, MOVEMENT VOCABULARY, SPATIAL DESIGN, DYNAMICS, TRANSITIONS AND EMOTIONAL EXPRESSIONS.
How do you adapt your choreography to suit the skill levels and styles of different dancers?
Adapting choreography to suit different dancers involves several strategies:
ASSESSMENT, MODIFICATION, LAYERING, COLLABORATION, TRAINING AND COACHING, ENCOURAGEMENT AND SUPPORT, FLEXIBILITY.
Can you describe a challenging project you’ve worked on and how you overcame the difficulties?
One challenging project I worked on involved choreographing a dance piece for a diverse group of dancers with varying skill levels and backgrounds. The main difficulty was creating choreography that would challenge the more experienced dancers while still being accessible to those with less experience. To overcome this challenge, I employed several strategies: INDIVIDUALIZED COACHING, LAYERED CHOREOGRAPHY, COLLABORATIVE PROCESS, REHEARSAL STRUCTURE, FEEDBACK AND COLLABORATION. By implementing these strategies and maintaining a positive and supportive atmosphere throughout the rehearsal process, we were able to overcome the challenges posed by the diverse skill levels and backgrounds of the dancers and create a successful and cohesive dance piece.
How do you stay motivated and creative, especially during times when you might feel uninspired?
Work with someone else: collaborating with someone — whether a colleague, friend, or family member, can help the creative process. It takes the pressure off you, and extra input could boost your creativity. Set deadlines: having a timeline for your project can help keep you on track and motivated.
What advice would you give to aspiring choreographers who want to make a mark in the dance industry?
For aspiring choreographers looking to make a mark in the dance industry, here is some advice to help you succeed:
1. Master Your Craft: Continuously work on improving your dance skills and knowledge of different dance styles. The more versatile you are, the more opportunities you will have.
2. Stay Inspired: Draw inspiration from various sources such as music, art, nature, and everyday life. Stay curious and open to new ideas to keep your creativity flowing.
3. Build a Network: Connect with other dancers, choreographers, and industry professionals. Networking can lead to collaborations, job opportunities, and exposure for your work.
4. Create Your Unique Style: Develop a signature style that sets you apart from others. Experiment with different movements, music genres, and themes to find your creative voice.
5. Be Persistent: The dance industry can be competitive and challenging. Stay determined, resilient, and keep pushing yourself even in the face of setbacks.
6. Seek Feedback: Be open to constructive criticism and feedback from mentors, peers, and audiences. Use feedback to grow and refine your choreography.
7. Promote Yourself: Utilize social media, dance platforms, and showcases to promote your work. Create a strong online presence and showcase your choreography through videos and performances.
8. Stay Updated: Keep up with current trends, events, and developments in the dance industry. Stay informed about opportunities for competitions, workshops, and performances.
9. Educate Yourself: Consider taking dance classes, workshops, and courses to enhance your skills and knowledge. Continuous learning is key to staying relevant and evolving as a choreographer.
10. Believe in Yourself: Have confidence in your abilities and believe in your vision as a choreographer. Trust your instincts and stay true to your artistic vision.
By following these tips and staying dedicated to your craft, you can increase your chances of making a mark in the dance industry and achieving your choreographic goals.
