Artist of the Week
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Artist: Jo Elisabeth
Artform: Dancer What do you do and what are your main focuses? I am a freelance dancer and model working in the UK and worldwide. I enjoy performing most styles of dance but focus mainly on contemporary ballet. Also, I am a stilt walker and fire artist. As a model I am involved in photoshoots, tv, film but mostly catwalk shows. Where have you studied? Along-side my local dance school classes, I attended Birmingham Royal Ballet Associates until starting my full-time training at the age of 13 at Tring Park (formally 'The Arts Educational School') where I studied an array of dance styles, acting and singing. Then I went onto study at Rambert School where I gained a BA(Hons) in Ballet and Contemporary Dance. |
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Tell us a bit about 'Ghost'.
While dancing with The London Ballet Company I had the opportunity to perform a piece called Ghost, choreographed by Rose Alice Larking (Artistic Director, Choreographer and Dancer at International Arts Collective). This is a 15 minute piece about the afterlife experience of tormented women who have died during war, coming to terms with death and helping each other to move on.
"A single soul trapped in between what was and what will be.
The comfort of a friend who accepted her existence, is no more.
Fury comes from being used, treated like a ghost even in life.
The struggle is real, the pain, angst and anger are not.
Weightless, free, insignificant, yet forever remembered, a place into which you disappear’’
While dancing with The London Ballet Company I had the opportunity to perform a piece called Ghost, choreographed by Rose Alice Larking (Artistic Director, Choreographer and Dancer at International Arts Collective). This is a 15 minute piece about the afterlife experience of tormented women who have died during war, coming to terms with death and helping each other to move on.
"A single soul trapped in between what was and what will be.
The comfort of a friend who accepted her existence, is no more.
Fury comes from being used, treated like a ghost even in life.
The struggle is real, the pain, angst and anger are not.
Weightless, free, insignificant, yet forever remembered, a place into which you disappear’’
Photo Credit: Margarita Lievano
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Rambert School
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Basement Jaxx, Koko
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This piece was both physically and emotionally exhausting but that is why I loved performing it. I love being pushed to my limits and seeing what my body is capable of.
Rose is inspiring to see work as she manages to draw out the best from her dancers as well as being a phenomenal dancer herself. Rose moves in such a unique way which was hard for a lot of us to get to grips with at first but through exploring the movement with her it then became more natural. Not only did we simply learn the choreography but we learnt the meaning and purpose behind each movement. This meant that we could go on an emotional journey whilst performing this piece. I opened the first scene of Ghost with a solo and then I gradually was joined by the rest of the dancers on stage, which set the scene of the women coming together. There was a real sense of togetherness with my fellow dancers that we were all on the same journey. Rose’s choreography gave us a freedom in which to tell our story. The dancers and the choreography, accompanied by the intense and emotional music made this piece my favourite to be a part of. Even as I watch it back on videos I get stirred up. It’s an experience I will never forget.
Rose is inspiring to see work as she manages to draw out the best from her dancers as well as being a phenomenal dancer herself. Rose moves in such a unique way which was hard for a lot of us to get to grips with at first but through exploring the movement with her it then became more natural. Not only did we simply learn the choreography but we learnt the meaning and purpose behind each movement. This meant that we could go on an emotional journey whilst performing this piece. I opened the first scene of Ghost with a solo and then I gradually was joined by the rest of the dancers on stage, which set the scene of the women coming together. There was a real sense of togetherness with my fellow dancers that we were all on the same journey. Rose’s choreography gave us a freedom in which to tell our story. The dancers and the choreography, accompanied by the intense and emotional music made this piece my favourite to be a part of. Even as I watch it back on videos I get stirred up. It’s an experience I will never forget.
Why do you dance?
I feel like I have been dancing longer than I could walk - I would literally crawl in to my sister’s dance classes as a baby.
It’s such a big a part of me. I am not the best conversationalist and often dread the thought of public speaking (unless maybe if it were scripted), but dance just feels right. I can often sit in silence but never sit still! Dance gives me an escape from my own thoughts and is my way of expressing myself. I never feel uncomfortable dancing on stage…it is my happy place.
I feel like I have been dancing longer than I could walk - I would literally crawl in to my sister’s dance classes as a baby.
It’s such a big a part of me. I am not the best conversationalist and often dread the thought of public speaking (unless maybe if it were scripted), but dance just feels right. I can often sit in silence but never sit still! Dance gives me an escape from my own thoughts and is my way of expressing myself. I never feel uncomfortable dancing on stage…it is my happy place.
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Who are you influenced by?
Music! Music drives me. Sometimes I hear a piece of music and can’t help but move to it…even if there is no space around me, I dance on the inside. No choreography needed I just go. What excites you about the art world today? What’s really exciting is that the arts are reaching more and more people. It is not reserved for the privileged people that can afford a ticket to the latest show. We are taking art out into communities and people are opening up to its worth in everyday life. Art is everywhere and it’s bringing people together that may never have come together otherwise. |
Divine Company
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What is the most exciting thing you have done to date?
This is a hard one as there are so many jobs that I have loved. I often get to travel to amazing places and perform in spectacular venues. I could reel off a list of performances that have been in awe inspiring places like on top of a mountain in Capri, a Castle in Prague or a Yacht off the coast of Greece and each one would be as exciting as the last… But for me its always the most exciting when a whole performance comes together and it doesn’t really matter where you are or who’s watching. It matters that you believe in the piece you have created or are performing and you FEEL it. When you don’t have to think about the steps because you are a part of that piece.
The audience is often a big factor in the excitement as well. It doesn’t matter who it is or how many. It matters that you can feel their energy and excitement and you can’t help but feed from it. One time I really felt this was performing with Basement Jaxx at the 02 arena. The crowd was electric!
This is a hard one as there are so many jobs that I have loved. I often get to travel to amazing places and perform in spectacular venues. I could reel off a list of performances that have been in awe inspiring places like on top of a mountain in Capri, a Castle in Prague or a Yacht off the coast of Greece and each one would be as exciting as the last… But for me its always the most exciting when a whole performance comes together and it doesn’t really matter where you are or who’s watching. It matters that you believe in the piece you have created or are performing and you FEEL it. When you don’t have to think about the steps because you are a part of that piece.
The audience is often a big factor in the excitement as well. It doesn’t matter who it is or how many. It matters that you can feel their energy and excitement and you can’t help but feed from it. One time I really felt this was performing with Basement Jaxx at the 02 arena. The crowd was electric!
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What is more important, talent or hard work?
God given talent is always great to have but if you don’t work hard and put your talent out there it is completely useless! I certainly wouldn’t have a career in dance if I hadn’t trained hard and worked at it. What advice would you give to anyone wanting to become a dancer? You have to love it! Whether you are completely freelance or work contract to contract, you are always looking for your next job and from my experience, however successful you are, you never feel completely settled. Its exhausting balancing class, work, auditions etc. It requires a lot of work, but if you love it...none of that matters…It’s all worth it! Enjoy every day you get to dance because being a dancer is seldom a life long career. You often find yourself doing things you never imagined. Get involved and embrace these things - don’t dwell on the fact its not part of what you envisioned for your life. You never know what these extra experiences could lead to. |
Anything interesting coming up soon?
I am planning a trip with some lovely dancers this summer to visit Uganda. We plan to teach some workshops in schools, orphanages and local communities. We also have some performances planned with the children and local dancers there. I can’t wait to share dance with a whole new group of people and learn new styles myself.
I am planning a trip with some lovely dancers this summer to visit Uganda. We plan to teach some workshops in schools, orphanages and local communities. We also have some performances planned with the children and local dancers there. I can’t wait to share dance with a whole new group of people and learn new styles myself.
