Tuesday, December 18, 2012

An Interview with Yesid Lopez, PCDC Company Member

Here is an interview with Yesid Lopez, who proves to be quite the wordsmith. Read his beautiful thoughts about dancing, get to know the ballet/ salsa/ Tai Chi/ hip hop dancer/ choreographer.

And if you don't know what to get Yesid for Christmas this year, this might help (hint: the words "chocolate" and "pound cake" appear more than once in this interview).

 
Photo by Danielle Rutherford

THE BIO...

Yesid Lopez is originally from Colombia where he began his dance training in ballet. He received a scholarship from The School at Jacob´s Pillow in the jazz program in 2004 and 2006. Yesid has performed in Colombia, UK, Cuba, USA as a dancer and choreographer in latin, jazz and contemporary ballet styles and South Korea as a choreographer-featured dancer with Hanwha Resort in Sokcho City. In 2006, Yesid moved to New York where he received a full scholarship from STEPS on Broadway and was selected to be a member of the Steps Repertory Ensemble 2006-2008. As a choreographer Yesid has performed in different venues in the New York City Area and has received reviews in publications like Attitude The Dancers' Magazine, Ballet-Dance Magazine, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin and Dance Spirit. He has danced with Ballet Hispanico, works as a Ballroom Instructor and choreographer at Dance Times Square and DeMa Dance Company as a Co-Artistic Director and resident choreographer. This is Yesid first season with Peridance Contemporary Dance Company.
 
THE INTERVIEW...

Peridance Capezio Center A list of your favorite things (as many things as you can think of!)
Yesid Lopez Dance, mixed martial arts, movies, video games, gadgets, editing, choreographing, hugging, writing (wrote a book to someone very special), music, eating (especially chocolate chip pound cake), traveling... Dreaming


P.C.C. What is your first memory of performing?
Y.L. I was running across an Elementary School patio wearing a mask and a cape. I think I was 6 years old.

P.C.C. What is your favorite snack?
Y.L. Chocolate chip pound cake

P.C.C. What song is 'most played' on your ipod?
Y.L. The 4 seasons of Vivaldi I Allegro Non Molto (Winter).

P.C.C. Where do you go/what do you do in New York when you have a day off?

Y.L. I usually don't have a lot of time off. I am always doing some work. If I get some time off during the week, I would go for a walk to Central Park in the fall or eat some Colombian food in Queens. Maybe Rockaway Park Beach or a Latin concert at Jones Beach in the summer.

P.C.C. Do you have any favorite quotes/ words that you live by?
Y.L. "The brave one is not the one who doesn't have fear but the one who knows how to confront it"

P.C.C. What is your favorite thing about Peridance Contemporary Dance Company?
Y.L. Its soul. Full of the senses of all those relentless explorers of the unknown but sublime. Full of the beauty of limbs and sweat climbing through notes and unforgettable sounds with many hearts in one beat...

P.C.C. Do you have any experiences of the Nutcracker that you'd like to share?
Y.L. My first Nutcracker as a choreographer. With the Hostos Symphony Orchestra on stage at the Hostos Community Center in the Bronx, 2007. You can watch some of the dances at YouTube.com/user/yesidlopezcbt

P.C.C. What's your favorite Nutcracker moment?
Y.L. The Waltz of the Flowers. It takes me back to one of the most beautiful moments in my life.


And on that vague and alluring note, this interview will end. But see Yesid and the company perform in our upcoming PCDC season! This March! More details on our website.

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