Today is International Dance Day, and so the team over at NobodyAsked got some of Montreal’s most promising dancers together and teamed up with local photographer Dorothy aka puredomo, to capture this years groovy day. Specializing in a multitude of styles such as contemporary, hip-hop, and afro-house, these three dancers unveil exactly what dance means to them.
Trey Roach is 20 years old and despite working full-time, says that his training never stops. He is in the process of developing versatility in a number of different dance styles so that he can enhance his craft. “Consistency is key,” says Trey, “We can’t practice indoors? No problem, we’ll take it to the streets! Where dancing was made.
Dance means the integration of a flow, energy, style and a personal creativity span that is so above and beyond what we’re use to. Why’s its so important to me? It’s because dance creates and allows that liberty of movement and expressivity that we’re always searching for. It creates a certain type of feeling that we cannot replace, based upon how someone is able to transmit that message.”
To keep up with Trey, follow him here
Paul Alexander Dorsainvil is 20 years old and a student at Dawson College. As he works part-time, Paul is a part of two dance crews (@afrodojomtl and @gem.in.i.crew). Also an aspiring song writer, Paul says that his goal is to give back to his community.
“Dancing is a passion, dancing is therapy, and dancing is a way to express yourself–it’s a different form of communication. A lot of people might see it as just mere entertainment, but dancing is everything to me.
Dance is the center of my roots. How can I say this: it has became a part of me. Whatever I do, where I go, however I feel, dance is gonna be apart of it. It can be therapeutic, fun, professional, however you want to call it. It’s me. ” Says Paul.
To keep up with Paul Alexander, follow him here
Leah Danga is 20 years old and has been working as an Afro dance teacher at a high school for the past 3 years. She is also a hairdresser! (@locsbyleahh).
“Dancing is a huge part of my life and I’m privileged to be able to honour it every day. It’s challenging, and not everyone is lucky enough to make a living by doing what they love, so for that I’m grateful.
Dance is honestly my therapy, it is what makes me the most comfortable, where I feel most free. The fact that I’m able to share it with other people, alongside my friends is a huge blessing to me. If you took dance away from me, it would be like taking away a part of my happiness. I genuinely don’t see much joy without it.”
To keep up with Leah, follow her here
Trey, Leah, and Paul Alexander are all currently dancing with Afrodojo dance crew. These three dancers say that their goal is to spread knowledge bout Afro dance whilst enjoying what they love to do together. You can see these gems in their element by popping by to weekly, outdoor labs and cyphers. Visit @afrodojomtl for more information.
“We plan to get down this summer–because everywhere is a dojo,” says Trey.
International Dance Day serves as a day to truly recognize the value and importance of this art and sport form. A day for dancers to reflect on all the hard work and time they’ve put into perfecting their craft or even just simply doing their craft! It’s not always easy to find time and just let loose, engage in things that you love solely to enjoy it. Today can also serve as a day to call on bigger institutions that don’t value this medium for what it is, call on schools that try to strip this from the media, cities that are closing down studios etc.
It’s been a very interesting year for dance with a lot of choreographers opting to teach and hold classes online through zoom, Instagram lives or sites like Steezy. We encourage y’all to challenge yourselves by picking one of your favorites dancers and learning a routine! It can take you a day, it can take a year! Point is, let loose and have fun 🙂
Make sure to keep up with these amazing Montreal talents by following their Instagram, linked above.
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