Episode 4: Olivier Arseneault
Olivier’s advice to percussive dancers who are considering making the leap into improvisational dance: “Enjoy being bad. Enjoy going in and meeting the music face to face. One day, you’ll end up really, really comfortable in there. Don’t judge yourself. Just jump in and try to forget your steps.”
For those of you who want to check out some of the companies Olivier’s danced with, go to:
BIGICO I Gigue Contemporaine @ https://bigico.ca/
Zeugma Danse @ https://en.zeugmadanse.com/
For more information on the incidental music from Genticorum, check out their website @ https://www.genticorum.com/
Episode 3: Brianna Lizotte
“When you’re playing for a dancer, oh! There’s just something about the way. . . especially when it comes to partner dancing. . . if they just have good chemistry and they're dancing and having a great time, I get so inspired that while I’m playing I kind of match their energy through my bow . . . .”
Episode 2: Jackie O'Riley
#2 Jackie O’Riley
Dancer Jackie O’Riley talks about her approach to Irish dance, the current pandemic, and her involvement in the exciting project: “From the Floor.”
“It's often it's the least flashy thing that tends to be the most important. It's not big stage shows; it's not high-level competition. It's just the daily work of being part of this tradition. It's playing the tunes and dancing the steps with other people. And that's all that matters.”
Episode 1: Cormac Begley
#1 Cormac Begley
Irish musician and concertina player, Cormac Begley, talks about his family, cultural DNA, and his path to music.
“We haven't changed much in hundreds or thousands of years; we all still have the same emotional landscape. If you can connect to a tune now that was written a thousand years ago, that says to me that we haven't changed much. Technologically we might have developed or evolved or progressed but emotionally, we're still the same animals.”