News
Friday 13th, May, 2016
Dancer & Noisemoves organiser Carla Fazio discusses her career in Dance
Carla Fazio is a dancer and choreographer with an interest in sharing dance and movement with children and young people. She has been organising the NOISEmoves dance festival in the Civic Theatre in Tallaght since 2014. NOISEmoves aims to provide an opportunity for young people to showcase and share their dance talents, meet others with similar styles and learn more about different dance styles to encourage a greater participation in dance in South Dublin.
Can you tell us a little bit about your background in dance? Where & when did you start?
I started dancing when I was very young. My first dance experience was ballet classes at a local dance studio in Massachusetts (USA), where I grew up. I was introduced to modern/contemporary dance when I started my undergraduate degree and that has been my main focus ever since.
What made you want to dance, and to pursue it as a career?
Dancing has always felt natural to me. Throughout my school career, I constantly sought out dance related activities both through school and privately. I wasn't happy when I wasn't involved in a dance project, class, or event. That was when I realised that to be happy I had to figure out a way to keep dance as a part of my daily life, more than just a hobby. So, I decided to pursue it as a career.
Where did you study, and were you always interested in choreography or did your interest start in college?
I did my BA in Dance Performance at Rhode Island College which is located in Providence, Rhode Island (USA). I completed my MA in Dance Education from New York University in New York City. Training and working in New York was a fantastic experience, because of the vast range of dance opportunities that exist there. In addition to this, I have taken classes throughout the Northeast region of the States attending various dance festivals and classes. I think I always gravitated towards choreography and dance-making but only really started to learn the necessary techniques when I did my masters.
How did you get involved in dance education?
When I decided to make dance a career I knew I needed something that would support me financially as a dancer/choreographer. Teaching dance to children and young people made the most sense to me. I started teaching at local studios before moving to New York. Once I got started in my MA programme, I realised how much I actually enjoyed sharing dance/movement with children and young people, in particular to those who would not normally have a dance experience. One of the great things about moving to Dublin, is there are various populations that have not had a dance experience so I feel like I am fulfilling my vision.
What were your impressions from NOISEmoves 2016?
First off, I was so delighted to be organising the festival again. It is such a rewarding experience to watch the dance groups demonstrate all their hard work in a supportive and non-competitive environment. It's important to create a community atmosphere and culture while maintaining a professional standard. I think we achieved that again this year. The performers were amazing and were a great credit to their choreographers and families. The feedback from the participants was very positive. As always, the team was great and deserve special thanks for successfully solving a variety of challenges and putting on a fantastic show.
Any plans for NOISEmoves 2017?
Yes, we are hoping to have another festival in the Spring of 2017. I am hoping to advertise this over the summer and into the new school year so that we continue to build upon our success. I would also like to have ballet and tap represented next year in addition to the styles of dance we currently see. One of the unique aspects of NOISEmoves is the variety of dance that is showcased. I would also like to extend the festival format by offering more than 1 master dance class on the day of the performance so all performers can part take in that specific part of the programme. Most importantly, I hope the fantastic support from the Arts Council, the South Dublin Arts Office, the Civic Theatre and RUA RED continues so that we can give young people the opportunity to showcase their dance talents.
Do you have any tips or advice for young dancers aspiring to make a career in dance?
Yes. If you want dance to be more than a hobby for you, then pursue avenues to make that happen: attend classes of different styles of dance, attend workshops, intensives, and festivals, learn how to do something related to the field of dance like teaching, technical theater, or dance therapy. There is more than just performance and choreography but you might have to be creative. Keep attending auditions if you find yourself not getting roles and maintain your training and technique. I would encourage you to travel to find other dance opportunities as well. Lastly, if you want to make a career in dance, don't give up. You will find your niche.