Take the Moment to Remember. Take this Moment to Love.

Tags

art, Ballet, changes, contemporary ballet, contemporary dance, faith, humanity, inspiration, lessons learned, life, me, modern dance, observations, truth

I picked up my phone last night to find a text from a very dear student of mine whom I have a very special place in my heart. He has become a truly amazing individual both as a human being as well as an artist thriving in the world. When I read his text I had to catch my breath for a moment and remember to be forever grateful for this incredible life I have been gifted.

Perhaps I was especially moved due to attending graduation this weekend as well. I looked at the faces of some of the most talented individuals one could know and marveled at their strength and their courage to set out in the world to follow their bliss. There they are at the precipice of forever and boldly moving forward to say “yes, I can do this!”. And boy, can they.

I am so proud of the students who go through our program. I am so lucky to be a part of their journey as well as to do so with the colleagues that I have. We work as a team to encourage and foster their skills and abilities as no one person can do such thing alone. Another remarkable opportunity to engage with colleagues that continue to teach me as well.

When I look through my feed on Facebook and see the tremendous achievements our students have I am astounded by the incredible changes they are making in the world and how much light and love they are bringing through the paths they have decided to take. Their success is not always in dance but in the work they choose to do that they come to through dance. Some of the successes are profound and are having an an amazing ripple effect in this world. There they are standing in the face of these turbulent times and they are solid, steadfast and brilliantly shining a light in the dark. I so marvel at their bravery and their hearts. Yes, all of their hearts.

This always reminds me that regardless of what somebody ends up doing or decides to do, the following of their hearts is the only success that truly matters. And I honestly believe that a degree in dance helps you to realize your bliss because not only does it train you to be able to do incredible things with your body, it fosters resiliency of the heart in addition to having the super power of creatively seeing the world to solve its problems. Yes, these dancing students are not civilians, they are super hero’s making their way in the world and a better place for all of us in it.

So when a text comes to saying they are thinking of me and that they love me, I am reminded to keep on loving. Even in the times when I am exhausted from fighting to share what it is I know or wondering if the information I have is relevant, I need to tell myself to hush up. Those issues are my insecurities. The love of what I do is worth the fight. The love learned through the art form is worth the fight. And yes, I am continually evolving so the work is more relevant than ever. So hush up. Look at all these brilliant students standing in the light and waving the sword of brilliance. If they can do it, the least you can do is reflect them and honor them and do it to. Be as good as you can so that perhaps they might be as proud of you as you are them.

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Lifting Lines/Morphing Visions: Autumn 5

Tags

acceptance, allowing, art, artist, Ballet, becoming, choreographer, choreography, contemporary dance, Courageous Vulnerability, Creative Flow, creative process, Creativity, Dance, modern dance, natural, natural beauty, nature, organic, process, wabi sabi

Of all the work I have created, nothing can compare to the majesty of natures creations. What comes from the flow of energetic creative cultivation can not come close to the magnificence of the natural and loving world. There is a timeless and universal beauty that is without comparison to what can be made of the human body.

Let us also not get caught in the confines of our ego as we participate in the creative process. Let us share in the joy of this kind of blissful flow without finding ourselves attaching our ego to the birth of that which we shape. We should not hold this ephemeral beauty hostage. Work needs to be set free just like the human spirit.

In the moment of unconditional sharing, this is the time when our work and its unique vibration of being is the closest it can get to the beauty within nature. This is the moment when the works speaks directly the the human heart which is the direct line to the nature of humanity and its link to the organic compounds of the universe itself.

And So It Begins

Tags

art, athens, Ballet, Believing, bliss, body, body knowledge, conscious body, Conscious Living, contemporary ballet, Creative Flow, creative process, Creativity, Dance, development, dreams, EBAS, Energy, faith, modern dance, Paris, research, travel, VCU Dance

As I finish up my last day here in RIC for a while, I am profoundly grateful for the opportunities that are opening up before me. Thankful for the freedom to move about the world and share my work and passions with people from all over the globe. I marvel at what dance has done for my life and for how it has carried me to places that I could have never dreamed of as a young man.

As a matter of fact, I had no clue I was a dancer. No clue that I would end up where I am creating three dimensional visceral landscapes, teaching how to create internal space and design external realities or bringing consciousness to the energetic pathways of our technique. I often wonder how I turned down this road.

Yet, I am on this journey. Happily and gratefully on this journey.

This trip to Athens is to present my perspective on teaching by sharing my  research, Training a Conscious Body: Redefining Pedagogy Practices in Contemporary Dance Technique for Increased Architectural Support and Physical Integrity. I am excited to share these examinations and talk about learning through sensation rather than imitation and the reexamining of time within the classroom.

The travel that follows will be to teach and to collaborate on the Paris Semester Abroad program for our students at VCU to take part in Spring 2016. I am excited to meet up with Michael Foley as well as Colleen Thomas-Young to share and organize all of this goodness. What amazing people to walk that journey with. Very grateful to Michael for his brilliance.

In addition, I will be meeting up with my dear friends Keith Bell and Josh Sessions to have a writing retreat. Both myself and Keith are working on books and we are going to spend our time writing in the cafes for even greater inspiration. A little fantasy come true I guess.

And one of the most synchronistic events will be having breakfast with Linda Kohanov. I have long admired her research and work with horses and had the luxury of participating in one of her leadership workshops this spring. She is an inspiration to me and I am tickled to be able to meet with her and hear her stories of the wonderful sharing she is doing with her work and the release of her book Power of the Herd in French.

I am truly grateful!!

And so, this begins the journey.

Amaranth Arts Fall 2014 Season

Tags

Ballet, Believing, choreography, compassion, contemporary dance, Courageous Vulnerability, Dance, gratitude, love, Modern, modern dance, Teaching, thankful, universal heart

Reaching out across space and time in support of Amaranth Arts and the beautiful fall season of sharing exquisite dance work to the Richmond and Denver Audiences. Please consider a small gift in support of the arts and sharing of that work by mentorship. Even more important, please join us at the performance of Falling Back to Grace at the Grace Street Theatre September 11-13, 2014 in Richmond, VA.

Please feel free to spread the word and the love!!!

Gratitude and light,

Scott

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/amaranth-arts-2014-fall-season/x/8298622

EBAS Pondering

Tags

alignment, Ballet, contemporary dance, Dance, Modern, modern dance, spirit, well being

Knowing how to artfully and gracefully fall through space, one becomes more aware of the value of the stillness of standing tall. When we honor the rising and falling energy of our center line we are able to appreciate the magnitude of place. Simplicity of standing is the dynamic springboard for expressing the poetic heart.

Misplaced Bag

Tags

Believing, Conscious Living, contemporary dance, courage, Courageous Vulnerability, Creative Flow, Creativity, Dance, Energy, heart path, journey, Magic, Mindful Action, modern dance, Teaching, universal consciousness, universal heart

I made it to Paris with only one hitch. My bag somehow took a flight to Charlotte instead of Philly with me. As I was the last one standing at CDG, I soon realized I had an issue. All my clothes and toiletries were still in the states as I stood at carousel 3 waiting for my bag. Calmly. I waited.

I then went to the baggage claim area attendant to make a report and file the missing luggage. This was when I was told that someone in Richmond put my bag on a plane to where I was not. Isn’t that against TSA regulations? I digress.

Anyway, on a positive note, I only had my bags on my shoulders to carry on the RER and Metro to find my apartment. So I started my journey a little lighter than expected. The good thing was that if all went well, someone would hand deliver my outfits,  unmentionables and toiletries directly to my door. Yet, I admit I was nervous that there was no real way to contact me and since I was staying in an apartment rather than a hotel, it would be a little more difficult to actually get the bad delivered.

At present I sit waiting in my apartment. I do know the bag made it to Paris and is supposedly on its way to being delivered. I have stayed at the apartment save the time I went out shopping for coffee, breakfast goodies and a few other nash items. Still no word or call. They do have the land line, but I know they didn’t call while I was gone as there were no messages left and no record of incoming calls.

The rest of the day has been full of classical music wafting throughout the apartment with much writing and reading on my part. I have been forced to take a day of quiet contemplation and rest. Much needed rest and much desired quiet time as well. I often forget how much I like quiet and alone time. As I mentioned before in my writing, I do like embracing my introvert behaviors and often do not honor them enough. Clearly someone at RIC decided I needed to get reacquainted with that part of myself.

None the less, I am here and in perfect bliss. Staying in an apartment in the 3rd Arr. in Paris while I have time to think and to expand my current understanding of time, I am in a Scott heaven. It is so nice to be back here and in a place that is congruent with my pace of life and with the workings and wirings of my being.

I am often in a position where I question myself within the confines of my culture and feel as if the way in which my brain works, I process, and desire to walk the path of my life is somehow not as good as others. Yes, I often feel as if the way in which I am put together is oddly enough not acknowledged or honored.

Living a non-western life within a western culture is a little difficult at times. Being an introvert in an extrovert world is also challenging as introverts are seldom recognized for their thought process or quiet and contemplative ways. As if it wasn’t enough being a second class citizen who is a dancer and gay at that. Adding up all the marks against me I often wonder why I haven’t given up all together?

Yet, I know the answer to that. I do. I realize that I am making choices in my life that are right for me. I have taken the heat for it over and over again, but still make the choices that are congruent with my heart speak. In doing so, one is often labeled as the mean one or the one who speaks out when he shouldn’t. Even though it needs to be said and everyone knows it, still the ass for saying it. Which is also odd being that I prefer not to speak in the first place. I hate public speaking.

But is it any wonder that I prefer the art of dance where I do not have to speak in public at all? Not at all. I like the abstract world of contemporary imagistic ephemeral moments that take people deep within their own reality to suggest questions that sometimes do not get asked. Yes, I like to pose a question without speaking words but by merely crafting an image to plant the seed of thought. Even if it needs attending to or gets trampled on, I like that way of communicating the best.

And now that I have found the confidence to share my thoughts and ideas through words, it is no wonder that the words are on a page or screen that still keep me at a safe distance in a way that allows a reader to absorb it in the ways in which are best or most appropriate for them. I am finding that communicating in this form is helping me to find the right ways in which to read a different audience than a dance audience. As well as it helps me to even crystalize and create my three dimensional story telling in space.

I have always had a dream that I whispered to the universe of wanting to write a book. And this I am doing. It is taking me time, but I write daily the meanderings of my thoughts on technique and choreography. They are not traditional thoughts by any means. They are rooted in very eastern practices with clearly more unique ways of attending to the art of listening to the process rather than manufacturing a product. I am embracing this as I have embraced the time a lost bag can help a lost heart.

 

Palermo Palermo

Tags

Ballet, breaking down walls, choreography, culture, Dance, modern dance, opening, pina bausch, seeing as we need, society, space, spirit, time

A wall crumbles breaking down barriers and opening space so as to reveal what we are unable to reveal on our own terms. I am washed over and over and over with imagery smothered by layer upon layer of expression. I am not smothered in the sense that I can no longer breathe, but it is a complete immersion as if to encourage more deep and heartfelt breathes so as to understand the plight of humanity. We require time that no longer is encouraged in our culture and by being lovingly forced to expand my own boundaries of space and time, I am able to participate in the artistic adventure of the soul as its evolution “holds my hand’, “hugs me”, “kisses me”, and fills my breath with a new perspective of my own participation in this very life. 

I was reminded how important it is for myself as a choreographer to express the desires I hear from the work and to allow myself time for the evolution of my own work and expression of my own voice. We culturally get caught up on trying to make work that is like others and unlike ourselves. Tonights inspiration is a reminder to “make the work that speaks from your heart”. This was my gift of many this evening. One of many that will reveal themselves on this path of Paris.

b

Lost Language of Space

Tags

Ballet, Believing, choreography, Conscious Living, contemporary dance, courage, Courageous Vulnerability, Creative Flow, Dance, Energy, heart, heart path, journey, joy, light, love, Modern, modern dance, Soul to Soul, spirit, spirituality, universal consciousness, universal heart

There is a language lost inside the chaos of contradictory images of space and time. We are a drift in a time of dissolution. Floating aimlessly amidst the sea of “noise” that drowns out the voice of spirit and truth for the survival of the human spirit. Now, more than ever, is there a need for the investigation and cultivation of the quiet. A pressing need to find the distilled reason for being. I can think of no better time than the present to question personal behavior and claim a responsibility for ourselves and our spirit. No better time to accept our own role as the leader and director of our life and lively hood. It is too late for blame. It is too late to wait around for someone or something to bail us out. It is we who should help ourselves in order to help those we love, along with the things we love to do, thus allowing us to fulfill our spirit and bring us joy. It is important to embark on a journey in which we meander our personal labyrinth to sift through the chaos. It is important for us to press what does not matter away from the center of our beings. Chaos has cluttered the space around us and the space within us is collapsing. Fill the space within with an energy and light that will allow for an expansion of the spirit. Allow the space to be a sanctuary and sacred space for you to be; safe and flowing with the freedom for the mind and central nervous system to speak clearly to the body for healing and well-being. As we create space within, the space without will be created. When we find the space to live, we will find the space to listen. When we find the time to listen, we will hear the lost voice of our soul and start living the life that is ours. Finally we will find freedom to live the life that our spirit has been trying to live since the day we were born. This is freedom. This is the desire of the heart.

 

Accepting the Right to Wave the Wand

Tags

acceptance, Ballet, Believing, choreography, Conscious Living, contemporary dance, courage, Courageous Vulnerability, Creative Flow, Creativity, Dance, Energy, faith, heart, heart path, journey, Mindful Action, Modern, modern dance, Seeing, Soul to Soul, spirit, universal heart, Vulnerable

Perhaps it is time to acknowledge once again the vibrations of my being. I admitted to myself that I am a healer and that in doing so I accepted myself as a being healing both body and soul through the art of dance. This past year has been transformative in ways that I could not have possibly imagined. Ironically, one of the biggest people who have transformed from this shift in conscious acceptance has been me.

The year has been a journey, but the year is now in the past and I stand at a present fork in the road. The choice is to move forward adding to or to move around and circle back. As I face this choice, I realize I must move forward. To accept myself, as just a healer is not the complete fully vibrational being I am. I know there is much missing; much left undone and undiscovered.

What is speaking to me in this moment of choosing is the creative heart. I have been very prolific this year, yes. However, I have not fully realized the wealth of this stream. I have waded, but I have not immersed myself fully and let the currents of this universal creative flow carry me. The choice to make is to travel the path of the river flowing towards the vast ocean of creative wonder and ultimately creative surrender.

I realize that being a healer and acknowledging myself and my gifts in this arena was more a journey of healing myself. I am figuring that out now and will continue to heal others and myself through movement as I add in another claim. I was given a name not too long ago that brought much light and laughter but in really looking at it, the universe is nudging me to accept my name in the role at which I need to embrace. Now, I have chosen to absorb the identity that was gently whispered making the two parts of my being whole.

The path I choose is to float with faith as a healing wizard. An enchanted being healing and crating with magic and wonder. It is time to be bold in my artistic statements letting the vision create transformative enchanted landscapes by the light of the stars. This is but a development of a healer and an expansion of the creative voice no longer fearing the clamoring of the doubtful and fearful crowd.

What magic will be revealed as the healing and kinetic spells are cast? This is the right of waving the creative wand.

Shaping and Framing

Tags

Ballet, choreography, Conscious Living, contemporary dance, courage, Dance, EBAS, Energy, joy, Modern, modern dance, Teaching, universal heart

Suspended points in space framing the blue

Shaping the circumference

 

The relationship of the internal referencing the vast

Experiencing the divine

 

It is not for the body to know more than it feels

Simplicity in the act of a movement

 

Bringing the mind into consciousness

Seeing things as they are

 

Comprehending limitless possibilities

Presented by potential space

 

It is not a mistake that we move to be moved

Unconditional joy in being