Fernando Melo x GroovyDancy
-You are a great choreographer, creating works all over the world. How did you develop your artistry?
I had the privilege to start choreographing at a very young age. Already in my teens, I would jump on any opportunity I was given to create. I was also blessed with a scholarship to finish my dance studies in Vienna (I am originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). This was a game changer as, whilst dancing in Europe, I was able to perform in the works of some the most renown choreographers and see lots of amazing performances and companies.
-Where does your passion for dance come from?
I started dancing when I was 8 years old. I, therefore don’t really remember where it all started. One things hasn’t changed though: I simply loved (and still love) going to the theater and being moved. Perhaps for this reason I have this immense passion for theater making.
-You have created so many beautiful and diverse pieces. How do you feed your creativity?
By maintaining a creative practice. This is the moment where I search, research, watch, read, listen. I also spend a lot of time deconstructing the thinking behind works of art that I love and try, the best way I can, to emulate them.
-What do you appreciate the most in dancers working for you?
Openness to try new things, curiosity, dedication and joyfulness. — it can be a true joy to create a work of art together and to make discoveries that will move audiences.
-What fascinates you the most about creating a new piece every time?
The prospect of exploring ideas, discovering images that I couldn’t have possibly imagined myself and sharing that with new audiences.
-How do you work during a new creation?
It’s all about trial and error. It begins with a process of exhausting possibilities. I arrive in the studio with many ideas that need to be experimented with. Through a collaborative process the dancers and I create as many sketches of these ideas as possible. Later, we make a selection of the sketches that best achieve our concept and are most coherent. We then work hard on transforming these sketches into scenes, build transitions, etc. The work tends to gain a life of its own when we surrender to this kind of creative process.
-How important is the process of improvisation as individual practice?
Improvisation is a very effective tool for discoveries. We use it a lot during the exploration process I described above. I improvise all the time.
-What do you think are important qualities for a dancer today?
Knowledge about art, dance and being human. Generosity. Being able to work in a group and lots and lots of creativity.
-How do you deal with bad or not inspiring days?
I try to focus on the big picture, on the importance of what we do and on the joy that creating works of dance and theater can bring to all participants and audiences.
-You are a freelancer. What does it mean? What are the advantages of it?
I think that the main advantage is that I have the privilege to be invited as a guest to institutions that support me developing a vision with dancers, budget, technical support etc.
-Is there something you would like to change or challenge in the current dance world?
Unfortunately there is an issue with funding in the dance world/market. It is a vast subject but to sum it up here from my subjective point of view: “dance that sells tickets” usually tend to get the most funding. This makes developing the art form a difficult journey. It is something that needs to be overcome with lots of creativity and commitment from artists.
-Why is dance important in our society?
There is something about going to the theater and observing another human being. I really believe that what we do is important and that it has a meaningful role in society. Because something happens when we observe another human being. When we step into another persons shoes for a period of time. If you can exercise how it feels to be someone else, you are exercising empathy. This is the basis of ethics. The more you empathize with someone the less you are capable of hurting someone, the more tolerant you become. The more you accept a different view or perspective on things.
-Can you give advice to young dancers?
If I could meet my 20 year old self I would probably tell him:
1: Maintain a daily practice: a daily routine of paying attention to the areas where you have set your intentions. Something you do everyday that gets you closer to your goals.
2: Find your Why: your Why is the driving force behind everything you do. The reason you wake up in the morning. What brings you fulfillment. A sense of purpose to what you do. If we want to feel an undying passion for our work, if we want to feel we are contributing to something bigger than ourselves it is import to know Why and to put it into words.