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Burgess talks about his experiences blending Eastern and Western aesthetics in dance.
What inspired you to become a dancer?
My parents enrolled me in martial arts classes from age eight to sixteen. So,
I came to dance a little bit later, but I was completely excited about the ability
to move and then see a codified structure that could guide me through the process
of finding a movement lexicon that I could express with.
What are some of the things you have learned, and told your students?
Unless you understand the world outside of the dance studio, and the full range
of emotions that occur there, and you’re able to bring them back into the studio
and portray them on stage, then you haven’t become a three-dimensional dancer.
You’re not really approaching your full potential.
Any general advice to a beginning dancer?
There should be moments of extreme happiness and joy for actually moving. Remember
to enjoy some moment or to congratulate oneself for having gotten through another
class. You may not have gotten all of the steps, but it doesn’t really matter
because each class is a rite of passage. Dance is a complete journey. Beginning
that path, and knowing that you’ll be on that journey for the rest of your life,
should be extremely satisfying.
Could you speak specifically to the boy who’s starting to dance?
I think that student should feel extreme pride in what they’re doing. The more
courage they exhibit because of their love for movement, the more individuals
will just fall away who aren’t supportive of that. Dance is very athletic. It’s
just like being in the Olympics. You’re asked to do so many things. I had times
when people would tease me. But those things fall away, and your commitment
continues to push your hopes and dreams to the top.
ABOUT THE ARTIST: Burgess is an award winning dancer and choreographer who creates dances that synthesize Eastern and Western aesthetics. His awards include the Mayor's Arts Award in 1994, and two D.C. Metro Dance awards in 2002. He has served as an American Cultural Specialist for the State Department in 2001, 2003, and 2004.
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