We are thrilled about our first free virtual class offering coming up on October 24th at 2PM ET! Joining us to kick off this brand new WFDF offering is Gregory Dolbashian.
We got a wonderful opportunity to ask Greg some questions about being a performing artist, dancer and choreographer. Read on to learn more about this innovative and creative voice and leader in today’s world of dance.
What aspects about the art of dance inspired you to follow the path of a performing artist?
I’m really lucky to come from a family of artists. My mom is an opera singer and voice teacher and my father was a percussionist. So, growing up we were always encouraged toward creativity. Really lucky to have had that kind of support. I always got to grow up in New York City which was an amazing environment for culture and exposure.
What are some of the challenges you have experienced being a dancer and choreographer and how did you overcome them?
I think that one thing I have learned in all the time spent in pursuit of goals and ideas is that you have to maintain a good relationship with yourself. No matter what the obstacle or challenge is, no matter how many successes and failures, how you talk to yourself through it all, matters so much.
Pandemic and the lockdown of this year have been extremely challenging for all, and arts is not an exception. Can you tell us a bit about your experience and how you remained positive and creative during this time?
I’ll go back to family on this one. I’m lucky to have family and good people around me in my professional and personal circles. Trying to stay open and communicative with people, sharing ups and downs and uncertainties, trying to work through frustrations with people I trust. In a time of isolation, I’ve been lucky to not have to take it all on alone and I’ve tried to be super conscious of returning this support in my treatment of others too. I probably don’t always succeed but its definitely something that has helped keep me grounded during this time.
Do you have any projects, works in progress that you would like our audience to know about and follow?
We just released a very cool short film project with The Mobile Dance Film Festival. The film is titled Side by Side and it was created in tandem between The DASH Ensemble and DASH Academy artists. The film can be accessed through our website thedashensemble.org
Last but not least, If you could meet any dancer or choreographer, dead or alive, who would it be and why? This is probably a little cliche but I would love to spend some time with Fred Astaire.