Interview with PROJECT Dance of Michigan (Part TWO)

Innovation and Dance are Alive and Well in Michigan!

PART TWO of my Interview with Kathy King and company of PROJECT Dance of Michigan

Link to PART ONE of Interview

This is part two of my interview with Kathy King and her crew of PROJECT Dance of Michigan, an innovative, new dance company that is seeking to expand the senses and cultural experiences of Michigan through dance, including dance classes, amazing performances, and charity and other social outreach efforts. For them, it’s not about money. It’s about dance, creativity and offering up a delectable cultural feast for their community as well as giving young dancers hope for the future and the opportunity to succeed.

This interview has been presented in two parts. This is part two. All photos in both parts, courtesy of Kathy King, were taken by photographer George Petersmarck (www.georgepetersmarck.com). Please do not copy them or this article without my AND Kathy King's express permission.

I was very impressed with this group, and not just because of the images I was seeing of their performances, especially Art Kinetic. I was impressed by their community outreach efforts, their sincerity in trying to bring more dance opportunities and exposure to Michigan and their current level of achievement in so short a period of time.

I was also surprised.

First, by the fact that PROJECT Dance is a non-profit organization (remember, I’m a neophyte in many things “dance”) and second, by the relatively young age of the founder and director, Kathy King. It takes a great deal of determination and drive to create any company, dance related or not, much less make it a success. It’s unusual to find that in a person who hasn’t graduated college yet—not unheard of, but still…unusual…and perhaps more so, since we aren’t talking about a business student out to start their own dot com, or a computer geek/genius putting together the next great technology wave in their dorm room or their parents’ garage. I’ve met many of those types.

No, instead we are talking about a dance company and a non-profit one to boot. This is my first experience with a company and a founder like that! (But then, I fully acknowledge my neophyte status and my own inner stereotypes that I continually struggle to dissolve so that I might see the world more clearly.)

[Question] PROJECT Dance is a non-profit organization? Why go that route (versus say, the dance company/sponsored route)?

[Kathy] Actually, you’d be surprised to see how many dance companies operate as non-profits. I decided to go this route with PDM because I knew that it would be easier for the community to open their arms to a non-profit as opposed to just another person out there trying to make money. I’m not in this to make money, I’m in this to make art and share that art with the community.

[Question] Tell me about some of the things you've done that you are most proud of.

[Kathy] Well, starting this company has been a huge milestone in my life. I’m young, only 21 years old, and this has been my dream, so I guess this would be my proudest moment. Teaching dance also gives me a great sense of pride. When parents come to me and tell me that their children cannot stop talking about “Miss Kathy” at home, I know that I’m doing something right with my life. I love passing my enthusiasm for art on to my students.

[Tiffany] I am proud of Kathy because I have lived with her since she got the idea to start her company. So I have seen everything that she has put in this company and how dedicated she is. Without Kathy, we would be nowhere.

[Question] What are some of the biggest hurdles or setbacks that you've experienced?

[Kathy] We’ve had awesome luck getting the company up and running, but of course, life isn’t perfect. Being young has certainly made people skeptical of my abilities to develop and run a professional dance company. Also, because we are still so new, we don’t have much funding yet. We only get to rehearse and have company classes on weekends because I don’t have the money to pay my dancers to be there every day of the week. That certainly hinders my ability to train the dancers as I wish or work on choreography as often as I would like.

[Question] You seem to be heavily involved in not only groundbreaking and a higher level of performance, but also teaching and charity work. Can you tell me a little about that and what you've done, what you want to do still and what you've gained from those experiences?

[Kathy] I absolutely love teaching people of all ages about dance. I think that if this company is on a mission to creating a stronger dance community in Michigan, we must get out there and work with as many people as possible. We have been opening our company classes to the public so that advance level dancers in the area have an option to take a professional level class at a low cost. We have gone into public schools and taught dance to children who otherwise would never get to experience a dance class. Recently, we held a small benefit concert to raise money for the local food bank. It was a huge success and helped bring the community together, even if just for one night. I want PROJECT Dance to always be remembered as a company that not only put on a great show, but also helped the community in so many ways.

[Heather] We would love to be able to travel more to teach and perform. It has been a great experience teaching these children. It is always fulfilling to share what you do with others. We have taught from the dancer that has never set foot in a dance class to the advanced dancer.

[Question] Tell me about ART KINETIC. It looks like it was an amazing show. What prompted it? What inspired it? What is the basic theme or themes that run throughout it?

[Kathy] Art Kinetic was our very first full-length show as a company. It was an amazing weekend and that good energy will stick with me forever. The title “Art Kinetic” came from the fact that our show was so diverse and full of life, and those two words seemed to capture best what the show offered. Each piece was completely different. We had modern, lyrical, jazz, hip-hop, break dancers, improvisational dancing, and musicians. Our guiding theme was “let’s create something for everyone”.

[Question] You have some still photographs on your MySpace site and your main site of Art Kinetic, and some video clips of practice sessions. Will you have any video clips of Art Kinetic up soon?

[Kathy] Yes! I am getting our show tapes transferred to DVD and will be putting together a little sampling of Art Kinetic to share with all of our Internet friends.

[Question] Where do you want to go with Art Kinetic? Was it just a one time deal—a one time performance, or is it meant to grow into something more (or an annual/semi-annual/etc event)?

[Kathy] At first, the show was planned as just a one time deal. However, I would love to make Art Kinetic our annual winter concert series. I love that title too much to let it be used only once!

[Question] How has the Michigan community responded so far?

[Kathy] I have been very pleased with the way the community has responded thus far. It is funny because people around here honestly don’t understand what we’re doing or the concept of a dance company, but they are so excited about all of our little projects. It has surprised me because there are a few other great professional companies around Michigan, and they have been around for 25+ years, but then here comes this new company and the general public acts as though they’ve never even heard of a professional company. We’re slowly but surely educating the public about what we do, and they are more than willing to listen.

[Heather] The Michigan community has responded with enthusiasm and a great amount of support. We have received many compliments and encouragement for MORE. The community has taken great interest and seems very excited about the new company.

[Question] So? What's next? What does the future hold for PROJECT Dance? For all of you? Where do you want to go? Who do you want to be? What do you want your legacy to be? When it's all said and done, "who are you really?" and "what do you want?"

[Kathy] My number one goal is to get PDM off the ground and into the public eye. I want PDM to become a nationally known company. As for myself, I will always continue to choreograph… it is just what I do. I am so excited to be supporting the arts right now, and I hope that I can be known as someone who always takes the time to help others achieve their goals. There are so many talented dancers in Michigan, but they go unknown because there is nowhere for them to go. I want to be the person they can go to… I want PDM to become a backbone for dance in Michigan.

[Heather] I plan to stay with PROJECT Dance as long as I'm able to. I can't stay in Michigan forever, as I have a husband going through school and what not. I will stay here and support PROJECT Dance as long as life allows me. If I have to leave, I plan to come back, choreograph, and support in any way I can. PROJECT Dance is a cause I believe in and that I am positive will continue to grow and prosper in the future.
As far as my legacy and who I am… I am someone who wants to change the world of dance by giving dancers that opportunity to get the job for the right reasons... To give more opportunities for dancers that won't be demoralizing or degrading... Exploring all forms of movement and choreography.... And to be remembered for putting on a GREAT SHOW!

Many thanks to all of you for taking the time to answer my questions. For more information about PROJECT Dance of Michigan, please go to either their MySpace site or their main website.

MySpace site:

www.myspace.com/projectdanceofmichigan
Main Web Site: http://www.projectdanceofmichigan.org/

Next week, more great stuff...the primary of which will be an interview/profile of another of the Aha! Blogolicious! Media Award winners, namely, Karen Nielsen, the writer/director of Perceptions, a short film that merges dance, drama and social commentary.

Stay tuned!

CG Anderson
Little Dogs Media
Aha! Blogolicious! Musings and Meanings of Non-Sensical Events and Canada…

Interview: PROJECT Dance of Michigan--Innovation and Dance are Alive and Well in Michigan!

Innovation and Dance are Alive and Well in Michigan!

Interview with Kathy King and company of PROJECT Dance of Michigan.

Link to Part Two of Interview

You find amazing dancers and amazing dance groups in unexpected places. If you asked the average person where an innovative, progressive dance group might be located, I somehow doubt "Michigan" would suddenly spring to mind. Yet New York, London, Paris, Los Angeles, Chicago and so forth aren't the only places to find dancers either working hard in an industry that often under-appreciates them or to find dance groups pushing the envelope in order to push our culture to the next level.

Yes, I included Los Angeles, but mainly because of the film and television industry, as well as the music industry, that employs so many dancers regularly. Most jobs there may not be pushing for ever-expanding artistic development, but jobs are jobs. It's impossible to improve the art without support of some kind, so even if a dancer's main job is as 'back-up" dancer, it's still a living—and better yet, it's a real, honest to god, job as a working dancer.

You can make the same observations about other "cultural" centers. We tend to think of New York or London based ballet as the epitome of the dance kingdom—or perhaps Harlem Dance, for those that know about and prefer modern. It’s a stereotype, of course, since there is much more to dance than ballet companies performing Swan Lake, but when I did an informal survey, walking around asking people to name a dance company, I typically either got a blank stare or them naming a locally or internationally known ballet company.

Yep, I actually do silly things like that…luckily, I’m harmless looking so people don’t scream and run away in panic. They probably just think I’m odd…and they’re right, of course. After all, who would walk around aimlessly asking people about dance, dancers and dance companies? Yes, there must be something wrong with that girl…too much caffeine probably. Hmm…. No, no such thing as TOO much caffeine! I need my four cans of Coca-Cola, three cans of Diet Pepsi and singular once a week treat of a Double Caramel Mocha with Whipped Cream, Chocolate and Caramel Sauce and Dark Chocolate Stick from Seattle’s Best Coffee (SBC)…I need it, you hear?! NEED IT!!

Uh..anyway….

If you ask about a dancer, the result is more mixed and based on age and exposure. Here you get responses that point to people that watch dance shows on television to local dancers they know personally to again, internationally known dancers, most typically ballet or modern practitioners—and often “as seen on film or tv.” This even included film stars who were in movies (and danced in them) about dance like “Shall We Dance?” or often, especially among those over thirty, who were in musicals (film, tv or Broadway and including both old and new films and shows.)

However, when you phrase it as dance “company” then that slight change of semantics leads to a much wider chasm, or lack thereof, of recognition. That was why I usually got a tentative reply involving a ballet company as a response—but the successes of a few dance companies don't represent the thousands of companies out there, nor the hundreds of thousands of dancers struggling to learn and perfect their craft. It's also important to note that most dance companies, even and including the dominating few at the top of our cultural awareness, continue to struggle with funding issues.

Dancers dance because they just plain NEED to dance, just as other artists, including writers and musicians, ply their craft because of inner drives rather than outer rewards. It's a gift and a curse, depending on how you look at it. Some might even call it a compulsion or addiction.

As the saying goes with acting, "if you can be happy doing anything else, then do that…and get out of the business for your sanity's sake, if nothing else." It's the same with any art form and probably any sport…I'd say it's probably the same with ANY inner drive from art to sport to business to science. It’s just with the arts in particular, more than other professions, often the external rewards are slight—and the inner price is often high, very high indeed sometimes.

No one wants to be a starving artist—but then the joy to be reaped from doing what you love, what you feel inside you needing to be expressed…it's indescribable to those that never feel such passion, such yearning, or such compulsive drives in their daily low risk lives, even if the passion not experienced isn’t art or dance, but a passion for another field of study or work. Doing what gives you joy isn’t limited to the artistic mindset, but so many others out there still never experience that joy, regardless of the pursuit involved.

Perhaps such others are happier…then again, perhaps they just need that inner joy and hidden passion (whatever that passion may be) to be awakened by someone else, a musical group, a dramatic story, an action-packed film, a painting that resonates, a sculpture that inspires…

…or perhaps it will be awakened and nurtured by a dance group seeking to share their own sense of joy and deep passion with others.

So yes, Michigan…not New York, not LA, not the usual stereotypes…not even Detroit…but Brighton, Michigan.

Allow me to introduce you to PROJECT Dance of Michigan.


In fact, I'll let them introduce themselves. Responding to my interview were the following people: Kathy King, who is the founder and director of PROJECT Dance of Michigan (PDM.) Heather DeVries is the PDM Rehearsal Director. Tiffany Janeway and Love Miller are both dancers with PDM. They were very kind to take the time to answer my questions, which range from the neophyte to the silly sometimes, if I do say so myself, knowing that I’m a self-recognized neophyte at many things considered common knowledge in the dance world. However, as off center as my questions might have been at times, their answers were definitely center stage and insightful—insightful regarding dance, their company, their work and even themselves.

This interview will be presented in two parts. Here is part one. All photos in both parts, courtesy of Kathy King, were taken by photographer George Petersmarck (www.georgepetersmarck.com). Please do not copy them or this article without my AND Kathy King's express permission.

[Question] Tell me a little bit about PROJECT Dance. You know, the usual stuff that you always get asked. Always asked yes, but these usual things are also important, too…things like who started it, why did they start it, and what is PROJECT Dance all about?

[Kathy] I started PROJECT Dance as a way to offer dancers in Michigan a chance to get out there and perform. The dance community in this area has been quite static lately and I wanted to put an end to that. PDM is here as an outlet for dancers to begin their professional career without having to make the move to big cities like New York, Los Angeles or Chicago. This company is all about creating an inviting atmosphere for people to simply enjoy the many aspects of performance art. We keep things exciting and diverse so that anyone attending one of our performances can find something that they can relate with and understand. In addition to performances, we teach classes and participate in community outreach as often as possible.

[Heather] Kathy approached me about starting PROJECT Dance mid-summer of 2006. Kathy and I had always said someday we would start a dance company together. She finally woke up one morning and wondered why she hadn't gone through with the idea and gave me a call. There are many purposes driving PROJECT Dance. To name a few; to give more career opportunities to Michigan dancers, to share our artistic vision with the community and also to educate children and fellow dancers alike with a broad spectrum of dance styles and choreography. We are very strong supporters of all forms of art and love to lend a helping hand in the community, whether that be through volunteering our time to teach in schools or through benefits we hold for charity organizations.

[Question] Tell me now a little about you all. What is your background? Why did you start this… or… Why did you become a part of PROJECT Dance? What do you get out of the experience? What do you contribute to it?

[Kathy] Dance has always been a major influence in my life. I moved around a few times when I was a child and eventually ended up in Michigan for high school. I was never excited about living in Michigan… it is a rather depressing state most of the time. After high school, I made the move to Los Angeles. I stayed out there for a year, but never found the experience fulfilling. I thought I wanted to be a “commercial” dancer, but in all reality, it wasn’t for me. I’m more interested in the meaningful, artistic side of dance. Once I ran out of money, I came back to Michigan to attend Wayne State University. The university setting was great for me, but I still needed more. I finally stopped procrastinating and started working on the beginnings of PROJECT Dance of Michigan. It didn’t take too long for me to connect with some key people, obtain the non-profit license and find a rehearsal home for the company. Now, I spend every waking moment thinking about PROJECT Dance and what I need to be doing next. I’m also working on my degree in Public Relations, which has proven to be very useful in the promotional aspects of running the company.

[Heather] I have had a passion for dance since a very young age. Through my teen years, it was basically all I was, all I thought about, and all I wanted to be... "a professional dancer." Upon graduating, I attended Brigham Young University and soon became restless for more career opportunities and made my move to Los Angeles. There I auditioned for the Edge Performing Arts Center Scholarship Program and was one of twenty to be accepted. I studied intensively with the top choreographers and teachers in LA. I studied all forms of dance, gymnastics, voice and acting. Upon graduating from that program, I signed with Clear Talent Group. I danced in various show, benefits, music videos and movies. When I lived in LA, it was a bittersweet life. I was LIVING my dream but still couldn't find that sense of fulfillment in what I was doing. I planned a temporary move back to Michigan for foot surgery and soon after recovery was debating whether to move back to LA when Kathy approached me regarding PROJECT Dance. PROJECT Dance has given me that sense of fulfillment. It has given me more of an opportunity to let myself and others showcase their talent. I love letting our performances be about the dance and the movement rather than everything always being so image-driven. I love being able to be a part of the audition process as well. It's nice to be able to be behind the scenes and choose dancers because of their potential and talent rather than because they "look the part" or have the "right" body. As far as my contribution, Kathy and I work together to create shows that are versatile and entertaining. Kathy and I are the two main choreographers for the company, but our dancers are permitted to choreograph if they desire. I help with promotion, choreography, and whatever Kathy might need help with. Kathy is definitely the head of it all. She loves the company and her passion and dedication to PROJECT Dance really shows through her work and leadership. She has such enthusiasm for dance. We are all very lucky to have her leading the company.

[Tiffany] I have been dancing since I was three and always wanted to pursue dancing as a professional career. I joined Project Dance because I wanted to be involved in making Michigan more dancer friendly. Project Dance gives me more chances to improve my technique and perform more.

[Love] I joined PDM because it was new, and they were actually organized and doing real dance. It wasn’t just a hip-hop, or modern based company… we do everything. I’m glad I was chosen to be in the company because with as many auditions that I got turned away from, I kind of was giving up hope. So I’m grateful that they accepted me to be apart of the company, and help get out there and show Michigan that there is real talent here.

[Question] PROJECT Dance seems to have a lot of philosophy behind it, a driving need to not just create incredible dance experiences, but to also change the world—or at least the way the world views dance and how dance affects the world just by being. Is this coincidence? Am I wrong?

[Kathy] That is an intense statement. I love what I do, and I love sharing it with others. I strongly believe that dance is good for the soul. I also believe that if artists are given an outlet in which to work, we can do amazing things in this world. We just have to get out there and support one another. The philosophy for this dance company is greatly influenced by my own personal philosophy, which I hope is strong enough to at least change the way the Michigan community views dance. But if we can change the world, that would be great too!

[Heather] We definitely have a lot of philosophy behind the company. Kathy and I both have a lot of philosophy behind the lives we live and therefore desire to create a philosophy driven company. I think one of the biggest ways we can change the way the world views dance is simply by exposure. Exposure to all forms of dance and helping the world learn to accept and appreciate more than just the booty pop. (Although we do love the booty pop.) That is why I believe it is so important to educate children. They are the leaders of tomorrow and if we can plant the seed and open their eyes to the world of dance, and help them appreciate dance or give them an outlet, a hobby, a passion, anything…We have succeeded.

[Question] Where do you want to go with PROJECT Dance? What are the big goals and dreams?

[Kathy] My biggest goal is to have PDM develop into a full running company, with dancers on salary and touring the country.


[Question] If you could achieve anything with this project, what would it be? (no matter how big, small or outrageous.)

[Kathy] I would like for Michigan dancers to have a respectable and accessible company close to home. I would like for aspiring choreographers to have an outlet in which to experiment with their work. I would like to open the eyes of the everyday person to the excitement of performance art. All in all, I just want to help dancers succeed and help the public embrace art.

[Love] There are a few things I would like to achieve while being apart of this company. I would like to let as many people know about PDM as possible so that they can support us and we wont be one hit wonders. But that the company will be able to grow and travel all over, just like well-known companies, for instance Alvin Ailey or Dayton Contemporary Dance Company.

Their Myspace site is www.myspace.com/projectdanceofmichigan and their site is www.projectdanceofmichigan.org


Stay tuned. Next week, I will post the rest of the interview (and more pictures of Art Kinetic.!)
See you then.


CG Anderson
Little Dogs Media

This article and these pictures are not copy-able, so please don't. Thanks.

Body of missing dancer may have been found

Body discovered as authorities continue search for missing Cowley College dance team dancer/Ark City Dance Studio teacher, 19 year old, Jodi Sanderholm. (Arkansas City, Kansas)

Here's the link to the story:
http://www.komotv.com/news/national/5140997.html

Be careful out there everyone. There are too many dangerous types that don't care about who they hurt out there.

CG