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MOVE 2021: A whirl of optimism to celebrate International Dance Day

In partnership with The Vibes and Getaran, KLMovement’s inaugural online event connects dance groups, professionals across the globe

Updated 2 years ago · Published on 28 Apr 2021 11:00AM

MOVE 2021: A whirl of optimism to celebrate International Dance Day
KLMovement artistic director Michelle Jueney and creator of MOVE 2021: International World Dance Day Unesco. The online event premieres tomorrow at 7pm (MYT), 7am (EDT). – Pic courtesy of HopScotch KimMun, April 28, 2021

by Amalina Kamal

WHAT moves you?

Recently, The Vibes’ Culture and Lifestyle team received messages from the front desk of someone persistently trying to get hold of our editors. This made us curious.

On the other end of the line was Michelle Jueney, a dancer enthusiastic about a passion project she is busy curating. The project is called ‘MOVE 2021: International World Dance Day Unesco’, her initiative to commemorate the upcoming International Dance Day celebration held on April 29.

“It is part of my continuous and humble effort to create, connect and celebrate dance together with established and internationally renowned dancers in the performing arts scene. They range from emerging talents to professionals and veterans in their respective dance forms,” shared Jueney when contacted.

“The event is about finding strength and hope – how dance has always risen above the profound immorality and wickedness instigated by those that fuel inhumanity that we see in the recent news. Through dancing, we strive to be one of the torch barriers of humanity”.

The dancers involved in MOVE 2021 have a shared passion and enthusiastic to join hands in ridding the woes of the pandemic. – Pic courtesy of KLMovement
The dancers involved in MOVE 2021 have a shared passion and enthusiastic to join hands in ridding the woes of the pandemic. – Pic courtesy of KLMovement
‘Dream Wanderer’ (2019) is an interdisciplinary street theatre, dance and performance art project collaboration choreographed by Ashly Nandong. – Pic courtesy of KLMovement/Jee Photography
‘Dream Wanderer’ (2019) is an interdisciplinary street theatre, dance and performance art project collaboration choreographed by Ashly Nandong. – Pic courtesy of KLMovement/Jee Photography

Now we do not necessarily jump at any pitches that present themselves, but with such a burning proclamation – and that Jueney displayed such a drive that one cannot help but be intrigued.

Elaborating on the background of her non-profit project, Jueney said: “The size of the creative team is not relevant as this is a global effort to come together sparked by my initiative to break free of the lockdown gridlock”.

A reflection of personal moments

Jueney said that the initiative is not among multiple associations but a collaborative effort of individual dancers and artists coming together, “with a shared passion who are enthusiastic to join hands in an international project on an online platform despite the Covid-19 challenges.

“MOVE 2021 is a beautiful reflection of some of the most personal moments of dancers in their deepest intimate explorations of movement and improvisation, explored through film, theatre, bedroom, and other confined spaces.

Jueney met Dmitrenko at his workshop at the Federal Academy of Ballet where she was a student. The artistic theory of ‘Resonance’, performed by Meadow Ballet, highlights the dispersion of the elements in a search for harmony and a common language. It depicts the transformation from division and dissonance to unity and resonance. – Pic courtesy of Alexey Dmitrenko
Jueney met Dmitrenko at his workshop at the Federal Academy of Ballet where she was a student. The artistic theory of ‘Resonance’, performed by Meadow Ballet, highlights the dispersion of the elements in a search for harmony and a common language. It depicts the transformation from division and dissonance to unity and resonance. – Pic courtesy of Alexey Dmitrenko
Megan Castro was raised and started her dance journey in South Carolina. She joins in to showcase her love of improvisation behind her creativity that allows her to express the joy and freedom of physical expression. Sparked by the pandemic, Castro started a daily dance journal on Instagram to chart her dance diary, ‘Speed’ is one of her best moments. – Pic courtesy of Rebecca Madrigal
Megan Castro was raised and started her dance journey in South Carolina. She joins in to showcase her love of improvisation behind her creativity that allows her to express the joy and freedom of physical expression. Sparked by the pandemic, Castro started a daily dance journal on Instagram to chart her dance diary, ‘Speed’ is one of her best moments. – Pic courtesy of Rebecca Madrigal

“Of course, the project would not have come together without the support of those who have joined in unity as dancers, sharing individual expressions with dance and art regardless of race, boundary, discipline, or school. Having these ‘creative voices’ as part of the event is vital,” added Jueney.

Detailing the relationship background with the participating dancers, she said, “I met them through various platforms, some during art and dance festivals and others through online dance programmes over the years (pre and during the pandemic).

“Ashly Nandong and Tony Yap through The Melaka Arts & Performance Festival – Tony is the director of the festival organised every year in Melaka. Ashly and I were participants whereby I participated back in 2013 and 2014,” she said.

“Jesse Obremski through GibneyDance, New York and José Limón Online class in 2020 and we have kept in touch on Instagram.

“I met Alexey Dmitrenko when he came to hold a choreography workshop where I was a participant at the Federal Academy of Ballet, the same ballet school I attended training at since I was six,” she added.

(Left) Jesse Obremski presents ‘No Words’ stemming from the activism on gun control in America. The native New Yorker had the honour to perform for the Obama family at the inaugural White House Dance Series as well as for the Olympic-recognised Fina World Tournament 2019 in South Korea. (Right) Son Yu Joung is an accomplished professional dancer and choreographer in Classical Korean and Contemporary Dance. As a guest choreographer, ‘Barem’ was a piece produced after being invited by the NanYang Academy of Fine Arts (Nafa), Singapore. – Pic courtesy of Nir Arieli & Kim Hyun Chul
(Left) Jesse Obremski presents ‘No Words’ stemming from the activism on gun control in America. The native New Yorker had the honour to perform for the Obama family at the inaugural White House Dance Series as well as for the Olympic-recognised Fina World Tournament 2019 in South Korea. (Right) Son Yu Joung is an accomplished professional dancer and choreographer in Classical Korean and Contemporary Dance. As a guest choreographer, ‘Barem’ was a piece produced after being invited by the NanYang Academy of Fine Arts (Nafa), Singapore. – Pic courtesy of Nir Arieli & Kim Hyun Chul
Swiss-Canadian Zoe Gyssler presenting an improvisational piece of a close-up and intimate look of her private practice and creative exploration process called ‘Isolated Chaos’, one of the video submissions set to premiere tomorrow. – Pic courtesy of ultimavez_Danny Willems
Swiss-Canadian Zoe Gyssler presenting an improvisational piece of a close-up and intimate look of her private practice and creative exploration process called ‘Isolated Chaos’, one of the video submissions set to premiere tomorrow. – Pic courtesy of ultimavez_Danny Willems

Unity through dance

The artistic director, dancer, and choreographer of The KLMovement notes that dance and the arts function as the heartbeat of any society.

“To me, it is a barometer to the wellbeing of any nation, as well as to offer respite in challenging times.

“Society everywhere is divided in various forms and content. Dance is a unifying medium, to bridge divides and celebrate shared experiences”.

On how the project got the support of The International Dance Council (CID): “The organisation supports any project by providing members, which I am one, their branding.

“They encourage us to initiate and organise any highly important dance event in any form classes, workshops, performances, and films.

“What I am most excited about – as far as I am concerned – is MOVE 2021 as a unique global initiative to shatter all the negativities, through the medium of dance, associated with a very cruel restrictive lockdown of humanity’s will to live life freely and fully”.

Tony Yap presenting ‘Unconditioned’, a pure improvisational piece drawing inspiration from our current situation and experiences. Born in Malaysia, Yap’s work has received many international success with collaborations and taking place not just in Malaysia but also in Australia, Indonesia, Austria, Italy, France, Denmark, China, South Korea and Japan. – Pic courtesy of Tony Yap
Tony Yap presenting ‘Unconditioned’, a pure improvisational piece drawing inspiration from our current situation and experiences. Born in Malaysia, Yap’s work has received many international success with collaborations and taking place not just in Malaysia but also in Australia, Indonesia, Austria, Italy, France, Denmark, China, South Korea and Japan. – Pic courtesy of Tony Yap
A still from ‘Kuber Kabuttam’, a dance dedicated to Lord Kubera, the Lord of Riches and Wealth. Aroha Sanyal is a 12-year-old student studying Bharatanatyam Indian Classical Dance under the guidance of Udita Roy who helped to compose the dance submitted for MOVE 2021. – Pic courtesy of KLMovement
A still from ‘Kuber Kabuttam’, a dance dedicated to Lord Kubera, the Lord of Riches and Wealth. Aroha Sanyal is a 12-year-old student studying Bharatanatyam Indian Classical Dance under the guidance of Udita Roy who helped to compose the dance submitted for MOVE 2021. – Pic courtesy of KLMovement

The term dance or dancer, within the context of the discussion, refers to those that are pursuing it professionally in the classical and contemporary genres. Far from the social dance, mainstream, commercial entertainment, and events-based sectors and musicals that we are used to seeing today.

Behind the commitment

When asked if dance as a career is sensible, and given how the pandemic has forced society to relook at lifestyle choices and personal development, Jueney said: “Unknown to the public, an aspiring professional dancer must have intense determination.

“This means the willingness to make tremendous sacrifices in not having financial security, and the resilience to remain on the path for self-fulfilment and in the pursuit of excellence in dance.

“The young dancer that started in 1957 who is now an old man, looks at the way things are and still says the same thing today.

“Dance is a very difficult career and to succeed, one must make dance the main part of their life and be prepared to face hardship.”

She says, “I believe if you love what you do, you just do it. Have a good attitude and never give up.

“Why does the sun rise every morning and set every evening?” – The Vibes, April 28, 2021

*MOVE 2021: International World Dance Day Unesco is organised by The KLMovement and created by artistic director Michelle Jueney. In partnership with The Vibes and Getaran, the event premieres worldwide Thursday, 29 April 2021 at 7pm (MYT), 7am (EDT). Visit MOVE 2021 Playlist to share in and enjoy the experience.

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