Our interlocutor is a nineteen-year graduate of the Choreographic School “Sonechko”, extremely hard-working and devoted to his favorite business. What is he interested in? Those who have decided to hold an event that is not quite familiar to Zhytomyr – a choreographic master class. And our conversation is a view of the life of a young man, an ordinary Zhytomyr citizen, who on his own endeavors to create and popularize the art of dance
“In the family we have four brothers. Mom always wanted a girl, but she has boys. And with me, the dance tradition in the family began. At the age of four, I was first brought to the dance studio “Sonechko” at that time. We were close to hundreds of children. They showed elementary movements, and Tatyana Ivanovna Guzun selected those who would study. We were close to forty, and so every year. But before the release comes ten of the force. And from four years we are studying: two years – preparation, and then we go already at the school “Sonechko”. This year I have an anniversary: I have been doing choreography for 15 years ”
“Somewhere in the 16’s I first went abroad for Italy, in the middle of an ensemble. With “Sun” we traveled a lot of countries: Poland, Germany, France, Czech Republic, Italy, Slovenia, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia. We usually stop to explore the city. Wherever we arrive, try to get to know the culture and history of the country or the city as much as possible. All this thanks to Mikhail Semenovich (edited by M.S.Guzun, director of the school of choreographic art “Sonechko”), then his credit: he is seeking funding. In France, we visited Paris, in Italy – Rome, Milan, Genoa. They saw Venice, Parma, Bologna. And everywhere there were excursions, walks through the city ”
“There are pleasant moments in the dancer’s profession, but there is not much. There are so few unpleasant moments, but they are extremely painful. It is fatigue because of rehearsals every day, sometimes without a weekend. When preparing for big concerts, we do eight hours a day. Three to four hours – a job with a master-choreographer. But if you want to achieve something like a dancer, do not break the bones and do not tear the muscles, you have to prepare for employment and work after them. These are regular rehearsals and work on yourself ”
“When you start to do, parents play a huge role. But there is such a curious thing: then then everything goes into the habit. For several years you are engaged, every day you understand that you are going to the rehearsal, and then the habit is worked out. For example, when I’m outgoing, I feel awkward: I’m waiting for a call all the time to run for a rehearsal ”
“We had huge loads, but I finished high school – with an average score of 10. When a person wants, she will make it all. Yes, I did not do it a bit in the evening, got up early in the morning, did something before the classes, but did! At school my favorite subject was a story. We were very fortunate with a teacher who loved his subject and was extremely interesting about historical events. It was worth listening to him, and then I wanted to know more ”
“As Mikhail Semenovich says, the school” Sonechko “initially educates, and then teaches to dance. Let not all the graduates of the “Sonechko” school become professional dancers, but they are adequate, well-educated and decent people. And it’s true. There was once an institution of noble girls, cavalry corps for men. Now the school “Sonechko” plays such a role – educates children ”
“We have a friendly team, and we are very happy to celebrate the holidays. Every year we prepare New Year’s choreographic set for children. The year before, the New Year’s show was shown not only for small pupils of the school, but also for children of ATO soldiers. This year I wrote a script. This is, in fact, a mini-musical. And on December 29, we are preparing our “League of laugh”: they have already been divided into teams and dismantled the topics. Will be fun!”
“Just in case I now get a specialty, not related to choreography. I am studying at the building college and in the future I will design buildings and structures, which is quite perspective. You know, sometimes there is a feeling that this is not quite mine. Still, I really want to become a professional dancer ”
“I began my solo career recently: it became clear that my own life, besides me, would not be built by anyone. Some six months ago, we started the project – they began filming a film in which they decided to tell a story in dances. We took the basis of the events that are taking place in Ukraine today: ATO, war. Carefully picked up the musical accompaniment and decided to use the music of the best modern composers of Max Richter, Johann Johansen and others. Then put the dance numbers and record it on the video. The project involved Nastya Kucherenko, she was also a graduate of “Sonechka”, was filmed by Sergei Mishin and two other his comrades – operators Sergei Filonenko and Sergei Boreiko. Well and me. This is a team of five people. We did the material and submit it to various contests. Submitted to the Odessa International Film Festival. Unfortunately, our movie did not go through the format, but we received the approvals. Of course, the ballet films were also filmed for us, but they said that this is interesting and fresh material ”
“When we ride for various festivals, contests, in particular for the choreographic International Dance Competition named after them. Pavel Virsky, where we were winners, our colleagues show master classes. Sometimes I understand that I already have my own experience, I can show something or know how to do something simpler, easier, and more beautiful. And I had the idea of conducting master classes. It is sometimes the case that teachers who teach at schools, clubs, have never worked in a professional ensemble of dance for a day. Yes, they are great as teachers, but I think that professionalism is born and secured when you work in a team, a team. Because one head is good, and two heads, or three – even better ”
“I would like to arrange such master classes, parties, to instill love for dance to develop a dance culture. My first master class booked all the places, but not all came. Unfortunately, when people have the opportunity to get something for free, they do not appreciate it. It’s the same two hours of training, and if a person is not even a professional dancer, she could at a master class get knowledge of the technique of warming up muscles, tips for learning certain movements ”
“Perhaps there will be some Sunday or Saturday school dances in Zhytomyr in a certain style: the school of tango, the waltz school, the school of cha-cha-cha. And what is interesting is ”
“It is painful that the creativity of intellectuals are sometimes very lightweight. We do not hold any writers, artists, dancers or cinema musicians. For some reason, we have no money for some interesting projects, and if they come to the consulate of another state with him, they say: “Okay, let’s do it.” And allocate funds. And from this people go to other countries. It’s a shame, because if there were more intellectuals, people would be more educated, they knew the power of the word, would know what such an honor, we would have lived better ”
“Zhytomyr is my hometown, I was born here, grew up. The big cities are similar to anthrax, and Zhytomyr is quiet, calm. And it is very beautiful that Zhytomyr-choreographed recently revived, and wonderful events took place, for example, the International Choreographic Assembly named after Natalia Skorulska. Such events develop and glorify the city that I love! ”
Translated by Aliona Matushevich
