Wednesday, September 06, 2006

Interview with Kevin Ormsby

Epiphany: So Kevin thanks for coming on tonight... I’ve gotten allot of positive response to the photographs we created last weekend, How long have you been dancing?

Kevin: 20 yrs since the age of 10 but in the performing arts since I was 3yrs old.

Epiphany: Did you always want to be a Dancer?

Kevin: I was in musical theatre until dance became the forefront at about 16.

Epiphany: What caught your interest in Dance?

Kevin: A scholarship to Jamaica School of Dance at Edna Manley College of the Performing Arts, lol.

Epiphany: So you got a scholarship and just went for it?

Kevin: Yeap!, was on scholarship until immigrated here in 92.

Epiphany: So what about dancing makes you the happiest? The creativity, the travel, the performance?

Kevin: All of the above the life it's a process that like life has its ups and downs, but the joy of performing makes the hours of rehearsal meaningful and the experience of new cities and countries makes you realize how special it is to communicate with your body.

Epiphany: Was there one performance so far or place where you just said wow this is why I love doing this?

Kevin: in Lyon France where while performing with Garth Fagan Dance we did 5 encores to numerous shouts, foot stomping and Bravo!! The life of a dancer is not easy but those sentiments alone makes you realize that destiny would have it that you, a dancer can elicit such emotions in someone else.

Epiphany: That’s such a great thing to recognize. Ok you recently moved back from the states, who were you dancing for there?

Kevin: Garth Fagan Dance (Garth Fagan is the choreographer of the LION KING but he has his own company in Rochester, NY...its now in its 35th Anniversary.) I was with the company for 5 and a half years

Epiphany: What brought you back to Toronto?

Kevin: I turned 30 wanted a little bit more stability in my life, I had a secured salary, traveling in a great company but got tired of the intensity in the life...I wanted to teach, share what I learnt and to one day run a company. Coming here I was offered a job with my old company as Assistant to the Artistic Director?

Epiphany: What is the name of the company here?

Kevin: It is the Ballet Creole?

Epiphany: Great, will you be dancing as well?

Kevin: Yes in major shows but my working capacity will be in the artistic directorship and Pre professional school

Epiphany: What’s the hardest part of dancing as a profession?

Kevin: Not having people think that you can actually have it be a profession like traditional professions (doctor lawyer etc) that and making an income comparable to that of a lawyer etc. Plus the body can be unforgiving

Epiphany: Is there a dance company you wish you could dance with or a particular dancer you would like to have performed with?

Kevin: Yes my dream was to dance with Garth Fagan's company that came through but I also love the work of Ron K. Brown / EVIDENCE Dance Company

Epiphany: Wow!.... What advice would you give someone just starting out?

Kevin: If you wanna be good at what you do then you have to be disciplined put in the time and don’t look for quick rewards... Debbie Allen says it best in the series FAME..."you have big dreams, you want fame well fame costs and right here is where you start paying in sweat" Also take a much dance class as you can from ballet, modern to hip-hop, jazz etc.. It will only make you better at what you do.... and go to school, no such thing as a stupid dancer.

Epiphany: Wow, great advice!

Epiphany: OK a little Proust questionnaire, ala Vanity Fair…. What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Kevin: Living without regrets

Epiphany: What is your greatest fear?

Kevin: People not seeing me for the true person that I am.

Epiphany: Which living person do you most admire?

Kevin: My parents and family (unconditional love)

Epiphany: What trait do you most deplore about yourself?

Kevin: Being so upfront, passionate and forward in my responses

Epiphany: What trait do you most deplore in others?

Kevin: Not being honest and to the point

Epiphany: What is your greatest extravagance?

Kevin: Books.

Epiphany: Hey thats one of mine as well! Well again thanks for a great photo shoot, and coming on tonight! Can’t wait to do it again!

Kevin: It was a pleasure to allow you to see a mere part of the being that I am.


All images and written word are copyrighted by Christopher Cushman 2006

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Great interview! As one of those "lawyers" (smile) it's good to see a dream achieved transform into another dream to be fulfilled.

Miracles and Blessings Kevin and thank you for sharing with us.

As always Chris, Keep Up the great work.

Lou