Meet The Company: Zui
How did you as a dancer/performer end up at Gibney Dance Center?
I moved to New York about six years ago to pursue dance, like any dancer’s story. I am from Miami but I was born in the Dominican Republic. After attending the Boston Conservatory for college, I moved back home to Miami. I think I exhausted all of the opportunities that was available to me in Miami and I didn’t want to pursue commercial work so I moved back to New York. I dived into so many different projects when I arrived in New York. A lot of my friends are also dancers so I was involved many of their projects so it was a collaborative effort. But when dance work wasn’t enough, I got the restaurant job, the babysitting job; I did the whole ordeal. Eventually, I started dancing with the second company of Ballet Hispanico then got injured. I had to stop dancing for six months. I came back to Ballet Hispanico after I recovered and danced for the first company, which was exceptional and such a wonderful experience. A colleague of mine suggested I audition for Gibney Dance Company. I am more of a classically trained dancer, much more involved in the contemporary field of dance, whereas Gibney is heavily modern-based. Now that I’ve joined the company, we are working with Shannon Gillen. Now, I’m flipping on my head, turning upside down, and doing all of these wonderful things. It is definitely a challenge but not in a bad way. I have bruises all over my body but those are signs of hard work. I am really enjoying the process here because it’s shifting my mind into a different style of movement and body language. I am allowing myself to dig into this box that has been sitting at the back of my mind that I’ve always wondered what it would be like to dance this way.
What most excites you about joining Gibney Dance Company?
There are so many things to be excited for because, again, this is all very different for me. I think achieving that level of understanding Gibney’s style of movement is my goal. I am excited to really develop and understand Shannon’s piece in particular. I know a lot of Gina’s work has already been set which is a different process when it comes to learning the choreography. But, I am more excited to dive into the characters, props, and things we are working on. I have never worked with Shannon before so I am hoping I can paint that picture for her.
Fall is a busy time for our company. What are you doing to stay healthy and at the top of your game?
As far as staying healthy, I am a big advocate for acupuncture. I’ve been doing it for the past six or seven years so I’ve always stuck with it. That’s my healing method and something that has always worked for me. The weather is changing so I am trying to stay warm. I am from Miami and I don’t want it to get cold. I am trying to mentally prepare myself and my body for that kind of temperature. My personal diet goes hand in hand with my health. I’ve been pescatarian in the past but I recently became vegan so it has been adventurous for me. I am enjoying all of these different varieties of food options, textures, and flavors. It’s definitely a life changing experience so it takes work and commitment to really stick with it. I also go to the gym and take pilates and yoga classes whenever I can fit them in my schedule. Mostly taking dance class and working my ass off in rehearsal is what I do to maintain my body.
If the company could travel to one international destination, which country would you choose and why?
We should go to Australia! I had a friend who live in Australia and she said that the weather is fantastic, there are so many beaches. Australia does have its critters and crawlers, which is a little scary but every place has its pros and cons. Australia is the furthest from where we are and I think it would be so incredible if we did. Also, New Zealand would be great! The country is very attentive to its dancers. They value their artists and understand pursuing art is a real job so it would be nice to see what’s going on over there!
Outside of your artistic work, what is your favorite thing to do?
I like to model! I started modeling when I was injured. I also love to cook, which I also discovered when I was injured. Because I couldn’t dance for six months, I was trying to find things to fill my time with. I could not quiet my mind. I went bonkers! It was driving me insane. When you do what you love everyday but it’s suddenly stripped away. It’s crazy! I needed to fill my time with something! My boyfriend is a photographer and I’ve been assisting him with his work. Trying to understand the two dimensional frame instead of what we think looks right has been interesting. I love long walks on the beach and swimming. I am from Miami and my mom lives across the street from the ocean so I make it my mission to visit the beach every time I go home. It is the best thing ever!