Dance Artist Dora De Paula

Choreographer, Dancer, Company Director and Founder, Mother, Woman

Nov 15, 2009

In this final part of the interview, Dora de Paula talks about the road since her arrival in Paris, her current project and her views of the future.

"I've changed. Slowly, i became the head of a team. I've had to learn about the importance of communications in my work. I've also learned that, if you do too many things, you'll never be the best at anything, so you've got to focus. You learn to specialize.

I've studied anatomy, holistic training, salsa, samba, yoga and Pilates. Studying anatomy was fascinating and taught me a lot about the dancer and pure movement.

"Today, I want to bring colors, inspiration and passion to my students. I don't want to copy anyone or anything; I have to do what I love, in tune with my dreams, my feelings, my whole life. I like bringing Brazilian music to my work, and of course, my experience in Brazil. I've learned enormously over the years. I love Brazil, but I've built everything here in France; my life, my son, my husband. I'm in love with Paris, but I've definitely been helped by my experiences in Brazil."

"We know so much more about people, children, teens today. Take pre-ballet; even that's changed so much! We know now that a small child can only focus on an certain activity for about 4-6 minutes, before getting bored. That means, that you've got to chop things up; continuously bring them so much, all the time. So I also get them to sing, to act, to bring out more of their physical expression.

Today, we're at the mercy of fads and fashion; changes happen so much quicker. Technology is at the heart of the performing arts to day. Modern Jazz is dying; you don't do classical pliés in hip-hop and there's practically no warm-up anymore. MTV and things like that have given teens the idea and the wish to dance like the stars they see on TV. It seems to me, that a whole generation has lost the respect, the discipline and the dedication necessary to do the very hard and tough work to be able to dance."

"My project 'Danse and Scène' (author's note: in English, Dance and Stage). The goal is to put amateurs, of all ages, on stage. It's to fulfill the your dream of being on stage. But it also means that, you have to have discipline. You have to work, you got to be there physically and mentally. Really give of yourself to be on stage, on a real stage. It's not a competition; I hate that. I'm all for team work. But dancing a real show, surrounded by professionals, in front of 1500 people is something that is great.

You can learn a lot about yourself, your art. They're forced to think like pros. They have to consider the deco, settings; there are assistants, make-up artists, costume designers. Basically everything around them is professional. The students have to go beyond the weekly or daily grind and be themselves, truly, on stage.

At the end of the day, I'm an educator. I think it's important to push yourself and go beyond what you think or what you assume. Through my project, I've had to reduce the number of students per class. More than 15 is too many. We're not a factory; I want quality and dedication. The great thing is that, there's still a long way to go!"

"At some point, I'll leave France. I'd like to live by the sea, but when I leave, and that's not yet!, the association and the company will continue to exist. I'd like to work towards being just as present as I am now, but not physically be there everyday. I'm not going to walk away from 20 years of hard work and vision; it's also for my son. I've started giving musical theater classes; studying the songs, and working in the Tap. It's great for children, to prepare them for later, a great way to transmit the passion of performing.

"Before, it was hard to find resources for creating, inspiration. Now, with modern technology, it's amazing the things you can find. Everything goes so much faster, but it's also very exciting.

I think dance has a great future; but certain parts of dance, like Modern Jazz and Tap are disappearing. I've recently attended Tap classes in New York with 4 people in the studio. It's sad for me; Tap is my great love. But things change. TV, You Tube have contributed to the explosion of dance. But many dancers still have trouble finding jobs or teaching. The funny thing is that in Brazil, there aren't enough dancers and dance teachers! But here in France, the market is very tough for dancers.

Sure, you can mount productions, have great projects; you can be a great choreographer, but it's such a hard industry for dancers. And it's a pity, because I see so many, who may or may not make it. I was lucky I guess; I think I owe a lot to my mother and my past. I look forward to the future with great excitement and wonder all that it will bring!"

Dora de Paula is the founder and head of the Artistic Association of Brazil in Paris, France. She is also the head of "Danse et Scène". She still teaches, and directs a team of 13 teachers in Paris, in the 16th arrondissement. Dora has danced on stage with Sam Weber, Lane Alexander, Leela Petronio, Tap Dogs, as well as with the Victor Cuno Company and isabelle Georges. She was born in Curitiba, Brazil and has been living in France for nearly 20 years now.

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