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    Columbus Makes Art Presents Alexander Cornejo, Principal Dancer with Oyo Dance Company

    Katie Grace, Board of Directors President for Oyo Dance Company, sits down to chat with Alexander Cornejo about his experiences, influences and what a day in the life of a professional dancer looks like as he prepares to perform in One Light. Alex has been with Oyo Dance Company for five years and is accomplished in multiple dance styles including modern, contemporary, ballet and ballroom.

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    Katie: How long have you been dancing and what inspired you to start?
    Alex: I started dancing when I was 13 years old, and professionally at 19. My parents encouraged me to start dancing and instilled a love for music and theater in me while growing up in El Salvador. There was always music being played in our home, and my father worked at a theater, so whenever he had extra tickets he would encourage me to attend any performance that was happening.

    Alexander Cornejo. Photo by TJ Wehrung Photography.
    Alexander Cornejo. Photo by TJ Wehrung Photography.

    Katie: After performing with dance companies in Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru and Cuba, you moved to the United States just five years ago. What are some of the differences you have experienced working in Columbus versus cities in other countries?
    Alex: I have only danced with Oyo Dance Company in the U.S., but a big difference I noticed is how I was accepted so quickly here, even though at the time I was not in my best shape physically. The companies I worked with in other countries were all about big productions, and strict about being a certain size and look. I have really appreciated Oyo working with me to gain strength and become a better performer while not focusing on body type, because it came to me naturally through hard work and focus.

    Katie: Who has been your biggest artistic influence?
    Alex: We didn’t have internet growing up, but I recall watching Mikhail Baryshnikov dance on a VHS tape we had at home. He was so amazing to watch because I had never seen anyone dance like that before. My first teacher, Geraldo Osorio, was also very influential because he taught me not to be afraid to try anything. I still keep that in my mind today and know I don’t need to be perfect to try something new.

    Katie: You are starting to explore the choreography side of dance. Can you explain your process, from creating a concept to what is performed on stage?
    Alex: Yes, I have mainly been a performer, but have the opportunity to choreograph a full performance of Carmina Burana, which Oyo Dance Company will present in February in Hilliard. Carmina Burana is a well-known historical work and there are countless versions of it in opera, dance and different types of music. I have performed it three times in my country, so to start fresh and create an entirely new version is very exciting. To create the piece I listen to the music, and movements come into my mind. I then take the raw ideas and try them out on the dancers. Some ideas work and some don’t. It is a very collaborative process.

    Alexander Cornejo in 'Show Yourself'. Photo by TJ Wehrung Photography.
    Alexander Cornejo in ‘Show Yourself’. Photo by TJ Wehrung Photography.

    Katie: Dance is such an audience-driven art. How did you keep yourself motivated and in shape both mentally and physically last season when there were no live in-person performances?
    Alex: I am a very patient person and can adapt to what is going on around me. I just told myself to keep on working and taking everything one day at a time. The artistic director of Oyo, Rachel Nace, and I knew it was important to stay in shape so we took a ballet class every day together. We also did perform! We created an entire performance on a stage and made it available for live online viewing.

    Katie: What does the day in the life of a professional dancer look like, and (we all want to know…) what do you eat throughout a typical day?
    Alex: The common thing for every professional dancer is company class and rehearsal, almost every day, depending on the performance season. I spend at least half my day at the studio, and to supplement my income, I work at a restaurant around five hours a day. We have our holiday show One Light coming up in November, so rehearsal time will continue to increase as we get closer to the performance. As far as my diet, I definitely don’t diet! I try to balance by eating “normal” one day, and then really healthy the next day. For example, the traditional dishes of my country use a lot of oil, so I try to avoid oil on my healthy eating days. I don’t feel deprived and I like to eat to be happy and healthy.

    Katie: What is the best thing about the Columbus arts scene right now?
    Alex: I think the variety of different art forms available here is wonderful. Whatever your preferences are… from opera, to dance, to theater, high caliber art of every kind is right here in Columbus. You could fill every weekend with an arts-related event! It is time to start getting out there and enjoying what everyone has been working so hard to keep going.

    See Alex perform in Oyo Dance Company’s production of One Light, a multicultural holiday celebration featuring dance, music and readings from Hanukkah, Christmas, Yule, Day of Reconciliatio, and Brazilian Carnival. Performances will be held on Nov. 19-21 at the Columbus Performing Arts Center. Tickets and more information can be found at oyodancecompany.org/tickets.

    Columbus Makes Art Presents is a bi-weekly column brought to you by the Greater Columbus Arts Council – supporting and advancing the arts and cultural fabric of Columbus. The column is a project of the Art Makes Columbus campaign, telling the inspiring stories of the people and organizations who create Columbus art. Learn more about local artists, organizations, public art and events at ColumbusMakesArt.com.

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    Katie Grace
    Katie Gracehttps://oyodancecompany.org
    Katie Grace is president of the board of directors for Oyo Dance Company
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