The St. Paul’s Ballet Company recently had the pleasure of working with dancer and choreographer Danielle Diniz as a visiting artist. She grew up and trained in New Jersey, leading her to pursue musical theater professionally while harboring a strong love for all dance styles.
Diniz says she finds her inspiration for dance in two forms: the “unabated joy of performing/cheering on other artists,” and music. Diniz recounts her excitement for dance as a child, which now translates to the exhilaration of watching others interpret her work. She says she loves when dancers have their own take and interpretation while inhabiting the same vision. Diniz takes a lot of inspiration from the legendary choreographer Jerome Robbins by “highlighting the technical feats artists have so diligently tried to master while coercing an organic honesty to the intention behind each phrase.”
Music also inspires Diniz, which is a medium through which dancers feel and express themselves.“Something about the beauty of compositions you're drawn to is unparalleled,” she says. “It's an immediate, visceral reaction when I hear a piece of music that I'd like to use for a piece, and I'll probably listen to it a thousand times in the process.”
Diniz choreographed an upbeat and story-driven piece for the SPSBC. The piece, set with a Spanish landscape, features a combination of different techniques and styles. The entertaining and heartfelt themes of the piece highlight the tale of four sisters taking a journey while inviting the audience to follow their adventures.
Diniz says she had a wonderful experience working in SPS. "The moment I walked in, I was welcomed with a unique warmth and sense of community, liveliness, openness, and professionalism,” she says.
The SPSBC will be performing Diniz’s piece in their upcoming Winter Performance.