Summer Dance Intensive – Adults Credit: Sarasota Contemporary Dance

You guys, I found my dream future self. Right here in Florida.

Although she’s probably cooler, more successful and a better dancer than I’ll ever be. Her name is Leymis Bolaños Wilmott and she’s the founder and director of the Sarasota Contemporary Dance Company. Leymis created the dance company ten years ago and just renamed it last September 2015 from former name Fuzión Dance. The company consists of 12 dancers who carry out the mission, “to bring cutting edge dance of the highest caliber to the community through performance, education, and collaboration.”

One of the best things the company does that Leymis explained is performing and educating schools in the community to spread the love and importance of the art form. You can actually feel passion and determination radiating from Leymis as she speaks about her company and dance itself, even over the phone. She says, “I truly believe that dance is my calling and what God has given me to communicate with and nurture others. Now, being a professional in the field, it is my responsibility to share that appreciation and give opportunities to the younger generation."

One of the ways she and the Sarasota Contemporary Dance Company does this? They provide a Summer Dance Intensive for choreographers and dancers, both adult and children, who wish to strengthen and develop their abilities in dance. This summer the festival runs from July 23-30. Dancers need not audition; however, choreographers must. While everyone in the festival should expect to be challenged and work hard, they should also feel completely free to express their own creativity. On this topic, Leymis says, “The dancers should know that by dancing, they contribute something to the art form. The faculty is nurturing, but will still push you.”

She hopes students leaving the intensive appreciating their experience and gaining the versatility to open doors for them in their dance futures. (Sign up on their website.) Along with the summer intensive, the company has some other exciting events on its schedule. The Sarasota Contemporary Dance Company performs Retrospect, the 10th annual concert showcasing the past 10 years of choreography and artistry the company has created (March 17-20); Evolving/Revolving premiers June 2-5, showcasing re-staged dances that have impacted the company.

"It is my responsibility to share that appreciation and give opportunities to the younger generation."

Summer Dance Intensive – Children Credit: Sarasota Contemporary Dance

Leymis' final point — one that really stood out for me ‚ was that “the dance world can be a lonely place. We need to nurture, encourage, and challenge each other.” So yeah, she’s a pretty cool woman and I agreed with every word she said, which inspired me to get more involved in the lonely dance world so that in the future it might not be so lonely. Hopefully, it inspires some of you as well.

So here we go, ways to get involved, nurture, encourage, and challenge each other this week:

Shows:
The University of Tampa presents their Spring Dance Concert this weekend on both Friday (Feb. 19) and Saturday (Feb. 20) at the David Falk Theater in Tampa. What's even better than a college dance concert? A free college dance concert, which this one is. Need more info, contact Susan Taylor Lennon at 813-257-3745.

Classes:
Check out any or all classes at Hip Expressions Belly Dance Studio in St. Petersburg. They offer classes almost every day including belly dance, Nia, yoga, Polynesian, and more. For more info and to register, head to their website.

This article appears in Feb 18-24, 2016.