On Hindsight

Click here to view excerpt from Ever After, 2013

It's a beautiful thing, time. It helps you separate yourself from whatever may have clouded your judgement at one point or another, remove self-doubt, or help you see your own work more clearly.

As I'm sure happens with many artists, my perspective on what I create changes. Sometimes new work comes easily, flowing from my head and heart and falling meticulously into place. Other times the process is harder, although the end result may still be (subjectively) splendid.

I recently came across a DVD of an evening-length dance concert I created in 2013 titled Ever After (link to an excerpt under photo). It was a breath of fresh air to be reminded of the process behind the finished work, to see the successes, and to acknowledge the moments I now know could have been stronger, or different. As we grow as artists and people, our tastes and frame of reference will change. But having had time to distance myself from my work, I feel rich. Blessed that I am able to do what I love and lucky that I've had years to continue studying, experimenting, training, growing and playing alongside dancers willing to dedicate their time and talent.

The message? If you are doing what you love, keep moving forward. Embrace and accept the challenges and roadblocks; they are what will make you stronger. Go easy on yourself when you make mistakes. As dancers, it's easy to get swept into a cycle of striving for perfection and feeling as though we never quite live up to it, but IT'S OK to stop and let yourself feel good for work well done.
Yes, there are things I'd do differently now. But if I could go back, no, I wouldn't change a thing. On occasion, I look back at my younger self and say "Good for you, grasshopper. Now just keep going."

So keep going, friends.
Stephanie Wonchala
Pulse Artistic Director/Choreographer

When "working late" means "having a blast"

Thoughts on being an Alaskan Artist

PDC company member Brooke Nguyen.

There are a lot of wonderful things about Alaska - location, opportunities, community, the view.

Those same things can simultaneously become the hardships - and the saving graces - of being a working artist in our state.

Location? We're completely detached from art hubs. New York, LA, Europe. It's safe to say Jiri Kylian doesn't Google search "dance in Anchorage" when he needs inspiration. And so it remains our responsibility to seek knowledge, chase new experiences, and share them generously.

Opportunities? They're as vast as our state's square footage... but only if you make them. As Alaska approaches its Centennial Celebration, it's important to note that a city is only as vibrant as the art it supports, and within 100 years, we've come far. It's equally important to note that without arts leaders forging ahead, our (limited) arts scene wouldn't be what it is today. For that, I am thankful.

A sense of community. Without it we're weak, and together, we can do more, and better. Not everyone will share the same vision, and that's OK. Countless arts organizations across the nation work together for mutually beneficial outcomes, and that in and of itself creates a safety net for what can be a perilous work climate for the arts. Strength in numbers, power in support, commUNITY. It's a beautiful thing to know people have your back, and empowering to have theirs. Pulse has been lucky to have the support of leading local arts organizations including the Anchorage Concert Association, Momentum Dance Collective, Underground Dance Company, Studio 49, and the University of Alaska. Together, we can build an environment that nurtures the art we care so passionately about, and together, we can continue growing.

The view. Well - the view's always great.

Pulse launched a Kickstarter campaign on September 20 for a restaging of Cinderella, and what has been most beautiful about the Kickstarter experience is the massive amount of support it has received, and not just financially. Our campaign has been shared nearly 900 times by donors and non-donors looking to make our project happen. That, if anything, is what it's all about: bringing people together, making art a viable possibility in Anchorage, and no matter the struggle, finding ways to make big things happen. Thanks for taking the journey with us.

Until next time, friends.

Stephanie Wonchala
Pulse Dance Company
Artistic Director/Choreographer

And Another Thing...: Whim W'him: The Courage Of Conviction

And Another Thing...: Whim W'him: The Courage Of Conviction: Whim W'him company members in "Les Biches" by Anabelle Lopez Ochoa photo @ Bamberg Fine Art, courtesy Whim W'him It ta...

Fairbanks 2014 AWG Gala Finale

This was ridiculously cool. Throat singers meet break dancers, native dance meets Greenland flair. Such an amazing experience - and while the sound drops when the awesome drumming kicks in, you get the idea. 
We are one community, even if continents apart. 



More: http://awg2014.org/culture

Life of a Freelance Dancer: Should Artists be Shamed into Taking "Normal" Jobs...

"Professional artists need to remember that art is their job. Not some fun, child-like hobby that we are too stubborn to let go of."

Amen. Looking forward to having the highly accomplished, mega-talented Barry Kerollis back in our state. As sequestered as we are, it will be a delight to have his professional dance current ripple into our midst.

Catch up on his blog below:

Life of a Freelance Dancer: Should Artists be Shamed into Taking "Normal" Jobs...: At the beginning of 2014, I posted an article on Facebook about the hotly debated emergency extension of unemployment benefits . My intentio...

Pageant School - THROWBACK!

A fun blast from the past - pun intended - feat. Pulse director Stephanie Wonchala doing her thang. #throwback