Hometown: Los Osos, CA
Current city: Oakland, CA
Age: 32
College and degree: B.A. in Performing Arts Dance and Psychology, Saint Mary's College of California
Website: www.shaunnavella.org
How you pay the bills: Teaching, dancing, foundation administration
All of the dance hats you wear: Student, dancer, teacher, and choreographer
Non-dance work you do: Part-time administrative work for social justice organizations
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Describe the first 5 years after college:
Performing!!!! I really wanted it!!! I was dancing for multiple local companies including Paufve Dance, Anne Bluethenthal and Dancers, Davalos Dance Company, Liss Fain Dance, Deborah Slater Dance Theater, Project Agora, Ceres Dance and independently for choreographers and performance art projects. I went on a few national and international tours, in addition to teaching part-time at St. Mary’s College, Shawl –Anderson, ACE Dance Academy, and in public schools through Young Audiences. At this time I was taking dance classes all over the place, worked in an organic market, worked as a bra-fitter, went to massage school, became a bartender, stopped being a bartender, traveled for a bit, and sometimes felt a little lost but always looked fabulous! To satisfy my commitment to social justice I worked part time then for the Tides Foundation, Futures Without Violence and the Jewish Community Federation where I currently still work. (I got these jobs by just asking my friends, and the universe provided). I started to realize that all these little pieces fit together and seemed to work well for me. I was happy and thriving, and I could see myself continuing on in this way for awhile.
10 years after college:
I am still in the process of crazy scheduling and multiple paychecks, but most people I know, regardless of their line of work, are doing the same thing -- which normalizes my career path in some ways. I teach dance a lot. I have learned to stay inspired and curious. My advanced class material is always influenced by things I learn from my children’s classes. I seek out projects that interest me and challenge my mind. I am attracted to queer spaces, independent art collectives, collaborations, and building community rather than seeking it out. I am more adventurous and clearer as a performer. I seek out and value performance opportunities that make me feel more nervous than safe.
Now – what’s on your plate in 2013?
My life has always been about trying to balance my many interests! I continue to dance for a few companies, and have continued to pursue my passion for social justice by working part-time for organizations that support global justice in addition to teaching in variety of settings. I have trouble choosing one path, and therefore, I choose it all!
Stranger Lover Dreamer is a project I am starting with some dear friends who are also amazing dance artists! We are going to make some dances together, maybe some songs, performance installations, and perhaps even some parties.
How have you landed your performance gigs over the years (seen in class, auditions, etc)?
After graduating college it took me at least a year to start performing regularly in the Bay Area. I was taking tons of classes, as well as performing for myself and friends in emerging choreographers’ showcases. I tried to be as visible as possible. I stayed relatively patient and enthusiastic through it all, even though I remember it being very difficult and confusing as I tried to create my own pathway. After about a year, opportunities began opening up very quickly and with consistency. Choreographers saw me perform in one show and would contact me about another, or dancers I was working with would introduce to another company. I auditioned quite a few times for people and did not make it into their company, but later had an opportunity to work with them. I think my success has a lot to do with my personality and work ethic just as much as my dancing. I’m a little wild, enthusiastic, hard- working, and a team player. I am always aware of what kind of energy I bring into the sacred space of the studio: fully showing up, drama free and with the intent to challenge myself. For the last few years when I see a choreographer I admire, I walk up to her and tell her how much I appreciate her work, and that I would love to work for her. It has turned out to be the most rewarding way to get invited into a show, or company. I wish I had known this much earlier in my career! Most choreographers are looking for a dancer who is really invested in what they are doing and has a specific desire to work for them. Being pro-active, proclaiming your excitement and showing up for their classes can go a long way.
Advice to young dancers on teaching, the role of teaching in their dance lives ahead, and becoming a well-prepared teacher:
Teach things that make you excited. Continue to be a student. Stay curious and dream big. When you are in dance classes notice things that you might want to incorporate into your own teaching. Make fun playlists and research new music. Talk to other teachers about games, prompts, and explorations they love to use. Take time to prepare classes. Once I started getting more radical about classes and less worried about teaching straight knees, it really became the best job in the world. The dance world is evolving and we must be the couriers of that change.
An idea from your college years that you still think about/apply:
The depth of my knowledge regarding dance, movement, and performance exploded as a dance major. The one idea that transformed me is------ I am a dancer because I love moving; by myself, with others, to music, to feel sexy, to celebrate, to surrender to grief, to become more whole. Then all these other expectations and judgments surfaced, and lead me away from the playful joy of movement and dance creation. In the beginning of college, I thought I never wanted to be a “professional dancer," because money made things complicated, and as a type A personality my measure for success would be very confusing. By the end of college I learned to keep my eye on the ball. I like to dance. I should probably continue to dance. I should do it as much as possible. I should share how cool dance is with other people.
College course that made the most impact on your career path:
The most impactful college courses were the choreography classes with my amazing mentors: Cathy Davalos, Dana Lawton and Randee Paufve. I’m still really interested in gathering choreographic tools, and uncovering new ways to create dances, seeing how and what other choreographers value. But I have to give a shout-out…. African dance is everything!!!!! And it taught me more about music, and measures, and rhythms than any other experience I have had. Being asked to create multiple separate rhythms in my body, and continue for an extended amount of time. I’m so in!!!!! Thank you Pope Flynn.
Pose 2 questions you would love young dancers to consider.
These two questions kind of blend into one for me. I think it’s important for people to clarify their intentions. So as dancers, what kind of dance life do you want to build in the next year/or month? Do you want to work for a big company, multiple projects or a certain choreographer? Do you want to make dances or start a company? Just taking the time to think about what you want can help define the path. When I graduated college I wanted something to happen, but I didn’t take time to clarify what that something was. So I felt lost. Now, each year at least, I stop to think about what I want for my dancing career. At times I just want to dance for myself, sometimes I want to dance for tons of people, and some months I want to learn more about teaching and pedagogy. Honing in on what is true for you as of right now is the best question.
Last thought:
I have been going to a few different speaking panels on feminism, and women’s roles in politics. Recently Amy Seiwert curated one about female choreographers in the ballet world. There are staggering numbers of studies showing that women are way less likely than men to take leadership roles unless directly asked. Women wait to be asked to choreograph, or teach somewhere, or create a company, or talk to choreographers. Including me. What are we waiting for and why? Let’s build it.
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