Local

Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION

A whole new field

This former farm boy is finally getting a chance to dance

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 10/14/2012 10:10 AM | Comments: 0

Ian Mozdzen warms up prior to a contemporary dance class at the School of Contemporary Dance. (WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store

My favourite Winnipeg spot: the vast white studios of The School of Contemporary Dancers.

Far from where I grew up: an Interlake grain farm from 1978 to 1996.

When not in school, I drove tractors, combines, and trucks. I hand-picked rocks out of vast fields of black soil, hand-pulled weeds out of vast speciality crops, and hand-shovelled vast bushels of grain in dust-filled grain bins.

When alone? I would do one of two things: read or dance.

Read: Everything from Stephen King to Arthur Miller to Dante. This would lead to creative writing, which would lead to an honours degree in English literature.

But dance, too! Lifting choreography from dance music videos aired on CBC television programs like Video Hits and Good Rockin’ Tonight, I would devise my own dance routines. They were epic dance fits lasting hours.

My always-inspiring city-aunt, Tracy (five years my senior), was enrolled in REAL DANCE CLASSES in Winnipeg. When she visited the farm in the summer, she would choreograph dance routines for us out on the lawn and we would earnestly perform them for my family.

But, alas, it became painfully apparent dancing would never happen on the farm. Nowhere to dance or to learn to dance, especially for boys. And at school I was bullied.

No choice: I buried myself in books.

Upon leaving high school, I began to dig myself out. English lit studies turned into devised theatre studies then turned into 10 years of independent theatre work then turned into quasi-dance performances then (finally) turned into getting up the courage to audition for The School of Contemporary Dancers.

Now I’m 34. I spend more than 30 hours a week taking class and rehearsing at SCD. I take ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz, African and even a bit of tap. The majority of my fellow students are girls in their teens. Many presume this strange. I find it quite easy: We share a powerful common interest: dance.

It’s all quite amazing: my body is rapidly changing and my mind is accessing parts of myself that I nearly left for dead.

The environment of SCD makes it possible: structured and familial. The teachers are genuinely concerned for the students and work tirelessly to help us fully embody movement. And, as students, we not only work independently on our technique, but also learn from each other.

All this could not come at a better time.

By a twist of fate, I am now preparing to dance in a festival in Brooklyn, N.Y., with choreographer/dancer Alexandra Elliott.

Before I had taken any "serious" dance training, we made a dance together for a Young Lungs Dance Exchange choreographic showcase. Young Lungs is a presenter and incubator for dancers of all walks of Winnipeg life.

It’s a kind of dream come true. I’m back on the lawn with my dancing aunty Tracy here in a studio at The School of Contemporary Dancers.

Ian Mozdzen is an independent performer/creator. Recent works include Monopoly Man Pit & Dalnavert Copperfield (with visual artist/writer Doug Melnyk). He co-founded out of line theatre with Mia van Leeuwen.

Factual inaccuracy? Something missing? Help improve our journalism.

Know about news? Share your story suggestions, photos and video.

Spelling error? Punctuation problem? Send us an email if you’ve found a typo.

More Local

Undock

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.