Meet the Dancers PART 2: We are FUZE
BY EMILY WIGHAM
MEET THI-AN
I spoke to Thi-An, contemporary Goddess and another FUZE veteran. We love returning cast members in this house. Zoom backgrounds are a staple mode of expression these days, and Thi-An’s purple led lights truly set the mood.
When did you first start dancing?
I don’t really remember, but I think it’s when I moved to the UK with my family when I was about 3 or 4. My parents put both me and my sister into dance lessons; ballet, jazz, the classical stuff. I pretty much danced all the way up to my A-levels and then took a year out before going to university, even when I came to Uni I became a typical fresher and got caught up in everything. I kind of forgot about dancing, so I only really started again during lockdown.
What is it about dance that makes you feel good?
Dance is a form of expression. When I think of dancing I relate it to my love of music. When I was younger the music wasn’t that important because it was always the same song for the same exercise, but now I always relate music and dancing together so it’s like letting the music move your body, and being able to put all your energy into it. It gets my mind off things, so it’s a good way to escape. It’s also a really effective way of storytelling, you can put so many emotion into it, make a picture that paints a thousand words (she laughs knowingly at her cliché).
Thi-An, Dancer
You mentioned a lot of classical training, but now you do contemporary, tell me about it.
That’s what I started with this year, but I think that’s what I always loved. I never had the best technique for all the classical dancing but recently having taken the classes in Bristol I’ve been really enjoying more upbeat dancing like commercial and stuff, but I think contemporary is my main love.
Why did you join FUZE? What do you like about it/what drew you to it?
I’ve watched FUZE every year since I came to uni and its basically everything I love combined into one show, it’s amazing. Especially this year, we’re really trying to see how far we can go, not just do what’s typical of a fashion show, or a dance show.
Also, obviously it’s for charity which is so amazing, especially this year I feel like we’re really reaching out to advertise the charity aspect of the show. Also the main thing every year when you watch it is that there’s such a good atmosphere, everyone hypes each other up so much and it’s so supportive.
MEET MARGARET
My next interview was with Parisian icon Margaret, a charismatic new addition to FUZE. She completely outdid me on the outfit front, dressed like a boss in sharp white shirt and the classic French red lip.
When did you first start dancing?
As cliché as it sounds I started dancing when I was born. When my mum was pregnant with me she used to listen to music and dance a lot with my dad, and so as soon as I could I got into the rhythm. As a toddler I was always bopping about, so that’s how it all started.
Then when I really could start dancing and take classes I did all the basics, ballet, tap, at one point I did African style as I lived in Cameroon, then I really got into hip hop and contemporary.
What is it about dance that makes you feel good?
Ultimately it’s the power of expression, feeling free, getting lost in your movements and in your head and just listening to music. Whether you’re doing choreography or being spontaneous and just dancing, you’re telling a story. That’s one of the things I love; how much expression you can put into it, how much emotion. You can tell if someone is dancing out of happiness, sadness or anger, which is something I love getting lost into.
Do you have any dance heroes or figures you admire? what about them do you admire?
I have 2 dancers, or technically three since one set are twins, that I admire. The first is Michael Dameski. He’s an amazing Australian contemporary dancer who won So you Think You Can Dance. He is amazing; his technique, his style, and his strength when he dances is breath-taking.
The others are Les Twins, are two twins, (I think the fact there’s two is a given, she realises this and gives a small laugh) from France who dance in the hip hop style, they won the first season of World of Dance. I really admire their technique, their flow and the way they can isolate movements.
What are your favourite things about living in Bristol? Do you feel at home here?
Bristolians tend to have very strong expressions with what they wear and who they are, you can tell they like to wear who they are on their sleeves. I love the fact that Bristol is so free and that you see so many different people around; there isn’t just one box, people know they aren’t going to be judged and they can be who they are. That’s very refreshing.
Why did you join FUZE? What do you like about it/what drew you to it?
I heard about FUZE from one of the dance directors Styli, and it really intrigued me because I wanted to dance outside of university. So FUZE was a good way to meet other dancers, to hear stories especially during this time with COVID-19, but also to get out of my comfort zone and start something new. It gives students an opportunity to showcase their work, their art. The fact FUZE is in aid of charity on top of that, and it actually stands for something important.
MEET STYLI
Speaking of Styli, he’s up next. One of our incredible Dance Directors of FUZE 2021, Cypriot powerhouse and FUZE lifer, spoke to Cara about his love of dance.
What is it about dance that makes you feel good?
When I first started it was just a hobby to just fill my evenings. My mum signed me up to some dance classes and it ended up helping me out of my shell and allowed me to meet so many amazing people through the years. Some of us still talk to this very day and I call them my best friends, even family.
I have met so many people and it's such a social hobby but eventually dance started becoming more of a therapy. If I'm having a bad day at work or whatever, I’ll book a dance class and know it will make me feel better, just something about dance helps me unwind and relieve stress.
Styli, Dancer
Do you have any dance heroes or figures that you admire? What about them is it that you admire?
My dance idol would be Zacc Milne, he is an incredibly unique performer and choreographer based in Ireland that managed to achieve so much on an international level. There is just something about the way his body moves. Apart from Zacc, Parris Goebel obviously. I don’t even know how to describe that woman; she is just phenomenal, diverse, iconic.
I actually met Parris Goebel a few years ago in London and watched her perform live. I never thought I would get see someone I admire so much perform live on stage. Although I'm inspired by a lot of choreographers like Todd Williamson, Jojo Gomez, Hamilton Evans or Nicole Kirkland. There’s just so many people on the dance scene I admire but those two are probably my favourite ones.
Styli, Dancer
Why did you join FUZE? What do you like about it and what drew you to FUZE?
I have done quite a few gigs as a performer but FUZE was something that I never expected. I joined FUZE back in 2018 and it was literally one of the best experiences I ever had as a dancer and performer. Starting from the people that you meet, to the show itself, it’s just so diverse and everyone involved is so passionate.
I joined FUZE this year as a co-dance director because performing at FUZE was not enough for me, I wanted to do more. I felt like I had the need to further be involved with FUZE and create my own pieces and watch something that has my signature come alive on stage (and so it will, date TBC).
What are your favourite things about living in Bristol? Do you feel at home here
Easy. I love going for brunch whether it's bottomless brunch (iconic) or just coffee. Bristol has so much character as a city that I'm pretty sure it is hard to compare it to any other city that I’ve been to. From the old Victorian houses to all the artsy roads in Stokes Croft. I actually appreciate Bristol more during lockdown to be honest with all the walking I’ve been doing. Walking around and finding cool places is so refreshing and eye opening. Bristol definitely feels more home than Cyprus hence why I chose to stay here after my studies and pretty much pursue a career here.
Alice, Videographer and Sophie, Director and Editor
MEET JOSÉ
Lastly, and a little harder to track down is the elusive José, as spontaneous in his talents as in his email correspondence. While being a brand new addition not only to FUZE but to Bristol in recent months, he has slotted into the family with ease.
How has being in Bristol influenced your relationship with dance?
Well I used to dance in Paris and then later moved to the South of France for work, and moved once again to Bristol. I think in France I was more shy, I would say. More focused on what people would think about me. But in moving here, to a place where nobody knows me, simply receiving what people think about me and knowing that it is 100% frank because they don't know me at all, has given me strength.
Why did you join FUZE? What do you like about it/what drew you to it?
Me and my girlfriend just moved here 3 months ago, and we were new in Bristol. What pleased me a lot about FUZE was its artistic way of presenting, it was cultivated and I felt that. When I saw FUZE on Instagram I knew I wanted to share my dance, and share with people that were involved in such a creative endeavour, so that's why I auditioned.
José, Dancer
What are your favourite things about living in Bristol? Do you feel at home here?
I would say that moving here wouldn't have been possible without lockdown, but the COVID situation makes it quite complicated to connect with people. For example I am quite sad because I tach at Motion Studio here, but now it is remote. As well as with FUZE, everything is remote so where joined wanting to connect with people in person, everything is moving slower. However I know that this city has a power, a vibration.
I feel that because of the mixed culture, the people are really nice and even if all events are postponed (hopefully not for long) I saw there were a lot of things that would have been here without lockdown, so I am just waiting for things to get better.
So I’m 50/50 but not at the fault of Bristol, the situation makes it complicated to see people, have a drink, have a rehearsal or go to eat something. But I’m quite happy to be here because it was something we (him and his girlfriend, another FUZE cast member) planned to do, go abroad and we talked about the UK and then Bristol, so I'm happy.
José, Dancer
Do you have any dance heroes or figures you admire? What about them do you admire?
I would say one of my past teachers Edouard Lavelle. I am impressed with how he knows dance, and can describe it while he teaches. I like when things are consistent and well understood, it's the thing I like about him a lot, also he taught me a lot about flow. I improved myself a lot during the years I was with him.
However, I would say thought that I’m not really a fan of dancers or artists in general, even if I like what they're doing I am more focused on myself. It's not that I am not humble (he truly is humble, but needn’t be with the talent pouring from him), it's more that I don't feel the need to be a fan of people. I inspire myself a lot and want to be more focused on things that are changing in my own body.
Go check out the full video featuring Hugo, Munio, Thi-An, Styli and Nikita, now on Youtube.
Director/Editor: @scherryvisuals
Video: @alicesuttonphotography
Styling: @elsarae
Dancers: @soer_h, @munio_khn, @your_majesthi, @styli.o, @nikitahg_
Interviewers: @wigsybaby and @carachamberlain1
