May 18, 2021
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Clara Superfine, a dancer with the Dutch National Ballet in Amsterdam. Clara, a North Carolina native, attended the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School and danced with the American Ballet Theater Studio Company for one year prior to joining the Dutch National Ballet. Clara is also an avid illustrator and showcases her work through the Superfine Collective, which merges design and ballet.
Over the past year, Clara has realized that dancers must exercise their voices as well as they do their bodies. Determined to use art to empower herself and others, Clara has set out a path to connect with dancers globally who are engaged in activism and who want to ensure more diversity and inclusion in the dance world. On the podcast, Clara discusses her belief that artists have the responsibility to drive change in their respective fields — something that she, herself, is seeking to do with ballet.
Moving Quotes:
"Artists must be at the forefront of change in their artform. I truly believe in the power that we have, as artists, to make an impact on our society. That we can be change makers."
"Every day, I ask myself, 'What do I want from this day? Do you love it still?' Because the dance world can be very difficult. And the thing that makes me most proud is that I still love to move. And I seek to discover something new, rather than just being successful."
"I feel inspired by my work. I love dance more than ever. And I look forward to going into the theater every day."
"As a dancer growing up in the dance world, it's really important to stay open to all different theories and teaching forms and techniques... I try to keep myself in a constant learning state."
"When auditioning, the number one thing is trusting yourself and being confident in what you know and what you're doing... Trust that you've done the work and these companies would be lucky to have you."
"I just want to be true to my dance and why I love to dance. I just want to share myself through this beautiful artform."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
2:38: Clara walks through her entire journey from humble North Carolina to the Dutch National Ballet.
6:08: Clara describes her experience adapting to a completely different nation and culture at the young age of 19.
9:54: Superfine shares some wisdom around adapting to a new dance company, particularly one in a foreign country or location.
11:59: Superfine gives some advice around making sure your auditions are memorable and effective.
13:09: Clara, an avid learner, shares her thoughts on the one key component to learning as a dancer.
15:22: Clara gives some advice for staying healthy while traveling on tour.
18:18: Superfine, who is also an illustrator, discusses her other passion, the Superfine Collective, where she merges design and illustration with ballet and dance.
21:23: Clara discusses her efforts towards furthering diversity and inclusion in the world and, specifically, within the world of dance.
25:37: Superfine shares what she is most proud of from her entire career thus far.
28:37: Clara looks towards the future and shares some general and specific goals for herself.
Bullet List of Resources –
Clara Superfine
Dutch National Ballet
Superfine Collective