October 2022
Dear Cal Poly Arts Friends,
Welcome to our first e-newsletter of the year! With our 2022-2023 season having just kicked off, there is much to be excited about. October is full of fantastic performances that span across diverse genres – there’s truly a bit of something for everyone. I hope to see you at the PAC to take it all in with us! We hope this newsletter gives you the chance to enjoy behind-the-scenes insights and interviews with artists and Cal Poly Arts team members throughout the year, as well as other specialized content that will inspire the artist inside all of us.
Sincerely,
Molly Clark
Director
Macias and Masterclasses: An Insight into Cal Poly Arts Student and Community Engagement Programs
By Abigail O'Branovich
– 2nd year Journalism Major and Cal Poly Arts intern
For our first newsletter, I wanted to highlight someone who plays an important role on the Cal Poly Arts (CPA) staff. Coralee Macias, CPA’s Programming and Development Specialist, shared her passion for her work in the community and her excitement for the upcoming season.
Coralee Macias
Macias attended Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas TX. She fell in love with the dance art form and wanted to pursue it going forth. Similar to Cal Poly Arts, her highschool program offered masterclasses that exposed her to a multitude of artists and talent that enriched her experiences.
Cal Poly Arts offers many programs and ways for students and the San Luis Obispo community to get involved beyond attending the public performances. For example, Macias and I discussed the importance of masterclasses and how they can benefit anyone – at any skill level.
Q: For those who have never attended one, in your own words, how would you describe a dance masterclass?
A: A masterclass is the opportunity for developing artists to learn from a “master” in the field. A wonderful thing about them is they can all be very, very different depending on the artist teaching the masterclass. Oftentimes the class will learn a new piece of choreography together or learn about the movement styles and vocabulary of a specific dance company. Some classes are for beginner level - no dance experience necessary. Our masterclasses are meant more for someone who does have some intermediate dance experience. However, that shouldn't intimidate someone interested in joining. Just come in, ready to move!
Sometimes during a master class we learn a little bit of choreography and perform it for each other and then divide up into groups and watch other people perform it so you can learn from other dancer’s style or how they do something. Come in with an open mind. There will be feedback and opportunity to learn.
Q: What do you feel is the importance of a master class?
A: For me growing up as a dancer you're taking technique classes daily. I had fabulous teachers and that's so wonderful. The connection you're able to make with your teacher – personalized critiques and constructive criticism they give are super helpful – but there's also something really great about bringing in and working with someone who you don't work with on a regular basis. You get to expand the horizons of the kinds of styles that you're exposed to. And then you also get this really cool insight into whatever company they're dancing for or there to represent. I think having a combination of both – your teacher that you always work with and then these master classes where you can come in and be exposed to different things – is important for a dancer's growth.
Q: What was the best masterclass that you have taken?
A: That's really difficult to say. I was able to take a masterclass from Robert Battle, who later became the Director of Alvin Ailey. He had his own company and we were able to learn little excerpts from some of his pieces. During that masterclass, I just remember connecting really well with it, because one of my teachers danced at his company previously, so I had learned a little bit about his style through her.
Looking back on it more than 10 years later, it's really cool to see where he's gone. But similar to our situation at Cal Poly Arts, my highschool classes were absolutely free for anyone. People on Cal Poly's college campus who may or may not be dance minors can benefit from the master classes. It is also open to community members, you don't have to be a Cal Poly student to participate in our masterclasses.
Q: Do you have a favorite masterclass that has been done at Cal Poly Arts? And do you like to attend the masterclasses?
A: My favorite master class last year was Lula Washington Dance Theater. The Artistic Director herself, Lula Washington, gave a masterclass and it was the first one we did after the pandemic. There was just something about the energy in that room that was so joyful. Everybody was excited to be there together and this beautiful community was formed. Just moving and sharing an experience. That was really beautiful.
There were some Cal Poly football players who attended because they were part of a dance appreciation course. They came but they said, ‘No, we're not going to dance, we're just going to observe and write a response for their dance appreciation course.’ But Lula Washington had other plans. They watched most of the class but by the end, they were dancing. There was a big dance circle and they were part of it – some would go to the middle and Lula just got everyone in that room to move with joy.
Q: Do you like to attend the masterclasses?
You're actually hitting on something – I should jump in and take class! I should come ready to move and if for some reason something's just not working because I'm not a practicing dancer anymore, I can step to the side. So, I'm toying with the idea that I might step into our next masterclass. Because I believe in the power and joy of moving together in the room.
Q: What can people expect from the upcoming Malpaso Dance Company?
A: I was able to see Malpaso when I lived in Dallas. I was just struck by the level of their dancers and how beautiful and precise they were. As well as those Cuban voices that they were amplifying.
Students, with proof of Cal Poly ID, can purchase show tickets for $15 at the Cal Poly ticket office.
