{"id":7774,"date":"2015-02-16T12:09:34","date_gmt":"2015-02-16T12:09:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dancemogul.com\/news\/?p=7774"},"modified":"2020-03-20T11:58:50","modified_gmt":"2020-03-20T15:58:50","slug":"dance-mogul-magazine-featuring-cecile-klaus-exclusive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dancemogul.com\/news\/dance-mogul-magazine-featuring-cecile-klaus-exclusive\/","title":{"rendered":"Dance Mogul Magazine featuring Cecile Klaus Exclusive"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Cecile<\/a><\/p>\n

Photo by: Alexandre Guys<\/em><\/p>\n

Dmm: <\/strong>Who and what have been your inspirations in dance and in life?
\nCecile:<\/strong><\/em> Tons of dancers would answer the same: Michael Jackson! Then music videos of the ’90s wouldn\u2019t let me go to sleep without dancing my sweat off. Later, I started training at a dance conservatory where I discovered how much I loved the pureness of modern dance. My inspiration for Skate Dance is Tayaran Robinson, a Skate Dance legend I met in London when I was 18. He was the revelation for my Skate Dance career. I loved to dance. I loved skating. I had to dance on skates.<\/p>\n

\"Cecile<\/a><\/p>\n

Photo by: Alexandre Guys<\/em><\/p>\n

Dmm: <\/strong>Was your family supportive of your choice to dance?
\nCecile:<\/strong><\/em> My dad was always. He was there at most of my performances and helped me finance all of my dance training.<\/p>\n

Dmm: <\/strong>How did you develop your craft over the years?
\nCecile:<\/strong> <\/em>When I returned from London to Paris I created my Own Skate Dance Company: The Miss’iles. With the Miss’iles I trained dancers to perform on skates, created all the choreography and costumes and performed at events. However, I still needed some serious dance training; I applied for the Alvin Ailey Certificate Program and got accepted!<\/p>\n

\"Cecile<\/a><\/p>\n

Photo by: Alexandre Guys<\/em><\/p>\n

Dmm:<\/strong> What have been some hardships you encountered while pursuing your craft?
\nCecile:<\/em><\/strong> The 3 years of the Alvin Ailey dance training program was the most beautiful experience and the best training I could have ever dreamed of, but it was the hardest time too. It was my first time traveling overseas and living by myself. I had no friends or family around and money was very scarce. The training was so exhausting that finding a job on the side was nearly impossible. Babysitting\u00a0was all I could do to get money to pay my rent. I lived in a tiny room in East Harlem and I had just enough money left to eat dollar store food. But the New York struggle is a great Life School ;).<\/p>\n

Dmm: <\/strong>What have been some of your most memorable moments with dance thus far?Cecile:<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0Every dance performance is a memorable moment! The Alvin Ailey Certificate Final Performance was amazing. I had the opportunity to show my creations at the Alvin Ailey Theater and got my Alvin Ailey Certificate. Then, I performed in Noddy the Musical and we go on tour every year in France and other countries. I performed at The Diwali Times Square Festival and also another memorable performance was Bollywood Dreams The Musical. Tickets were sold out; that show was epic! And every time I perform Skate Dance with my team, The Miss\u2019iles, we have a blast. We are sometimes booked abroad. It\u2019s fun to travel with your team. I get to perform in great music videos too, like Avicii You Make Me.<\/p>\n

Dmm:<\/strong> How are you using your gifts to give back to the community?
\nCecile:<\/strong> <\/em>I teach dance and skating in NYC public schools. I teach Skate Dance for skaters or dancers in Paris and New York. I also create street modern dance pieces and Skate Dance shows for different kinds of events.<\/p>\n

Dmm: <\/strong>What advice do you have for the next generation of dancers?
\nCecile:<\/strong><\/em> Being versatile is the key. You can’t just stick to one type of training if you want to be a complete dancer. You do have to eat a little bit of everything, but you should still master one specialty.<\/p>\n

Dmm: <\/strong>What do you have planned for 2015?
\nCecile:<\/strong><\/em> I’m flying to France for the first French edition of the Got to Dance talent show. I got invited to perform with my Skate Dance team. I just finished creating an hour-long show about the history of Skate Dance that I am starting to promote. Besides that, I am still working with different modern dance, Hip Hop and Bollywood companies for upcoming performances in New York.<\/p>\n

\"SONY<\/a><\/p>\n

Photo by:<\/strong>\u00a0Cyril Nguyen<\/p>\n

Dmm: <\/strong>Where do you see yourself 10 years from now within the arts?
\n<\/strong>Cecile:<\/strong><\/em> I want to be busy dancing for companies worldwide. I compose music and I always wanted to create a whole ballet choreography with all my piano works. I must find the time to accomplish this. As for Skate Dance, I’d like to develop it more, choreograph and perform for more big artists or have my show booked worldwide!<\/p>\n

Dmm:<\/strong> Is there anyone you want to thank for helping you on your journey?
\n<\/strong>Cecile:<\/strong><\/em> My dad and my brother are my precious closest family: My dad for his support, my brother for his great advice.\u00a0Tayaran Robinson who inspired me and changed my life. RIP. The Miss\u2019iles, especially Ines & Mandy, the main company members that always stick with me no matter how crazy are the situations that I put us into.<\/p>\n

\"Cecile<\/a><\/p>\n

Photo by:\u00a0Nicolas Lo<\/em><\/p>\n[vc_row][vc_column]