10 Questions With…Dionna PridGeon

March 12, 2010 in 10 Questions With..., 4dancers, 4teachers

Today we have a dancer that I know and adore as our feature…Dionna PridGeon. Before the interview, I thought I’d share her bio with 4dancers readers…she’s a pretty impressive lady…

Dionna PridGeon is a graduate of Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA. She received her B.A. in Dance, May 2004. Her recognitions include: tour scholarships from Monsters of Hip Hop and The Pulse On Tour  – Protégé Award, Mia Michaels/Wild Dance Intensive, Millennium Dance Complex, and the Future Star Award issued by Dance Spirit Magazine. She works closely with Pillow Project Dance Company in Pittsburgh, PA. And currently, she is Resident Choreographer for Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre and Teaching Artist for Hubbard Street Dance Center and The Joffrey Ballet. Her more recent credits include: Black Nativity at the Goodman Theatre, Thodos Dance Chicago - New Dances, Coachella – Palm Springs Music Fest, Dancejam.com/Jessi Malay Showcase in Orlando, FL, Dance Chicago ’08, Monsters of Hip Hop – The Show ’09, Chicago Sinfonietta @ Orchestra Hall.

1. How did you get involved with dance and what is your background in it?

Started my training my freshman year in college (Barat College) – my mom found the school and I didn’t know anything about going to college for dance.

I went to Barat for 2 years – never got accepted in the Dance Conservatory . . . later, Barat was bought out by another school and I had to transfer. I was auditing lots of dance classes at the time and Julie Cartier (my jazz/tap teacher), suggested that I go to Point Park University . . . I auditioned, got accepted with a scholarship and ended up receiving my B.A. in Dance (emphasis in Contemporary Jazz).

After I graduated, I fell into a hip hop company (Dance 2xs) and began training with them for some ? years . . . and other training has just come from ALWAYS going to workshops, conventions, and taking classes (whenever I’m not teaching.)

2. Tell me a little about your performance background and any highlights you would like to share.

I still don’t feel like I’ve done anything GRAND yet, the only things that come close to that are: 

Most recently, this year – The Chicago Sinfonietta @ Orchestra Hall Chicago with Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre and this summer, Monsters of Hip Hop – the show ’09 @ El Portal Theatre in Los Angeles. 

Other than that – I owe Point Park everything, for the amazing choreographers who I was able to work with while attending there, including Lou Conte, Daniel Ezralow, Robert Battle, Margo Sappington, Doug Bentz, Keisha Llama- White, etc. 

3. How did you get involved with teaching and what are you currently doing with that?

I received my job at Hubbard Street through Claire Bataille. Both Claire and Lou Conte came and set a piece at Point Park University, in which I was chosen to be soloist . . . in “The 40′s.”

After I graduated, I made sure to send my resume to as many studios in the city of Chicago as possible. And Hubbard Street was the first one to give me a chance in teaching for their education program. Later on I was asked to sub classes at Lou Conte Dance Studio, and after 6yrs of being there now – I have 6 classes! 

I feel like I’ve had my hand in a majority of the studios in Chicago, plus suburbs . . . I’ve tried very hard to stay in my field and seek for people to know who I am - 

Currently, I teach at Hubbard Street, Joffrey Ballet, and North Shore School of Dance - 16 classes/wk, on occasions, Company Classes for Cerqua Rivera and I sub at Visceral Dance Center. 

4. I have seen you dance and one thing that shines through is your love for it. How do you let that out for people to see?

There’s a quote that was stated by Mia Michaels when I was at the Pulse Convention, last year . . . “I am – who I am . . . no apologies.” At this point in my life, this quote is something that I truly believe in. Though, in the simplest way possible – I’m able to channel all of my past life experiences, more negative, than positive, which helps me to connect to the music that I’m dancing too. And it also gives me a reason as to WHY my heart is so “in it.” I feel what I feel and I try to be “in the moment,” through the movement. 

5. What is the greatest challenge you face as a dancer?

I have 2 – lack of flexibility and having a “late start.” 

6. What do you dream of doing?

I don’t know . . . everyone always has huge goals, not me. I guess I would say for people in the industry to know who I am . . . through my efforts as an artist. However, I would LOVE to do Cirque du Soleil or teach in another country.

7. Do you have any favorite dancers?

Too many to name . . . 

8. How do you inspire students?

I don’t know. People tell me that I’m inspiring all the time, but I don’ t believe that I’m there yet. Though, I can say that I’m the best with teens and helping them find themselves . . . “Who are you? You have to find out who you are through movement and why you get up every day and take class.”  Overall, I REALLY like to push people beyond their comfort level – I’m good at that. But I think what helps a lot of dancers is when I introduce them or give them another perspective of why IMPROV is soooooo important. 

9. What is the best piece of technique advice you have ever heard?

“Get on your leg! Just do it!” lol

Not to second guess yourself, just go for it and DON’T be timid about it.

The teachers I learned the most from “technically” – yelled or were firm and didn’t settle for less than . . .  

10. What do you have coming up on the horizon in terms of your career?

I DO NOT KNOW AT ALL . . . I’m in transition right now in my career. I’m at the ripe age of 28, which is such a difficult time. I’m in between both worlds, concert and commercial. Many say that my years are over for concert dance, but others say I should move to LA. I just want my “big break” because I’VE WORKED SO HARD FOR IT! All I DO KNOW is that I want to explore dance on an international level – never been out of the country and to gain another perspective on my art would be SO fulfilling.

Tags: cerqua rivera, claire bataille, concert dance, dionna pridgeon, hubbard street dance company, joffrey ballet, lou conte, mia michaels, north shore school of dance, point park university, visceral dance center