Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Wurz.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I did not always know I was going to be a dancer. When I was a kid that’s just what little girls did and my Mom put me in class. From there a passion grew while my teachers kept telling my mom that there was something there.
I am from NYC and classically trained in ballet and modern dance. Originally from the Bronx I started my training at the Bronx Dance Theater. I later attended the NYC High School of Performing Arts (The “Fame” school 🙂 After school I would take the train down to the Joffrey Ballet School and continue to train.
I finished my formal dance education with a B.F.A. in dance at the University of Hartford, Hartt School in Connecticut. My instructor suggested that I go and dance for Jean Issacs. So after graduation I moved to SD that summer to attend a SDDT workshop.
Through networking and taking classes, I was introduced to Eugenia Keefer of NWB. I started teaching ballet for her and performing regularly. I worked there alongside Coral Bruni where we would imagine one day running the studio together. When I moved to teach at another studio after 5 years I thought I would never see that place again. About 10 years go by and I get a call out of the blue from Coral. NWB needed a Dew Drop for their Nutcracker and I jumped at the chance to help my first west coast dance family.
At that point I was feeling like I needed more and my job was not fulfilling me like it once had. I felt at home at NWB and at one rehearsal Ms. Keefer confided in me that she wanted to retire. I told her I was not happy where I was. Coral and I just like we had imagined all those years before started putting plan to purchase the studio. We bought it February of 2015 and have been going strong ever since.
In that time I also reconnected with Faith Jensen-Ismay after doing a project for SDDT that she was in, but that story will not make this brief 🙂
Please tell us about your art.
When choreographing, the journey I take with my dancers is one of the best parts of creating. Starting with a small spark of an idea and making something incredible is an amazing feeling. That journey we all take together ultimately pours out into the performance and (hopefully) reaches people. As an artist I try to connect on the human level. I try to make someone feel something or open their mind someway.
I want people to come to a NWB production and be surprised and delighted that ballet can be approachable and enjoyable for any and all. We have a wide range from classical to contemporary when it comes to our productions.
I also inspire the next generation of ballet dancers. Teaching is a big part of my art life. The kids fuel me as much as I fuel them. It is a great synergy to have all of this love and passion swirling around me.
As an artist, how do you define success and what quality or characteristic do you feel is essential to success as an artist?
I define success in happiness. I want to feel happiness inside myself that I accomplished my vision. I don’t what it takes to succeed as an artist because I don’t know if the outside world thinks I am successful. It is all about one’s perspective. I have success because I am living the life I want. All I know is that I am doing my thing over here and I am going to keep doing it.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Usually in the Spring we hold small shows right at our studio.
We also perform our Nutcracker at PCPA during Thanksgiving weekend.
Our summer productions are at the end of June and are usually at the Maxine Theater in Valley Center.
Currently we have AMAZON SMILE: Help support NWB, when you #StartWithaSmile, Amazon donates 0.5% of the purchase price to New West Ballet, Inc. Bookmark the link http://smile.amazon.com/ch/47-319777 and support every time you shop. You can also go to http://smile.amazon.com and make NWB as your non-profit that you are going to donate to.
Our dancers love performing for the public. Come to one of our shows and support ballet!
Also a couple of times per year we will perform within the community at local city events and local retirement homes.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1215 Linda Vista Drive Suite B
San Marcos Ca 92078 - Website: www.NewWestBallet.com
- Phone: 7605256738
- Email: newwestballet@gmail.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/NewWestBallet/?hl=en
- Facebook: Facebook.com/NewWestBallet
Image Credit:
2nd Picture in Left column photo credit Samath Orm
3rd Picture in Left Column Photo credit: Robin Winkowski
4th Picture in Left Column Photo credit: Mojalet Dance Collective
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