Honoured to be able to share a moment with my dear friend and constant inspiration, Blake. Blake has been a constant driving energy in the dance industry and my life for many years. I first met Blake in Cardiff, Newcastle when he approached me after class and asked if I could stay back so he could workshop some choreography in the studio. 9:30pm, school night.. no worries. Blake knew no limits then and see's no limits now as he paves his way in the commercial dance industry and beyond.
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF
My name is Blake & I am a Sydney-based dancer / choreographer / instructor. I grew up in Newcastle and my parents enrolled me in dance classes at the age of six. Just after graduating high school, I relocated to Sydney and studied fulltime dance for two years, finishing with an Advanced Diploma in Performing Arts. I worked hard to establish myself here and have since been fortunate enough to work with some incredible clients, artists & students over the years. I really feel that this community is exactly where I belong, and I hope to continue broadening my scope of work for years to come.
WHEN DID YOU REALISE YOUR TALENTS AS A CHOREOGRAPHER AND WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO EXPLORE YOUR STYLE?
I don’t recall there ever being one definitive moment when I realised I wanted to choreograph, although I was certainly experimenting as a teenager & began to unlock more of that capacity while I was in fulltime dance training. I have always been a very curious person & my choreographic style is continually evolving. It’s all about trial & error. I know my niche and I aim to be distinguishable, but I also don’t want to box myself into one thing.
WHO AND WHAT ARE YOUR BIGGEST ARTISTIC INFLUENCES AND HOW DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION?
POP FOREVER. Nothing excites me more than a glossy pop/R&B music video and a strong female vocal (haha). Women, generally speaking, inspire me most & I may be biased but I am pretty damn lucky to be surrounded by some of the most powerful, most resilient women out there. Choreographically, much of the movement I create is catered to/envisioned for a female and I will usually workshop my pieces on one of girls in the studio before I set it.
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO CREATE AND HOW DO YOU MOVE PAST THE FEAR OF SELF DOUBT AND TAKE ACTION?
The main motivation behind my creativity is the impulse to share & connect, but also because I love it and feel called to do so. The self-doubt part is a work in progress! We are living in a digital age and it’s easy to get caught up in the drama of comparison and assumption. I do fall into this trap at times, though my awareness is expanding and I am committed to growing with it & becoming more conscious of self-limiting thoughts. Having said that, social media is an incredible tool if we know what we are dealing with!
WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST STRUGGLE OF WORKING IN THE INDUSTRY OR ART AND PERFORMANCE?
The most challenging aspect of working in this industry is probably the inconsistency of it all. Jobs can be few & far between at times, so you’ve got to hold yourself accountable and stay proactive, all the while making time to be human above all else.
HOUSE OF SCULPT IS ALL ABOUT CREATING RITUALS AND INDULGING IN MOVEMENT. DO YOU HAVE ANY DAILY RITUALS AND HOW HAS MOVEMENT SERVED YOU BEYOND THE STUDIO?
I meditate on a daily basis. I’ll also always have a great book handy and will journal when I feel called to. Dance has done SO much for me beyond the studio - it has taught me about discipline, the value of teamwork and has kept my body strong.