As you know, we love artists interacting with our venue—Have you seen this clip?—so we were delighted when Zoë Goldstein, Founder and Director of Echo Modern Dance Collective, let us dig a little deeper.
This Client Spotlight gives us a glimpse at the origins and collaboration process of this nonprofit organization, which supports its company members in maintaining a dance practice in their lives while also pursuing non-dance careers and passions.
Get to know Zoë and EMDC, and experience their newest work debuting virtually February 9 and 10 at Reverb: A Film Festival.
How long have you been a professional dancer? Have you always been interested in dancing?
I first started moving as a rhythmic gymnast when I was 7, and transitioned to dance when I was 13! That is when I discovered how enthralled I was with this art form, and that fascination and love for dance has never left me.
At this point in my life, I actually don’t identify as a professional dancer. I founded Echo as a nonprofit community for seasoned dancers with multiple career pursuits, who have decided to make a living in other fields besides dance. Right now I am getting my doctorate in clinical psychology, and continue to create with Echo as the other passion in my life.
Video still by Daniel Williams
What was it about Catalyst Ranch that made it a good space for your shoot?
There is so much about Catalyst Ranch that I can rave about. Firstly, I was immediately drawn to the space when I found it online. I have been in the process of searching for venues to shoot our dance films, and nothing compares to Catalyst Ranch.
This space is genuinely unique, dynamic, and exciting, unlike the majority of spaces out there for rent. Shooting our film here added so much character to what we were doing. It truly created a rich scene for viewers, and a feeling of immersion and escape.
Catalyst Ranch has an otherworldly quality to it. Creating art there invokes a sense of fantasy that inspired my choreography and overall concept creation. Being there felt like traveling somewhere distant, intriguing, and far reaching, and I knew that I could use the space to generate that feeling in the film. Not to mention that all of the artists involved in the piece were giddy about being there. It was so special for us that we will be hosting our annual photoshoot in Catalyst Ranch! More art to come!
Photos by Taris Hoffman
How do you come up with your choreography? Are there other dancers who have inspired you over the years? Any tips and tricks on staying modern/current with the routines?
I come up with choreography by first listening to music that inspires me and allowing myself to see what arises internally. When I sense images that have strong footholds and feel interesting to me, I try casually moving to the music to see what else comes up.
If the choreography is intended for a film, I have to decide on a space that inspires me as early as I decide on the music. Once I have found that inspiring space and have an idea of the flavor of what I would like to make, I spend weeks listening to the song and working to concretize my ideas.
Throughout the process of actualizing clear movement, I continually refer back to the original color of my idea, checking back to make sure it all feels cohesive and rich to me. Creating at Catalyst Ranch helped my process immensely. The energy of space was like a springboard for my ideas and energized my creation.
I admire and draw from many choreographers, especially Ohad Naharin, Crystal Pite, Micaela G. Taylor, Alice Klock, and Florian Lochner. In terms of staying up to date, I spend a lot of time looking at both old and new work on Instagram!
Photos by Geneva Boyett, Emma Petersen
Your most recent photo and video shoot was in the Jitterbug room – do you know the Jitterbug dance? What’s your favorite traditional dance? (Tango, Samba, the Cha Cha?)
You know, I am embarrassingly uneducated on most dance styles that are not modern! I have never personally danced the Jitterbug even though I adore watching that kind of movement. In general I love watching different forms of swing dancing, but I’ve never received training in partnered dancing! Hopefully one day.
We designed Catalyst Ranch to be conducive to creativity, connection and teamwork. Can you share any rituals or tactics you use among your ensemble to encourage connection among yourselves?
It’s important for Echo dancers to spend time together and to get to know each other as people. We feel that when you have that kind of interpersonal connection with the people you are working with, the natural joy and pleasure of dancing comes easily. I am also the kind of person that values how a space feels, and I believe that a beautiful and inspiring space makes for better connection between people.
What are your goals for the future of Echo Modern Dance?
My goals for the future of Echo Modern Dance Collective is for us to continue having live shows, hopefully in larger venues as time goes on! I also hope to host our annual film festival in person at a theater one day. I am also always looking to create film and photography art in fascinating spaces. In general, I want the community to keep growing and for even more classes, workshops, and events to come from it.
Thank you, Zoë, for your time and for the artistry of the collective!
Visit Echo Modern Dance Collective at their website and @echo.modern.dance on Instagram.
Learn more about booking CR for your next video or photoshoot
