Let's Get to Know Each Other - I'll start!

 Christahh Ahh: dancer, choreographer & Dance YYC founder

Shoutout to my Instagram-hive for the questions 😄

What is the most rewarding part of your involvement with the dance community?

All of it!

When I teach and students express their appreciation for what I’ve taught them

Receiving messages of support and appreciation for my work through Dance YYC

The reactions and interactions I’ve experienced when performing.

I have followed my gut and became truly blessed by the career I have created for myself and the effect it has on others.

 

What made you start Dance YYC? When did you take the first step?

In 2017 I was studying graphic design, expanding on my communications minor and getting well practiced in Adobe suite applications, photography and web design. This was also shortly after completing 2 years of the professional training program with Decidedly Jazz Danceworks. I was actively looking for the next opportunity in my dance training and career but the main sources of information (Facebook and Instagram) were not cutting it. Invitations I’d receive on these platforms were from my own circle and anything beyond that would show up on my timeline after the events and opportunities were over.

One day in class I thought “this would be easier if everything was organized on a calendar so I could select a day I’m free and see what the heck is happening in the community!”

And then I thought “if I could benefit from that, others probably can too.”

After reaching out to fellow creatives and discovering the Dance YYC platform would be beneficial to the broader community, I decided to utilize my dance, communications, and graphic design knowledge into creating this initiative which launched October 1, 2017.

 

What is the biggest hurdle you faced? What is one thing that has motivated you to continue?

I cannot really picture a small hurdle – they’ve all been fairly mighty in their own ways, but I’ll share 2.

1)      Running this solo; research, outreach, website coding, social media – it has just been me for awhile. My dear friend, Morgan, joined in on the chaos after a couple years and helps with research, events and is my right-hand gal in important meetings as well. I am still looking to have more people on board, especially as we are rapidly expanding!

2)      Lack of funding; much like the work going into running the organization, the funding for years has been what I could give from my pockets. I knew this going into starting Dance YYC of course, but I am living on an artist’s budget so eventually I had to put the time into exploring options for the organization to support itself in terms of programming, operation costs and additional events and supportive efforts.

Overall, one thing that keeps me motivated to continue with this initiative is the feedback and support from others in the movement arts community. As I mentioned, this was started because I figured it could help others, and hearing that is has and continues to make an impact means I am on the right track.

Photo: Rose & Range Photography - Sentient Forms

 

Do you see this initiative expanding from dance or Calgary to general arts and more nationwide?

Along with what Dance YYC does, the who it encompasses has also expanded from dance to movement arts – whether that is a specific dance style, yoga, creative movement, etc. and that will continue to be the main focus with opportunities to collaborate and support amongst other art forms. Part 2 of the question – yes. We have been talking and planning steps to use the toolkit created from Dance YYC and take it to other cities across Canada. It is a mighty endeavour and there is still a pandemic so there are not any official dates or news to share beyond that.

 

Are there other apps that offer what you do? How do you differentiate yourself?

Dance YYC is a unique set up and structure, in my research prior to launching I did not find anything like it. The closest in similarity that has come out since we launched is an app that is used exclusively in booking dance gigs across Canada whereas the Dance YYC app encompasses more elements and features that fit students, emerging artists, professionals, organizations, studios, and enthusiasts.

 

What gap do you see the app filling for the creative community?

The current platform provides the tools necessary to create real, in person results for the community – workshop or class participants, event and show attendees, responses to opportunities available. The app expands on this by also putting more control into the artists’ hands over their own practice and career. Algorithm based sites/apps take this away by making us struggle to be seen, heard, or appreciated in a meaningful way in our own community.

Any personal stories to illustrate this gap?

I could answer this with my own stories, several from other artists in the community and those that felt they had to leave to find success. Probably the simplest way I could illustrate across the board is social media followers and likes do not equate to professionalism or in person results. I have personally worked with people rocking 10,000+ Instagram followers but cannot get 20 people to attend their shows which usually means I would not get paid (**ALWAYS HAVE A CONTRACT! FREE DOWNLOAD AVAILABLE ON DANCE YYC). If you want to be Instagram famous, go off! If you want off-screen support and traction in the real world, social media cannot be the #1 tool you rely on because it simply does not work.

 

What is something/someone in your life that makes you feel the same way that dancing does?

I can confidently say there is no one and nothing that makes me feel the same way that dancing does. Closest would be music but even that doesn’t compare to moving to said music. Beyond that, each style I work in and practice (jazz, hip hop, contemporary) feel different from one another whether I’m watching or dancing it myself.