Tell us about your dance journey, when did you start to choreograph and why?
I was born in a small town in the south oh Italy, back then it was difficult to be a boy with this huge dream of becoming a professional dancer, I had to face many obstacles and predjudices but my desire to dance was so strong that I felt it like primordial instinct, it's still there,it never faded. I therefore started taking dance classes almost hiding myself, this made everything even more precious, uniquely mine. As time passed, I felt it was time to pack my bags and leave for places where I could find better opportunities; so, with very little money, I moved first to Rome and then to Reggio Emilia. Here I had the joy of meeting great artists and wonderful people who took me by the hand on a journey towards internal and professional growth, providing me with the "tools" to blossom as a true dancer. I worked for Artemis Danza, Elisa Monte dance company, Flusso dance project, Evolution dance theather, Spellbound dance company, Notre Dame de Paris(italian and asian tour). Returning from an injury during a tour in Singapore, I fly back to Italy for treatment and here I find one of my dearest teachers, Michele Merola (MMdance company),who invites me to give lessons first and then to "create" for his Agora coaching project training course. It is my first important work as a choreographer, a sort of cross-section of sicilian culture(where I come from),which underlines the vulnerability and difficulties between people interacting with foreigners and everything that is perceived as different and far from us. It's sharing, passion and curiosity that give me the strenght and energy to use "my language" to tell the audience stories about worlds that seem to divide(us) but actually unite us.
Tell us more about your experiences as a choreographer in different dance companies.
I feel blessed to have the opportunity to work and join forces with companies and training courses in Italy and abroad, among these:
-from I to a,visa 2 dance festival (Tanzania)
-Neun MP3 project (Italy)
-Terraferma Agora coaching project (Italy)
-Carneviva Balletto di Parma (Italy)
-Il rito delle tarante Delattre dance company (Germany)
-To the moon and back borderless triptyc Mn dance company (Slovenia)
You are often guest in different dance schools,how does it feel to teach to so many different dancerseverytime?
To be invited to so many schools for me it's an honor, a sign of recognition of my work; I am truly grateful to those who believe in what I do, but I also feel the responsibility to "intervene" in a transparent and respectful way in the training of my students. I don't offer shortcuts, what I try to do every day is to make them feel connected with their own story, they are the ones who create their own "fairy tale". Travelling a lot allows me to have a language that adapts to the differents needs of every student, and gives me a wider vision of what it really means to be a dancer in Italy nowadays. Everyone has an enormous potential "hidden" within academism that make us marvelous and perfect "machines" with little empathy, my invitation is to rediscover our inner child, take him by the hand and free him from superstructures.
You travel a lot on Italy,what do you think about the italian dance scene?
My country is one of the most beautiful in the world, rich in art, history and culture. We have so many talented dancers, however the lack of adequate structures and the poor support from the institutions force them to move elsewhere not feeling recognized as artists. The closure of ballet companies is a serious and tragic problem.
From where do you take inspiration for your choreographies?
It is life itself that's a source of inspiration, watching two children playing,or a couple holding hands,or a book,or finally the music itself. In each of my works there is always a part of my history, my origins, my family and my relationship with my father. I'd like, one day, to have the opportunity to show mine and my dad's beautiful world with a duet,I'm sure many would recognize each other in it.
What was the biggest challenge in your career?
I think the biggest and hardest challenge in my career was accepting this passing and turning it into something to learn from despite the pain of the loss.
What do you do when you are not working?
When I'm not busy working,I feel the absoluteneed to "isolate" myself. Usually my favorite destination is the seaside,backpack and camping tente. I love listening to the sounds of nature, a wave crashing on a rock, the wind through the leaves, everything becoms music, everything is magical.
PHOTOS: Micro e Mega Fotografie , Bianca Serena Truzzi