Meet Iana | Binford Dance Company Feature | Year Five
The Binford Dance Company was established in 2016. It is an audition-based student dance company from Binford Middle School, an arts integrated school located in Richmond, VA. Company members study Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Improvisation, and Composition within the Binford dance program. The company has performed throughout the community including: The 2019 Superintendent’s State of the Schools Address, Generation Dream, Richmond Public Schools Fine Arts Festival, Strawberry Street Festival, Appomattox Regional Governor’s School for the Arts and Technology, Petersburg Home for Ladies, and Cedarfield Retirement Community. The company also had the opportunity to perform in the music videos “Have It All” and “Love Is Still The Answer” by Jason Mraz. The Binford Dance Company inspires students to find their own voice through performance and choreography while learning valuable skills in the rehearsal process including collaboration, respect, and confidence.
This year the company dancers chose a word and in studio executed their word through movement, costume and set color and design.
MEET Iana
AMBITIOUS
Hi there, my name is Iana. I'm in 8th grade and I've been dancing ever since I can remember. Dating back to some of the earliest years of my life, I've only been dancing. Now some may say, “That seems so repetitive!” Or a common question is, “Do you ever get tired of dancing?” My simple answer is no. I've tried other sports like soccer, track, and basketball. No other sport has had my complete dedication or peaked my interest like dance has.
My dance journey hasn't been easy in the slightest. I'm not a natural talent. I had to work hard to learn the technique I have now. Even still it's not perfect, but my progress is steady and consistent. The learning never stops. There's always something more I can learn or something I can get better at. A lot of my motivation comes from my mother, Tamara. She is always the person I turn to when I either burn out or I hit a thing I like to call ‘Dancer’s block’. This is when I just become exhausted, I can't think of any new ideas for choreography, or if I'm struggling to find motivation. She's definitely my biggest fan. I want to become good for her.
I started dancing when I was around 2. It started off as simple ballet classes once or twice a week. When I was around 6 I took a break from dance for around a year, and that whole time the only thing on my mind was dance. I wanted to go back. That's when I found the studio I'm at now. I've made tremendous progress within the past 4-6 years. Despite all the good times and memories that dance brings me, it comes with its struggles and weaknesses. I can get burned out so quickly if I don't make a schedule for myself. It can be exhausting. Spending hours and hours at the studio every week obviously takes a toll on your body.
Dancing at Binford has opened my eyes and sparked that ever-burning flame and passion I have for dance. I owe a lot of that to my dance teachers, Ms. Perkinson and Ms. Faith. When they have helped me become comfortable with myself as a dancer, my confidence has steadily grown, along with my skills. I owe a lot to them. Now that I'm about to go into high school, I’m hungry to learn more. I want to experience and be taught more. I know I can't stay where I am forever, but that means I’ll just keep growing. I know this because I get the opportunity to go to my dream high school, Appomattox Regional Governor's School for the Arts and Technology. This is a huge accomplishment for me and will be extremely beneficial for so many reasons as a choreographer, dancer, and a student. I've enjoyed my time at Binford and I've learned so much about the type of dancer I am. Going to an arts integrated school isn't an opportunity a lot of people get to have. I'm very grateful for everyone who's helped me on my dance journey and has helped me to get where I am now.
IANA, 8TH GRADE
