Meeting Ramon Del Barrio was an honor and a wonderful experience. As an artist, he was very comfortable yet aware of himself and his movements. This translated into his personality and demeanor, which is very admirable in a group of clearly uncomfortable and awkward college kids. He tried to be as uninhibited as possible, which I greatly appreciated. A free lesson with a West Side Story choreographer was just another perk. Just some simple stretches and movements got the blood flowing and the energy rising. While some of the students looked annoyed and unhappy about dancing in front of the class, it was still a good (and definitely necessary) experience because we got the chance to goof around and just enjoy moving around instead of sitting at a desk writing notes. It was a very refreshing experience.
Talking to him was wonderful because he had very developed ideas about dance (despite believing deeply in free form and spontaneity in dance). It was interesting to hear his ideas on openness in form, which translates to mind. I have actually tried to take on his philosophies, starting with doing my work while sitting up straight and being ‘open’ instead of slouching and being ‘closed’. It does actually work, especially for writer’s block. I have also tried his notions on dancing when by yourself. This works even better than sitting up straight to loosen up or just to unwind. I know that whenever I need a little boost or just want to move, I put my iTunes on shuffle and dance in my room.
He also seemed truly sincere about his love for dance. He only mentioned to us that it wasn’t about the money once and didn’t bring it up again. It was admirable because one’s career should never be solely about the money and Del Barrio emulates this. His passion for dance and laid back attitude contribute greatly to his success in the dance world, and he really is a success story. Touring with and choreographing for West Side Story, performing and essentially personifying a new character in Guys and Dolls, and being a part of Sisterella, a work by the late Michael Jackson are just a few of his credits. It was a privelege to be in the presence of Ramon Del Barrio: choreographer, dancer and part-time philosopher.
