May Newsletter

 PLGDC Unity Shout Out:
Nicholas Losada

We celebrate the phenomenal achievements and thank the many Miami artists, former students, and mentees of Peter London, who have returned to Miami often to perform and create commissioned cutting-edge choreography for PLGDC over the past twelve years, and our artists, friends, and advisors. We could not do it without you! We wish you continued blessings of success and look forward to your trail-blazing artistry.

Bio

Nicholas Losada began his training at the Miami Conservatory of Ballet (now Armour Dance Theater) under Mariana Alvarez. He then attended the dance program in the high school of New World School of the Arts where he continued his ballet training with Gerard Ebitz, Arnold Quintane, and Lara Murphy, as well as training in the classical modern techniques with Peter London and Bambi Anderson. After graduation, he moved to San Francisco to study in the San Francisco Ballet School where he was chosen to perform in works with the company. In 2012 he joined the junior company of the Bavarian State Ballet and joined the main company in 2014. While there, he performed works by George Balanchine, Pina Bausch, Jiří Kylián, John Neumeier and many others. One of his greatest moments while with BSB was when he danced the role of “Puck” in Neumeier’s A Midsummer’s Night Dream. From 2018 to 2020, he danced with Gauthier Dance in Stuttgart and performed works by Ohad Naharin, Hofesh Schechter, and William Forsythe, among others. After spending one season again with the Bavarian State Ballet where he danced in the livestream of Sharon Eyal’s Bedroom Folk, he then joined Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch in September 2021. Since then, he has had the privilege to tour and perform all over the globe in the iconic works of Bausch, including Vollmond, Kontakthof, Cafe Müller, Palermo Palermo, among many others.

Q & A

How did you get into dance? What were the challenges?

I was always copying the routines from different pop artists I’d see on MTV when I was little but I really got into dance after a young lady came to my elementary after school care program and presented herself to the students asking if we wanted to partake in ballet lessons. She gave us a permission slip to have our parents sign, which I gave to my mother and when she read the slip, she was so surprised that she looked up & said “ballet lessons, you want to take ballet lessons?!” And I answered “yes, and I need ballet slippers too”. That’s when my dance journey took off and has ever since been the center of my life.

I would say the main challenges I had growing up were dealing with bullying as I started dance, especially in elementary and middle school, and then later on connecting with my inner self to understand how to truly use my body properly in order to get my technique to the level it needed to be to pursue a career in classical ballet.

How did you overcome those challenges to realize your dream to be a professional dancer?

I was able to overcome them fortunately with the never ending support from my mother & the support system of my dance programs. My mother was behind me no matter what and always tried to help me understand that the bullying was just products of ignorance in the sense that when you don’t follow the norm (especially with what many parts of the world place on what “little boys & girls should or shouldn’t do”) that people can easily feel the need to point out those differences & even feel superior or the need to belittle others for not going with the norm. It was a very difficult beginning for me and it took until high school for it to stop, but fortunately my mother’s unconditional love was always enough to balance out the negatives of bullying. Plus, no one could stop me from dancing.

What has been your experience as a professional dancer, and what are some of the highlights?

I must say that I have been incredibly fortunate in my career to have been in the right places at the right times. Starting with a beautiful experience in the junior company of the Bavarian State Ballet in Munich, I made friendships with other young, highly talented artists who were aspiring to become full professionals and although I was in a classical ballet company, the respect and adoration for contemporary and modern repertoire was just as valued. Then when I joined the main company, although it was a great test of self-belief & confidence in my talents and abilities, I flourished and was offered many wonderful parts and came to be respected and admired by my colleagues whom I also admired & respected greatly. Then when I left the classical ballet world to move to Gauthier Dance, a smaller contemporary company, I was able to finally dance in all of the contemporary repertoire that I had been longing to dance in Munich, but was not part of the rep. Now, dancing in Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch, I feel I have finally found a place where I can settle but still continue to grow and dance in works that fulfill me on so many different levels. 

What inspirational thoughts would you offer to youth, especially AT RISK YOUTH and aspiring young dancers or anyone trying to advance themselves both personally and artistically.

The advice I would have to give is to be kind to yourself while you shoot for the moon. We’re in a field where it’s difficult not to compare yourself to others or their successes, but perseverance plays the most important part in success, and everyone’s journey is their own. Train intelligently, not just hard, and enjoy and trust the process. Don’t depend on anyone else to help you achieve something you want, but don’t be afraid to ask for help. Last I would say, is to find a support group, whether it be friends, family, or chosen family that accepts and appreciates you for who you are but also keeps it real with you. 

In your experience did dance support and enhance your academic work?

I certainly believe that dance enhanced my academic studies. Dancers are taught to be perfectionists, pay attention to details, and to complete tasks to the best of our abilities. This means that whenever we put our minds to something, we give our all to accomplish the task and go beyond the norms to achieve greatness.

What is your history with Peter London and any thoughts about working  with PLGDC in the future.

I first met Peter when I entered the high school dance program of New World School of the Arts and began working with him as a student in the Martha Graham Technique and in the cast of Graham’s Diversions of Angels. Peter taught me how to open my imagination and apply it to my art. His words have continued to inspire me to this day, not having met many people who live so freely and expressively as he does, which I find one of his most endearing qualities. He taught me how to push the boundaries of my body and match my artistry to my technique. Working with him on those works and in class has been one of the most beautiful memories that I have from my education and dance life.

You recently taught your first class for PLGDC, what was your experience and impression of the dancers?

I absolutely enjoyed teaching the dancers of PLGDC and felt a wonderful energy from them. While not many can connect nowadays to the ballet technique, I tried my best to genuinely offer a new approach to ballet by applying all of the classicism while trying to adapt it to the artists whom I had in front of me. I like to use the classical ballet technique, not only to refine the aesthetic details of the body and connect to a cleanliness of movement, but to also connect back to the most important work of the mind that is required of dancers. I could feel the dancers very open and receptive to this, which simply overjoys me. 

What was the atmosphere like teaching the dancers?

The atmosphere teaching the dancers was very focused, which I find so precious. Precious because it shows that they were all completely committed to being there, hopefully for themselves, and to use all that they can from the opportunity that they’ve been given and further themselves in their craft and art. I could also sense more involvement as I encouraged their work, which just makes me elated to see how much their love for dance comes through, even in a dance style that they might not connect so personally or at all with.

What do you think will help PLGDC dancers and artists contribute more to the Miami/South Florida community, nationally and globally?

I believe, like with any company, a continuous effort to maintain a high standard of quality of work is crucial to be able to show art of the highest quality. Cleanliness is next to godliness for me, and helps to eliminate distractions that could take the audience away from the ultimate goal, which for me is to feel what is happening to the artist on stage and interpret that for themselves, so that it moves them. That means, train train train, and create art that represents the world we live in. In whichever way and all the possible ways. A continuous search for finding something new while trying to be aware of, appreciating, and reflecting on the extensive history of dance and dance works.

Is PLGDC a viable company for support that can take it to the next level of professional operation?

I fully believe in PLGDC and its potential as a viable company. Just by their representation of diverse cultures and backgrounds, especially with people of color, since not many companies exist where the majority is POC, I believe it’s crucial during these times to have this representation and place of opportunity for these young artists.

What do you want to achieve in the next five to ten years and beyond?

I would say that my personal goals for the next 5 to 10 years would be to continue to grow in my artistic career so that I can one day pass on my experiences and knowledge to the next generations and inspire them to be generous artists who give back to their communities and to the world. I hope to expand my teaching opportunities, working with different companies and meeting new dancers to continue exploring the different ways humans move and are moved.

Upcoming Performances

HEART OF THE GARDEN
Miami Beach Botanical Gardens | Sunday, May 26, 4-6 pm

A sizzling and unapologetically pulsating fusion of Miami cultural dance Mix by Miami's leading multicultural contemporary dance company, featuring Miami's hottest contemporary dancers and choreographers. The iconic Peter London Global Dance company will joyously feast you with the most versatile dancers in South Florida who are experts in Afro-Caribbean, Hip-Hop, contemporary, Latin, Jazz and classical dance.

Free and open to the public.

MIAMI HEAT DANCE WAVE, JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION
Plaza at Regal Cinemas on Lincoln Road Mall | Wednesday, June 19, 6-7 pm

Join us on June 19 as we commemorate Juneteenth and celebrate the achievements of the Black community.

Free and open to the public.

REBELLION & RESILIENCE
Featuring a new company production of Carmen
Sanctuary of the Arts | Sunday, June 23, 4-6 pm

A bold and powerful dance explosion. Riveting and spell binding drama unfolds in Miami's leading multicultural contemporary dance company's summer offering, featuring Miami's hottest contemporary dancers and choreographers. The iconic Peter London Global Dance company will have you leaning forward with the most spectacular and  technically virtuosic contemporary and Afro-Diaspora dancers in South Florida, who are experts in Afro-Caribbean, Hip-Hop, contemporary, Latin, Jazz and classical dance.

Support Us

• Enjoy special benefits by becoming a Friend of PLGDC. For more information on PLGDC FRIENDS Membership and how to donate and become a volunteer, contact Clarissa V. Willis at peterlondon@comcast.net

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