We recently connected with Dominique Dobransky and have shared our conversation below.
Dominique, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
From an early age, I knew that I wanted to become a professional dancer, and that I wanted to live in the bustling, challenging, and colorful world that is New York City. I am very lucky to have an incredible family and support system who nurture those dreams and have raised me with the belief that when you have a dream, you can achieve it by working hard, staying kind and grounded, and pursuing your goal with focus and heart, even if the order and path in which you achieve these dreams might involve a few plot twists and unexpected chapters.
I’ve found that pursuing my goals and dreams is a process that doesn’t quite come in the form of a neatly printed manual, mapping out a straightforward path of how I’ll get from point A to B in one clean swoop. Rather, I would describe my journey as a patchwork of smaller trails that loop, wind, and interweave, filled with hills and valleys, pauses of doubt and forks in the road, challenging climbs and life-shaping connections, and unexpected gems and beautiful vistas along the way.
The life of a dancer and artist involves lots of sacrifice – countless hours of training, moments of doubt, criticism, physical and emotional toil, missing out on important social or personal events, often ruthless competition, literal blood, sweat, and tears, and about a million “no’s” to each “yes”.
There have been many times in my career in which I needed to remain resilient, continuing to network and go to audition after audition after countless rejections, shaking off that inevitable whisper of “maybe you’re not good enough,” or “what is your plan B?” Learning to take those rejections and use them to fuel my determination has been essential. I have learned to be open and to have the courage to actively seek out unexpected opportunities and connections – many of these moments have led to unique experiences, new friendships, and creative and collaborative projects. Sometimes that closed door is there for a reason; it is leading you to another – even better – opportunity that’s meant for you. My resilience, paired with my work ethic and versatility, have allowed me to carve out my own unique path, appreciating each “mountain” climbed and gratefully looking forward to the next.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I currently work as a professional dancer with Carolyn Dorfman Dance, a modern/contemporary repertory company, performing, touring, and teaching dance nationally and abroad. I graduated Summa Cum Laude from The Ailey School/Fordham University with a BFA in Dance and a degree in Creative Writing and furthered my training at intensives including the Jacob’s Pillow Contemporary Program, BODYTRAFFIC, Alexandra Damiani, GALLIM, The DASH Ensemble, and VIM VIGOR. As a freelance dancer, I have danced with Didy Veldman’s London-based company, Humanoove, at their Pillow Lab residency at Jacob’s Pillow, and performed in Mumbai, India with Z Artists Group for an international production by director Nikos Lagousakos. Additionally, I have collaborated with contemporary and multimedia NYC-based dance companies LaneCoArts, Abarukas, and Inclined Dance Project, and have had the pleasure of working with and performing works by choreographers including Carolyn Dorfman, Didy Veldman, Cayetano Soto, Ronald K. Brown, Yoshito Sakuraba, Juel D. Lane, Lane Gifford, Alvin Ailey, Gregory Dolbashian, Adam Barruch, Kristen Klein, Maxine Steinman, Earl Mosley, and Amy Hall Garner.
As a dance instructor, I teach and choreograph at studios and schools in NY, NJ, and New England, teaching students from six to adult. I am certified to teach the Lester Horton technique, a branch of American modern dance, and I also teach Pilates in NYC.
I am a bilingual, dual citizen of the USA and Belgium, and am also passionate about writing, cultural exchange, travel, photography, interdisciplinary collaborations, and storytelling.
One of my favorite parts of being a professional dancer, performer, and teacher is the storytelling aspect. Dance is an art form that transcends linguistic, social, and cultural barriers, and can truly touch audiences of various backgrounds and dispositions. Through movement, we share stories and emotions that audiences can relate to. Every time I perform, I seek to create human connections and to leave a positive impact. There is also the JOY of movement that draws me to dance. That blissful sensation of freedom when a melody spins my body into dance; feeling as if I can fly. The smiles and genuine moments of gratitude I’ve shared with audiences and students– be it a 5-year-old clapping and locking eyes with me, almost falling out of their chair with excitement, or a gentle and silent look of thanks from a patient at an assisted living/learning center, tears of happiness in their eyes after completing a series of dance steps – these are some of the moments that stay with me the most, that keep me falling in love with dance.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Three qualities that have impacted my journey are: work ethic, kindness, and versatility. A strong work ethic is something that I truly value, and I think is essential to succeeding in any field, but especially in dance and the arts. Being an artist requires focus and sacrifice, as well as repetition, practice, and self-discipline. Taking classes and rehearsing consistently to improve your craft and technique is just as important as educating yourself about the history of the dances/techniques/histories you are performing, the roots of the art forms, and the network of artists and current developments in the art world. Having a strong work ethic shows that you are invested in the project you are working on, all the while continuing to learn and grow.
Kindness is a value that goes a long way. I always tell my students to continue to practice kindness, not just because it will create an overall more positive and nurturing environment for everyone involved, but also because their peers might just become their collaborators one day. Particularly in the arts, networking is key. The connections that you create with your friends, employers, and coworkers create a stronger community overall, and can lead to future job opportunities and connections. A simple smile, genuine compliment, or small welcoming gesture can make a world of difference.
Finally, versatility is another element that is key in my journey. I have found that the more dance styles I explore, the stronger my dancing and personal “movement tool kit” becomes. I am inherently curious and love to learn, and my versatility in dance styles and in varying art forms makes me more adaptable to various sorts of projects, work environments, and collaborations. To anyone pursuing a career in the arts, I would encourage them to stay curious, to keep asking questions, to push themselves out of their comfort zone, and to keep an open mind. Sign up for that class that you have been wanting to try, read something new, visit a museum exhibit, or watch a documentary about an art form that sparks your interest. Keep nurturing yourself with the things that feed your curiosity and it will in turn inspire your practice and profession.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
As a professional dancer and teacher working full-time in New York City, I often feel as if I don’t have as much time for personal creative projects. New York City is an expensive, tough, and bustling city that can often make you feel like you need to be “hustling” and doing something work-oriented all the time. It’s easy to forget the magic of the city and all its creative hubs and spaces when you are caught up in the bustle. Each week, I set aside designated and focused blocks of time dedicated to my personal creative practices and those small moments, even if it is just for 15 to 30 minutes every few days, have been extremely impactful. It’s so important to remember to set aside time for things that bring you joy, peace, and creative inspiration as an artist. Dedicating these little moments of time for yourself positively benefits your career and personal growth as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dominiquedobransky.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dominique.dobransky/
- Other: https://vimeo.com/user77954119
Image Credits
Noor Eemaan Whitney Browne Christopher Duggan
