PUSHfest launches Oct 4 & 5 with an exciting lineup of national-renowned choreographers. We asked PUSHLab Choreographer, Ting (mpwrdcollective.org) to tell us more about how he’s approaches an artistic process and about his upcoming dance piece for the festival.

1. Tell us a little bit about your dance background.

I spent my formative years dancing in Hip-hop circles and learning Filipino Folk Dance, as well as black vernacular jazz. Soon after I was introduced to Western Classical dance forms and since then I have continued to evolve, craft, and build skills along the way. I currently have almost 20 years of dance experience in total ranging from dancen training, working in dance education, arts administration and so much more. I’m currently the Artistic Director of @mpwrdcollective as well as working seasonally with some other great organizations that not only focus on dance but, culture, visual arts, and multidisciplinary spaces as well.

2. What can audiences look forward to seeing in your work at PUSHfest?

The audience should be ready for a short performance fusion of Afro-Pop and Majorette/bucking inspired movement followed by some community engagement. A community that BUCKS together stays together!

3. What are the major sources of inspiration for your choreography? What are you curious about?

I have tried to simmer down my inspirations in a way that can be put to writing and the honest truth is that there are many things in this worlds that inspire me but what I truly feel is important is the ability to tells ones stories whether they are written on paper or danced on a stage.

4. If you hadn’t chosen this career, what might you have been doing in your life?

I am already doing it. I have a double major in dance and zoology and doing many of the things I want to do. If I weren’t dancing I would be studying wildlife and vice versa so I truly am doing the things I want to do

5. What does your work respond to or activate, within this world or within yourself?

I am simply here to tell stories. I do not see myself as a griot but I identify with that label. All of the art I make is specifically made to tell my stories and the stories of others long past.

6. What advice would you pass on to an aspiring choreographer?

Do no let anyone fool you into believing that you require professional training to tell your stories.

TIX: https://pushdance.org/festival

DISCOUNT: Support Ting’s performance by buy $20 tickets to PUSHfest with the discount code: PUSHTING

MORE: https://www.pushdance.org/tingpf25/