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Laura Jáuregui is a choreographer and dancer of enormous talent and international recognition. Twenty-four years of career credit her, and she is part of the education of more than 2,600 dance students.
1. DANCEFESTMX operates under the principle of prestige, not competition, unlike other spaces in the dance world that foster a unique atmosphere. What is the story and inspiration behind it?
They come from a personal and professional crisis in 2015, after several years of participating in dance competitions. Then I started comprehending that art was subjective and that artists do not create to be qualified for a prize or be disqualified. I began to notice that my students saw the stage as a battlefield. And it began to be very painful and, well, what better way to solve it than to say hey, without a doubt, competition grows us, empowers us, makes us grander, but why? There isn’t a forum in Mexico where we really see the stage as it is for artists, right? To create, share, see and be among us. To recognize us and applaud each other. Especially for these new generations who live in such a competitive world, not only in their day-to-day but also at school, on social networks, and others.
2. With more than 20 years of career, what does dance represent for you, and what has been the best satisfaction it has given you?
Twenty-four years of experience this year, and I think it is impossible to say a single satisfaction. The truth is that dance has been a place where I have found a lot of resilience, a place where I manage to escape from this reality, where I get to create. As a dancer, it is getting up on stage and expressing yourself. Then, as a choreographer, having something come to mind and being the architect of your own choreographies has been very profound. And finally, seeing how you get to touch lives. How dance changes people’s lives and how you affect the mind, emotions, and physique of students. It is a poignant and precious gift for me. From its first edition, DanceFest became the forum that redefined dance and helped me ponder why I do what I do and why I continue to do what I’m doing. Because it brought me back to the true essence of dance. What it is to create just to share your work. Not to be qualified or disqualified.
3. What do you enjoy most about dancing and creating choreographies?
Of dancing, without a doubt, this edition was so precious for me. To get back on stage, I believe that returning to the Pepsi Center with an event and a forum that survived despite so much adversity was the greatest gift in the world. Up there emerges the part of Laura that connects with what she truly is; it’s a gift. Creating choreographies is also a great satisfaction because everything begins in your head. It’s like teaching you that everything you really think or imagine can come true if you focus firmly on executing it.
4. Do you remember the first moment you stepped on stage, how it felt like? What has changed in you since then?
What a lovely question. I have a clear memory of when I was ten years old, I think, and I danced a piece of Grease play at the City Theater, and my costumes were green. And I was with about thirty girls on stage, and I got off the stage, and while you were walking to go with your parents and they give them to you, people said: She is the one in green, there’s the one in green, look at the one in green. I remember how nice it felt to be seen, recognized, and applauded for something that came naturally to me and was so easy.
What has changed? Everything. That chick that got on stage is no longer a chick. She became this strong and resilient woman who tries to lead and show by example what I really want to leave to mine. And the only thing that remains of that chick is that passion and desire for life and that illusion to keep dreaming and creating. So much so that I think it was felt on stage right now that I got on.
5. How important do you think it should be for the world to start creating and promoting spaces for young people in culture, art, and dance?
Opening art forums in this country has become essential. Especially for us, private companies organize ourselves to do so. Because the reality is that we believe that art is like the adornment of the human being when I believe art is the only thing that will save humanity, right? Degrees and academic achievements are celebrated, and everyone is very engaged in that. But, I think the artist is very punished, especially in this country. So, I think we should let girls know that an artist does not have to starve. That they can have a happy soul and can overcome and get the life they want as long as they know their value and as long as she knows how to charge. For me, it is essential. I believe that art is the only thing that will save us.
6. Having discovered your vocation at such a young age, what would you recommend to the parents of those little restless to discover the world of dance?
I would recommend them to dare and be supportive.
When young people discover a passion and manage to commit to it and have the discipline to stick to it, it is not only a powerful emotional tool. It is an advantage for many other aspects of their life. Right? I believe that today there are many idle children. They itch here, itch there, and there is no capacity for frustration. At the first of Oh, no, he does not like this class anymore, so we better go to this class of painting. Or we better go to a class of, I do not know what… The fact that they let the children, I mean, it is one thing to try and experiment, and so on, but the fact that when someone has talent, and they do not support them is almost a crime. We could not call it a crime, but I see it that way.
7. Being lucky to dedicate yourself to your passion and being a part of the education of more than 2,600 students. What is your advice for parents and teachers to motivate their children to work with discipline and pursue their goals?
I would recommend that they get involved in what their children are doing. They should be aware that it is not always the entertainment for the evenings so that they can go to work. To get involved with the institution where they belong. That they understand where the roots come from, who directs them, where the institution to which they belong goes, and that they trust and respect the institution. Either to the studio or to the academy. That I would recommend. Because I believe that a good school principal can take you to unimaginable places. In my case, splendid teachers like Claudia Gómez, Vida Vega, Lety Ruíz, and Claudia Dávila were pillars in my life. Because of them, I could aim to where I was going and where I continue to go.
8. What are your favorite rhythms, and what do you think of current music?
I have a weird taste in music. I think I like everything except Heavy Metal. I mean, I can listen to everything from classical to contemporary music. I mean, I like all kinds of music. What do I enjoy dancing the most: I like musical theater and jazz.
9. How was it to return to the stage this Sunday after 15 years of absence?
It was the most beautiful thing I have done in a long time. I had never been so nervous. I never thought I would be so jittery. It gave me an anxiety attack, and I started coughing…thank God I had my sensei there, my cousin Sylvia. She grabbed me by the shoulders and told me to breathe. I was hyperventilating as the emotion of the event was too much. By the time I got up there, it was as if my body remembered everything. And my cells connected with everything that feels to be back on the stage. I confess that at the end, emotional tears were running down my cheeks from thinking how cool is it that this year I turn forty years old and still can dance? I think this was my first gift out of many. I plan to celebrate a lot, but I also believe that the message to my students is that what I love most in the world is dancing. I am going to show it to you. I will dance with you at forty years old; I think that message was also mighty. I enjoyed it, I enjoyed it, I enjoyed it. I still do not know how I will do it, but I want to dance for many more years.
10. What do the following concepts mean for Laura Jáuregui * Success * Perseverance * The Talent * The Dance * Happiness
I believe Success lies in setting a goal and achieving it. It does not matter how big, huh. That goes from meditating twenty minutes every day to running a marathon. The size of the goal is not the deal. Success is putting something in, focusing, not procrastinating, and doing it.s
Perseverance. Uff! That is a very complicated word. Because sometimes, those who persevere are called fools, and the fools are called perseverant. What I can tell you about it is that you have to be vigilant and focused. To know when to keep giving everything and keep on and also know when it is time – not to change the objective – but to change how it is accomplished.
Talent, notice that I think you are born with talent, and it is also gained. I have many students who aged seven, they were not natural. They were not the lovely talented girls who stood up, but suddenly after five or six years, you saw them and said, now! She has it and developed the talent and worked it.
Dance means life.
Happiness is my only responsibility, according to my dad.
SUCCESS – To reach a goal.
PERSEVERANCE – The folly but also the importance of knowing when to reach the path to reach the goal.
THE TALENT – A blessing.
THE DANCE – My whole life.
HAPPINESS – My only responsibility, according to my dad.
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