JOHANE CASABENE is currently busy preparing for her upcoming ballet spectacle, Vivaldi’s ‘Four Seasons’, this Wednesday at St Agatha’s Auditorium in Rabat. Apart from being an accomplished dancer herself, Johane is determined to elevate the status of dance in Malta, hoping it will someday become a profession rather than just a hobby. Her dream has materialised in the Johane Casabene Dance Conservatoire, a professional dancing school which opens in September. Miriam Galea finds out more
Why did you choose to perform Vivaldi’s Four Seasons?
Vivaldi’s Four Seasons is one of my favourite musical masterpieces. It has been a great challenge to choreograph such a work of art, especially when it came to the younger students in the school. Even though one cannot deny how appealing the music is to one’s ears, it is such a full musical composition that as a choreographer one is flooded with ideas, and it is indeed hard to choose which interpretation to select! Tanya Bayona was also responsible for various parts of the choreography. Although there are two choreographers harmony has been maintained within the development of the choreographies. All the students and choreographers have worked with great dedication towards the interpretation.
Who will be taking part in the performance?
The show is the school’s annual performance so it is really a showcase for all the students. This will also be the first time I will be performing after having had my second baby so I am very excited about it. Two former students, Brenda Lee Grech and Dorian Mallia, who are now working abroad will be the special guest dancers. Otis-Cameron Carr a colleague of Dorian will also be participating. In fact the three dancers will be opening the show with a new choreography, L’Amoroso, once again composed by Vivaldi. This piece has a light sense of humour and is a play of the use of classical ballet technique and contemporary dance as a means of expression of the art. The dancers are all performing the piece with tremendous ability and a great professional standard. I am proud, both as their former teacher and as a Maltese to see Maltese dancers of such high
calibre.
You are also opening a full-time dancing school, The Johane Casabene Dance Conservatoire...
The initiative to start a full-time training dance establishment has been a dream that I had for a long time. It is a necessity for Malta in this day and age to offer this type of training especially when one considers the talent found on such a small island. Dance students need to go on full-time training from a young age in order to reach the technical and artistic standards required to become a dancer. A dancer’s way of life requires a psychological attitude which they need to develop from a young age. I have undertaken this mission to give the Maltese dancer the possibility of training locally. Fees are heavily subsidised for the students selected after the auditions which will be held annually in August. The Dance Conservatoire will have a teaching faculty composed of Malta’s best teachers and others from the Royal Danish Academy, La Scala, The Royal Ballet School, the Moscow State Academy, Movimento Danza and others from France. All will work together towards one aim: that of producing Maltese dancers of professional international standards. Many applications have been received so far and students are allowed to apply till the end of July. Many parents have enquired about the time table because they are concerned about the way their children will cope with their academics once they have so many hours of dancing. The course is focused around the needs of local students. I am aware of the pressure they have with academics and the time-table is worked around this. Special concession to students will also be given during exam periods and the Conservatoire will be open during July and September to catch up with the work.
Furthermore the dance qualifications acquired will be internationally recognised and fall under EU standards. The Conservatoire will open its doors on Monday 3 September. Applications are also open for younger students aged four and up who may start their dance education on a part-time basis.
When did you first start dancing?
When I was nine years old. Since then dancing has been as necessary to me as the air that I breathe. I obtained my MA in dance and related subjects after three and a half years in Italy. I have now been teaching for the last 12 years. My job is very challenging and gives me great satisfaction. I will strive to see Malta reach more professional standards in art.
What is the most important quality a dancer should posses?
The qualities required to make a good dancer are many: a good physique, musicality, artistry but above all determination, ambition, perseverance and self discipline.
Is there a lot of talent in Malta and Gozo?
The Maltese and Gozitan dancers we see so far are very talented. We now need to change the mentality whereby dance will be considered a profession and not only a hobby.
What would you be if you weren’t a dancer?
I really don’t know! I just wouldn’t be myself. Probably it would be something related to theatre and the performing arts anyway.
Are there any other forms of dance which you like, apart from ballet?
Classical ballet has always been my favourite form of dance. I love the traditional repertoire but prefer the neo-classical choreographies that are being created. Contemporary dance is another style which I greatly admire and respect.
What are your hobbies?
I enjoy singing a great deal. In fact there was a point in my life when I was considering going into musical theatre, I used to go for vocal training and I was told I had the voice for a soprano!
How did your experience abroad change you?
In Italy, I had daily classes in classical ballet followed by repertoire, pas de deux or pointe work. I also studied contemporary and jazz. Then theoretical subjects like history of dance repertoire, anatomy, music, choreography and set and costume design. I also had the opportunity to tour and perform with the Balletto Regionale di Montova. This gave me the performance experience in many theatres all over Italy and even on Canale 5.
Living alone made me more independent as well as determined to pursue a career in dance. It taught me a lot about managing my finances and being organised. Obviously dancing six hours a day, six days a week changed my dancing completely. I became a stronger dancer and much better technically. I also grew artistically.
Do a lot of Maltese girls have the necessary physique ideal for being a professional ballet dancer?
Maltese girls tend to have short legs but things are changing with younger generations. I think it is also due to the fact that we are more health conscious. I do not feel one should generalise. Dancers in companies abroad are selected from a very young age. Weight problems and different physiques exist everywhere. We are a smaller country so obviously the choice is more restricted. I have students with perfect physiques so I am sure there are Maltese with potential physiques for dancers.
You are also involved in the Dance Council. What does the Dance Council do and what is your role there?
I am a treasurer for the Dance Council, which aims to unite the various dance schools in Malta with its activities and performances. We also work towards bringing experts from abroad to give workshops and create cultural collaboration with other countries to give more opportunities to local dancers. The Dance Council is also working towards the introduction of dance education in primary and secondary schools. The Council is embarking on a highly prestigious project for 2008. We hope to organise an international festival, Dance Beyond – a collaboration between four countries bringing together pedagogies from international state academies which will culminate in two academies and a dance forum.
Dancing must be a much disciplined art form. How did it shape your lifestyle over the years?
Dance has taught me to be extremely self-disciplined. It has taught me about self respect and setting goals and working hard and with determination to achieve them.