BALLET HISPANICO Company Dancer Christopher Bloom Nominated for Clive Barnes Award

Dance Mogul: Congratulations, how does it feel to be nominated for the Clive Barnes Award?

Christopher Bloom: It feels amazing to be a finalist for the Clive Barnes Dance Award. I am honored to be considered in the elite company of the other nominees and I am proud to be a representative of the contemporary dance community. I first received notice of my nomination in November, a few days before Ballet Hispanico premiered a new work in which I had a starring role. Being nominated was a welcome confidence boost that came at an excellent time.

Dance Mogul: What was it like to develop your craft at the Vostrikov Academy?

Christopher Bloom: My years at the Vostrikov Academy came at the perfect time. Early in my training I was working on a daily basis with top level teachers who were both caring and demanding. From day one Gennadi Vostrikov emphasized partnering in my training and to this day partnering is one of my greatest skills and pleasures. It has been pivotal in my career.

Dance Mogul: As you continue to grow what advice can you offer to the next generation of dancers to help steer them on a progressive path?

Christopher Bloom: My best advice for younger dancers in regards to training and development is not to get in their own way. We choose our own mindset and we can choose to be our own biggest supporters or our own worst enemies. Make a wise choice.

With regard to career developing; networking! Meet and talk to everyone. Tell people honestly what you are good at and what needs work. Be genuine and open.

Dance Mogul: Is there anyone you would like to thank for helping you on your journey?

Christopher Bloom: At this point in my career I have many people who deserve thanks. My first teachers, Gennadi and Susan Vostrikov, Nela Niemann, and Christine McNamara, Ana Marie Forsythe, Melanie Person, Tracy Inman and Milton Myers for giving my countless opportunities in my time in the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program, David Parsons for giving me a fabulous introduction in the professional dance world. In my current position at Ballet Hispanico I must thank Eduardo Vilaro for bringing me into his company, Michelle Manzanales for patience and guidance, and Gustavo Ramirez Sansano for revolutionizing the way I dance.

 Lastly I must thank my parents, brothers, and girlfriend, Lauren Evans, for always being there, supporting, encouraging and believing in me.  Thank you!

BALLET HISPANICO Company Dancer Christopher Bloom Nominated for Clive Barnes Award

New York, NY – January 26, 2015 –Ballet Hispanico is proud to announce that company dancer Christopher Bloom has been nominated for a 2014 Clive Barnes Award in Dance. The winner will be selected by a panel of critics and performers, and will be announced during a ceremony at the Walter Reade Theater on Monday, January 26, 2015. The Clive Barnes Foundation was formed in 2009 to create Annual Awards giving recognition, encouragement, and financial support to two talented young professionals and thus, honoring the memory of the many years of critical work and the warm personal generosity of Clive Barnes. The nominees will be judged, at live performances, by a panel of experts in each field, Dance and Theatre.  The awards are given at the end of each year at a Ceremony in New York City. Christopher Bloom is from Middletown, VA where he started training at the Vostrikov’s Academy of Ballet at the age of 15. Christopher trained as a scholarship student at the Ballet and Contemporary Dance Programs in the School at Jacob’s Pillow under Anna-Marie Holmes and Milton Myers. He holds a B.F.A. from The Ailey/Fordham BFA Dance program where he had the opportunity to perform works by Sidra Bell, Francesca Harper, Camille A. Brown, Jennifer Muller, Paul Taylor and Alvin Ailey. He has performed professionally with 360aAA Dance Company, Thang Dao Dance Company, VonUssar DanceWorks, Parsons Dance, The Peridance Contemporary Dance Company, and with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. ABOUT BALLET HISPANICO Celebrating 44 years of dance and culture, Ballet Hispanico is recognized as the nation’s premier Latino dance organization. Led by Artistic Director Eduardo Vilaro, the Company boasts a rich and diverse repertory of over 100 works by the foremost choreographers and emerging artists of our time. The works expand on founder Tina Ramirez’s legacy of exploring the diversity of Latino culture through a fusion of Latin and contemporary dance powered by theatricality and passion.  The Company has performed for an audience of nearly 3 million, throughout 11 countries, on 3 continents.  For more information, visit www.ballethispanico.org. Follow Ballet Hispanico on Facebook and Twitter.    #