Hello, fellow creatives! I am an inherently curious person, and as part of my own creative journey, I wanted to find out what other people in creative fields think about creativity. Not just in relation to what they do, but living a creative life. In this series, we explore what it means to be human and create what you want to see in the world.
My first interview is with a Role Model I know well, Desiree is not only an incredibly talented dancer, and choreographer, she is also my sister in law. I am so fortunate to be surrounded by talented folks in my everyday life, who are kind enough to share their intimate moments with me. Read on to learn about Desiree's creative process.
MELODIE: Hey Des! Let’s start with an introduction.
DESIREE: Hi! Okay, my name is Desiree Webb, I am the co-owner and co-founder of RNS Dance. I am a mom, a choreographer and a dancer.
M: Thanks Des! Shall we dive right in? Tell me about your creative process.
D: My creative process starts with how I'm feeling or what I'm going through that day, well or month. Life is beautiful and strange, and each experience feels connected to my body.
I'm all about healing through dance. I work on what I need to heal, and notice that others are feeling the same. My process becomes the work towards that healing.
M:That's so interesting because when we think about creation, it's such a personal thing. Would you say you're creating for yourself or to share with others?
D:I think I do both. Just because of how the world is these days. I feel like everyone is going through similar things, wounded, elated, empty, fulfilled. It’s a roller coaster. I look at things that are going on in my life, and find the soundtrack to it. The music is everything. I find music that helps me feel creative. Music heals, it helps me let go. Sometimes its just playing a great song and moving my body to feel good, and just have a good time. I want it to resonate with as many people as possible.
M:I love that, the music really does bring people into the moment! Okay, tell me what your personal definition of creativity is.
D: My definition of creativity is: Healing. A few years ago, I created a piece for my mother. She is a breast cancer survivor. I struggles with the emotions it brought up, and I decided to create a piece dedicated to her. It helped me heal what I went through, and what she went through. It was life changing.
M: (laughing through tears) I'm crying because I remember that it was such a beautiful piece called My mother's journey, right?
D: Yes! Mel, you are so funny.
M: Okay. regaining my composure. What do you feel inspired by?
D:I take inspiration from everyone in the dance world. My business partner, Kaylee, she's phenomenal. I learn so much from her. My mom, she is a badass, and she pushes me to be the best that I could possibly be. My kids, just seeing them be so free and outgoing and doing their own thing. It just really inspires me to not have to be in a box, just to be like, okay, I'm going to do this today in this choreography, or, I'm going to do that today. Or Sometimes my son does something really cool, and I'm like, oh, I'm going to use that in my choreo.
I’m inspired by my students, and all the people who come to my classes. Whats really exciting is when I realize I have inspired someone else too. You don't know what's happening in someone elses life, and and then they come to class, and mention how much they neededit, or how awesome it was. You just forget that what you do helps or inspires other people too. And Sometimes I forget that because I just love what I do. So when I hear those comments, I feel like I'm on the right path. This is what I'm supposed to be doing. This is where I'm supposed to be, dancing to be inspired and inspiring others.
M: Inspiration is reciprocal, I love that so much. Yes, I’m crying again. HAHA. Okay, last question: When you are dancing, creating, what are you thinking about?
D: Interesting questions - I don't actually think I am thinking about anything, I’m in my body, and that's doing the work. My body takes over, and I‘m not thinking.
M: Thank you so much for sharing with me Des, where can people find you to take a class, or see you perform?
D: You can find all our classes and events at https://www.rhythmandsouldance.ca/ and you can follow us on Instagram @rnsdanceinc
PS: Desiree is wearing our new Spring Creme Eyecolour in Curious which is a stunning moss green, shop the collection here.
XO - Melodie
