Step 16: Next steps

Okay, so much has happened since I last posted.

I am officially done with school, Bachelors in Physics. It was such an amazing moment to be able to graduate, and have my loving family and friends there to share it with. My mother never looked more beautiful than in that moment in my graduation. I love her so much.

I also had the pleasure of finally seeing the Watt’s Towers. When I first came to CSUDH I heard about them and was eager to see them immediately, however I made a random choice to wait until the day I graduated to see them. I waited 4 years to see them and I finally got to see the marvel of such a broken beauty. It was truly inspirational: creation built from destruction.

I was thankful that a lot of my friends and family have donated to my cause, I will not disappoint, I will try my hardest to better myself. I have begun my training by taking higher level ballet classes and trying to maintain an open mind to all corrections given, while applying everything else I have learned in these classes and in classes prior.

I was offered an opportunity to travel to China, for three weeks, with the Long Beach Ballet, which is a great training opportunity.. However, I had to say no. 😦 It was an all-expense-paid opportunity but I have my heart and mind set on Hubbard Street (and hopefully Nederlands Dans Theatre, too). It hurt to say ‘no’ to such a great opportunity, since everything would be much less stressful (living and travel-wise), but I need to stick to my guns and grow up a bit.

Another exciting thing happened this past week: my submission was accepted and I will be granted the opportunity to audition for BodyTraffic! I am very excited and also extremely nervous. A lot of great things are happening so fast, and I am trying to maintain my excitement, which is difficult, but I’ll handle.

One week left until I find out about NDT…

Remember, donations are still accepted 🙂
http://www.gofundme.com/2wwe1w

Thanks,

Ruben

Step 15: Last Class

I taught my final class at DH just now.
I uploaded the final class phrase that I created in the spur of the moment… It’s a mixture of some old movement that I had previously done and some that I created in the past. Thanks to all those people who came!

Enjoy!

Remember, donations are still accepted 🙂
http://www.gofundme.com/2wwe1w

Thanks,

Ruben

New Fundraising Account

Hello all,

I have a new fundraising account. Please visit, share and donate.
Thank you all for the support and love.

http://www.gofundme.com/2wwe1w

Sincerely,

Ruben

Step 14: Documentary time!

I made a two part documentary of our concert at CSUDH. I entitled it “The Experience” because this has been a bulk of my experience while at my school: performing in the shows every semester. I hope some of the students at my school see this and decide to participate.

Either way, I thought it was pretty cool!
Check it out:

Donations are still very welcomed 🙂
Thanks,

Ruben

Step 11: Talent Shows

Yesterday I improvised for my schools talent show audition!!! It was pretty tough because I didn’t know what I was going to end up doing, but I think I did okay. 🙂

I’ll find out if I made it tomorrow. Cross your fingers!
Here is the video of the audition:

Goal: $5000 (to attend one intensive, I’m trying to attend two)
Due: June 1,2013

Once again, donations would be really appreciated so that I can achieve my goal of doing a summer dance study program at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago in Chicago, IL this summer, and possibly the Netherlands Dance Theater Summer Program (if admitted) right after Chicago.
Any amount of donation, even if it is just petty change is a blessing. I can be reached at RMEDINA49@TOROMAIL.CSUDH.EDU

Thank You!
Sincerely,

Ruben

Step 10: Artistic Differences, New Experiences

Haven’t posted in a while, life has been happening!

I am no longer with Nickerson-Rossi Dance, there were artistic differences that could not be helped; it is for the best. The effect of this is that I will no longer be accepting donations through the NRD website, however donations could still be made to me through mail (and everyone knows I need these donations now more than ever! I would really appreciate this gesture, if possible!). Any amount of donation, even if it is just petty change is a blessing. I can be reached at RMEDINA49@TOROMAIL.CSUDH.EDU

Something amazing has happened! The very special group of people that make up Domino Affect Dance Co have given me an opportunity to work with them on a project! This is all thanks to someone very special and generous. These people are all really phenomenal and just so positive and kind, I am a lucky guy!

Just focusing on my dance technique and being happy, which I am extremely happy!!! 🙂 I am currently two weeks away from performing my solo, “Solo for Shoes” choreographed by Summer Brown, at the ACDFA-Baja Region festival! I am very excited and honored.

Here is a picture of me having a really amazing time at the Griffith Observatory this weekend:

Dancing under the stars

Once again, donations would be really appreciated so that I can achieve my goal of doing a summer dance study program at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago in Chicago, IL this summer, and possibly the Netherlands Dance Theater Summer Program (if admitted) right after Chicago.

Thank You!
Sincerely,

Ruben

Step 9: Celebrating Dance

This past Saturday I had the pleasure of working with such amazing and talented artists, the Nickerson-Rossi Dance Co., in performing in such a beautiful venue: the Alex theater for Celebrate Dance 2013. I was in such awe of how talented each individual dancer was, as well as the companies and choreographers. This is my experience/review of the night.

The First Half:

The first company, Lux Aterna, presented a duet which was beautiful. The twist to it, it was a break dance duet!! It was nice to see something so articulate, sharp and beautiful done to instrumental music!

The next company, JazzAntiqua, had a stunning piece. It was one of the evenings favorite by the public, and so it should have been. The dancers were stunning and the dance was so fun to watch.

The next dance was done by Los Angeles Contemporary Dance Company. This was one of my favorites. The dancers faces were covered, being yelled commands at. I thought it was striking and ever so powerful. It brought serious tears out. Much applause to this work, dancers and company.

The first half of the show was closed by SoleVita. They had a westward piece that was mesmerizing. I really enjoyed the story of the journey to the west and love story. This was the most uplifting piece of the concert.

The Second Half:

We, at NRD, opened the second half. What can I say? I really loved being on stage with these dancers. They are very inspirational.

After us was Invertigo, and they presented a dance with more elements than the others, such as a stage prop, humor, and conversation. It was about post-hurricane piece. Interesting!

Second to last was Lydia Zimmer + Dancers. Another very inspirational piece, with amazing artists! I was WOWed backstage while I watched this trio do amazing things with their bodies that I could only dream of. The choreography was very dark and interesting. Very captivating!

The final performance was Colabo Youth, and they are fierce! I don’t like the use of that word, but that is what they were. For such young ladies, 15-17 years old, they danced better most people I’ve seen! The dance was done very nicely.

The show was a captivating experience, in such a beautiful theater! I hope to perform in a place that nice again soon! 🙂

Goal: $5000 (this accumulates to the cost of attending one intensive)
Due: June 2013

If 100 people would donate $50 my goal would be successful (but any amount of donation is appreciated)

I can be reached at RMEDINA49@TOROMAIL.CSUDH.EDU
Also at my Facebook

Thank You for your time!

Sincerely,

Ruben

Step 8: Articles

I must sincerely thank Mrs. Laura Perdew, an incredible author/journalist (and previous dancer), at CSUDH for all she has done for me. She has written such an amazing article about me being a physics major pursuing dance. It really blew me away and, in a way, made me a mini-celebrity at my school! 🙂
Thank you Laura! You rock!!!

I also will be performing in Celebrate Dance this weekend! Super excited.

Read the article:
This is the article

Goal: $5000 (this accumulates to the cost of attending one intensive)
Due: June 2013

If 100 people would donate $50 my goal would be successful (but any amount of donation is appreciated)

I can be reached at RMEDINA49@TOROMAIL.CSUDH.EDU
Also at my Facebook

Thank You for your time!

Sincerely,

Ruben

Step 7a: more Photos!!!

Here are two more shots by my lovely photographer!

I am Superman. 🙂

“Would you like to talk about Jesus while we work out?”

Goal: $5000 (this accumulates to the cost of attending one intensive)
Due: June 2013

If 100 people would donate $50 my goal would be successful (but any amount of donation is appreciated)

I can be reached at RMEDINA49@TOROMAIL.CSUDH.EDU
Also at my Facebook

Thank You for your time!

Sincerely,

Ruben

Step 7: Photos!!!

Here are a few of the more-to-come photographs from my shoot two weekends ago! I was freezing in two of them because we were at the edge of a cliff on a really cold day!! Brrrr!

More to come!

Goal: $5000 (this accumulates to the cost of attending one intensive)
Due: June 2013

NRD has agreed to promote this cause and to offer its non-profit status to my supporters as an incentive for tax deduction. Your contribution is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law and you will receive a tax receipt.

All donations are greatly appreciated and can be made by clicking the “donate” tab at Nickerson-Rossi Dance. An email confirmation of the amount donated to this cause should be sent to my personal email listed below.

If 100 people would donate $50 my goal would be successful (but any amount of donation is appreciated)

I can be reached at RMEDINA49@TOROMAIL.CSUDH.EDU
Also at my Facebook

Thank You for your time!

Sincerely,

Ruben