Compañía Nacional de Danza

You grew up in a family environment with dance around you every day. Was that what made you to want to dance?

I think I didn’t even consider whether I wanted to dance until I was older. I have always been in a ballet hall thanks to my family, so I think it came as something totally natural to me. That was my home, and where I always felt comfortable.

Who taught you to take your first steps? Is that person your mentor?

My first steps came at the hand of my maternal aunts; they were the ones who taught me to dance. Fortunately, I have many other reference points at home; my aunts among them, of course. I have always been surrounded by extremely hard-working, resilient and generous people. My grandmother and my parents have also always comprised a constant school of reference to me.

How old were you the first time you got on stage? How do you remember your first experience?

Well, I think it would be at about three. I don’t remember specifics from the first times, but all the earliest memories I have on stage are very good; full of joy, security and fun.

In addition to growing up moving around the boards, you also grew up in Jaca, surrounded by the nature. What do you remember enjoying most there as a child? And now that you’re away, what do you miss from there?

My life has always been divided—and continues to be—between study and nature. Luckily I have been able to enjoy both very much. As a child, if I was not dancing as usual, I was spending time with my father on the land where they live today. There were always things to do and in my house you never stood still for long. I also spent a lot of time with my maternal grandmother, with whom I was always learning about life. I remember a very happy childhood, always with people around, lots of fun and chit-chat. What I miss the most from there is undoubtedly my family—and the river. I always try to find a moment when I am there to escape to the river, alone, to enjoy the calm, the water and the wonderful landscape that Jaca has.

Apart from dance, you feel a great passion for animals, especially dogs and horses. Do you have any animals? Why do you think you have such a special connection?

I adore animals. I feel boundless love, empathy and respect for them. I have had a mare for 20 years that unfortunately recently passed away, and I have Luque, my dog. He goes with me everywhere. The whole Company knows him. For me it is the purest companionship; respectful and without expectations. We accompany and protect each other without asking for anything in return.

For one from Jaca, having been part of the Pyrenees Youth Ballet should be badge of pride. What did you learn during that period? What piece or role was the one that marked you the most?

The Youth Ballet was born as an initiative to gain dance a little more support and recognition. We went to the contests and formed a good solid group. I had a great time with my companions during that stage. I danced many variations that I loved, and still love a lot, from the classical repertoire. I remember enjoying myself on stage and without any sense of shame (laughs). I was always behind the scenes fluttering around and making my teammates laugh.

The dancing career, starting from such a young age, forces the dancer to give up a normal life. What things would you have liked to do that you couldn’t?

I don’t feel like I’ve given up anything. In my teens I didn’t make many friends because I was always busy dancing. But I made them later, and very, very good ones. Many of the most important people in my life have been given to me by dance. So instead of having a feeling of renunciation, I have one of gratitude, for the maturity, the trips and the experiences lived.

The years of learning, training in different schools and participating in different competitions—in your case national and international—will have given you very special memories. Can you share any of them? How was your relationship with your classmates? Do you keep in touch with any?

I have thousands of memories and great people that I cherish very fondly. I have incredible memories of a couple of summers that I spent in London on a summer course where I was able to meet and learn from great dancers from the Royal Ballet, memories of competitions such as the Ribarroja or Torrelavega competitions and also some really wonderful ones from my first trips and experiences with the Company.

You entered the National Dance Company in 2016 under the direction of José Carlos Martínez. How does it feel being a part of it? What does it mean to you to be lucky enough to make a living from dance in your own country?

Joining the Company was a dream come true. Something that I never believed would happen and for which I will always give endless thanks to Jose Carlos for. He saw something in me and gave me the opportunity. Also to Virginia Valero who always believed in me and encouraged me to put myself forward. Then came Joaquín, whom I also thank for giving me the opportunity to stay and continue doing what I like the most. Being able to dance in a theatre in Spain and being able to call my parents and friends to come and see me dance is something that makes me very happy. I just wish I could do it more often. One of the most beautiful memories I have was at the Teatro Real, opening the piece of Enemy in the Figure with the whole stage just for me and my parents in the stalls.

You have been dancing in the Compañía Nacional de Danza for five years, first under the direction of José Carlos Martínez and now with Joaquín De Luz as artistic director. How has your evolution been in the CND in this time?

With José Carlos Martínez it was an initiation stage in the professional world and I focused on maturing technical, artistic and personal aspects. With Joaquín De Luz, I am more focused on perfecting different styles. I am very grateful to both directors for the trust they have placed in me.

And how do you feel now within the Company?

After the two operations that I have had to undergo in the last two years, it has been really difficult to recover and get back to work. It’s taken a lot of effort to be in the studio again. But I feel more in the mood to dance and I’m fitter than ever. It seems that things are beginning to move little by little after the pandemic and that makes me very excited; but also impatient. I can’t wait to pack my bags again, get on stage and continue touring!

To finish, you have been able to share your vision of art with many people.How would you describe that?

Apart from being on stage with an audience, I was lucky enough to participate in a CND initiative in collaboration with Plena Institución. It was a wonderful experience where we were able to bring dance closer to people with different levels of ability or patients with different diseases. It was really enriching to see how people who have a hard daily life, due to their illness, are able to heal and forget their condition with dance and music, at least for a while. The studio was full of smiles, fun and pleasure for those days and we showed that dance also has an educational role and that it can improve the lives of those who practice it. It is not only entertainment but should be accessible to everyone.

SARA LORÉS – CORPS DE BALLET