From Medical student to aspiring professional dancer
The Basque Country-born dancer, from Northern Spain, María Roca formally trained as a medical student. With underlying passions and talents to pursue a dance career, internationally.
Key Details
16 March 2023
University East London (UEL)
Urban Practice
1 Salway Rd, London E15 INF
Plvtform: Creative Director - Thaïs Cort
Dancer and Choreographer: María Roca
Solo performance: Lei Lines - ‘The Deconstruction of the Mind’
Headshot credit: Guillem Porcel
Videographer: Grace Ogundipe
Reviewer: Tamar Dixon (unique tay)
Plvtform is a scratch performance that aims to provide an opportunity for emerging choreographers. The aim is to receive in-depth feedback from professional choreographers and audience members, to grow as creatives, in their chosen field. Plvtform was met with three British Choreographers on the panel. Offering feedback and support. They were: Kloé Dean, Amánda Péfkou and Joshua Nash.
Plvtform, is creatively directed by Thaïs Cort. ‘A Space to perform, share and grow’.
On 16 March 2023, María performed a solo piece intertwined with a fusion of dance genres. Street dance styles, such as Hip Hop and Popping. Along with floorwork techniques. Her ability to perform breathtaking floorwork and tricks is supported by her earlier training in Ballet and Gymnastics, from age 7.
“You have so much content and beautiful language…Allow yourself to drop into that process. When you are experimenting with that”.
- Choreographer’s feedback
The choreography
Image of María Roca García by Guillem Porcel
María begins on a dark, silent and empty stage with just herself and the use of a prop. The prop appears to be a resistant band. It represents restriction and being confined in one place. Ironically, as we know a band can expand and stretch when you apply pressure and strength. Only to then snap back to its original shape, to start all over again; [to stretch and to expand]. This is how María creatively used this prop during her solo piece; to reflect her powerful message. Called Lei Lines, ‘the deconstruction of the mind’. The use of props was evident and reflective through Maria’s overall choice of dance movement; Innovative and expressive.
Feeling somewhat trapped and expressing escapism through the choreography, María is undoubtedly an up-and-coming creative in her field. Using life experiences and bringing habits and unconscious behavioural patterns. That many individuals experience throughout society. This very much-needed topic around mental health is crucial to bring to our awareness as audience members. Which is an innovative approach and a method to showcase how the breakdown of one's mind can impact our day-to-day living.
“The aim is to express how humans build unconscious habits, behaviours or ideas that limit our individuality and how sometimes we live without questioning them. Through dance, I try to interpret the process of realizing their existence and transforming and elevating into who they want to be”. María Roca
The music and score were quirky, edgy, and filled with deep beats. This allowed room for María to fully explore a range of movements, levels, textures and her growing dancing ability and diverse technique. Though the costume choice felt mediocre. Midway through the solo piece, María appeared to be somewhat breathless. Unfortunately, this shrank the movement! Despite this minor hiccup and the underwhelming stage presence, to keep up with the movement; in terms of her cardio level [aerobic exercise]; creativity and the use of experimenting with choreographic choices, were evident throughout Maria’s solo piece and indeed her strongest suit.
Furthermore, another important element of the Lei Lines - ‘The Deconstruction of the Mind’, is how the music was carefully constructed around the idea of the mind. For instance, María creatively emphasised the voices in the song as ‘external voices’, which we as people commonly experience day to day. Feeling influenced and distracted by other people's voices. This concept was used in the choreography, where María would appear to be dancing on the spot. In the centre of the stage. Another creative way of telling the audience how one can be trapped in a box based on external influences [voices].
From Spain to London
Having worked as a choreographer, movement director and dancer, María has developed a substantial portfolio, in her hometown, Spain. Prior to moving to London, she was successfully selected to feature for Bebe Rexha at MTV EMAs Awards 2018, at Bilbao Exhibition Centre. Along with a track record in being cast as a performer across mainstream platforms. From Berta BitterSweet in the opening of Breakonstage, an international hip-hop culture festival. Which was held at Bilbao Arena stadium. To Kai Nakai basque reggaeton artist. María performed alongside Kai Nakai for two years, from 2020 - 2022; to name a few.
Though María is in the early stages of her dance career, she initially started to study Medicine in 2015 and completed her degree in 2021. She previously had dance technique training. From the tender age of 7 in Ballet and Gymnastics. She felt that entering the world of Hip Hop Culture as a profession was too far to reach. One reason is due to her age.
Now María is excelling in her desires as a professional dancer, choreographer and dance teacher. Currently based in London, to explore new creative spaces. That will take her on a path route in performance. Alongside internationally recognised dance teachers. Her stay in London would encourage her to build self-confidence, in collaborating and networking with like-minded artists, who are seeking a similar path. Expanding on her choreographic and artistic skills is advised to explore, outside of her hometown. Pinned along with the opportunity to gain mentorship in London. This is ideal for María’s continuous growth and career trajectory. At least over the next 5 years.
Links
Word count: 934
Review by: Tamar Dixon (unique tay)