THE DANCE ENTHUSIAST'S A TO Z: N for Marc NÚÑEZ and Stefanie NELSON

Núñez:

When I watched Janet Jackson’s Velvet Rope concert on DVD back in middle school, I was so inspired by the talented, diverse, beautiful dancers whom she showcased in such a personal way. That album also helped me accept my sexuality. That freedom and expression that dance and music provide is where I knew my soul lived.

Nelson:

I quit piano lessons in the fourth grade and went to a dance class with my mom. I was hooked.

I also credit Alice Teirstein, my high school dance teacher and longtime mentor, and JuMay Chu whose work inspired me throughout college.

Núñez:

My parents because they had to navigate being Filipino immigrants in Southern California in the 1990s. They are brave and I witnessed their fight and tenacity to pursue the American dream.

Nelson:

My mother.  She has always loved dance but was strongly urged, maybe even forbidden, to pursue it as a career. She took me to dance classes and concerts and supported my decision during senior year in college, after realizing I wasn’t pre-med material, to put off applying to grad school, and head back to NYC to dance for “a year or two.” She is my everything: mother, friend, advisor, comfort, provider of unconditional love, and teacher of integrity, honesty, and morality, the three values I hold highest in my career as a human and an artist.

Núñez:

My boyfriend, Mateo, and cat, Miso.

Nelson:

A night out with friends.

Núñez:

Taking daily naps.

Nelson:

Taking walks in the park and practicing yoga.

Núñez:

Pets! I love my plants, but Miso is pure love and entertainment.

Nelson:

Pets AND plants. I am particularly attached to Juno, my pet Shiba Inu who came into our family after my daughter sent Shiba photos and videos for about 18 months until we caved, and Ron, my favorite bamboo plant, gifted as a tiny bamboo shoot to my son when he was 5. Ron has sprouted new bamboo generations and is taller than my son, who is now 21. When he went away to college we planted a cutting from Ron for him to take care of at school. Happy to report that Ron Jr. is thriving as well.

Núñez:

Home cooked always! I love all Asian cuisines — Filipino, Japanese, Tibetan, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Indian. Seriously, all of Asia.

Nelson:

I prefer the warmth and comfort of home cooked meals but one of my favorite meals out is Mariscada in egg sauce. My parents used to take our family to El Faro, a Spanish restaurant in the West Village to celebrate all of our happiest occassions. It was where my dad ordered take out the night I was born (they gave it to him on dishes to bring back) and where I was fortunate to have met the incomparable thinker/writer/activist of our time, James Baldwin, after having spent a semester researching his work as an independent study course at school, shortly before his death.

Núñez:

I would relive the past because I feel like knowing the future would distract me from being present. Reliving the past would be fun. How many times have we, as dancers, wanted to feel that onstage adrenaline or post-show high again?

Nelson:

I’d relive moments from my past. Reconnect with childhood wonder, speak with my grandmother again, and bask in the joy of the unknown — and presumably long — future ahead of me. The future looks quite bleak at the moment, plus I don’t like to know what’s coming. Where’s the fun in that?

Núñez:

This is a challenge I’m still learning. And with each challenging person, I try to also self reflect on my own actions, especially as I get older. I try to practice patience and kindness, which is sometimes hard.

Nelson:

If the situation is out of my control, I breathe deeply and make the best of it.  With people, conversation is the best way through, but that only works when dealing with rational people.

Núñez:

I have taken myself more seriously. I try to cut out what is unnecessary and I speak my mind much more. Nothing is guaranteed.

Nelson:

I have a re-appreciation for the people I love, simple pleasures, and nature.

Núñez:

I’ve learned a lot of technical skills: video editing, filming, streaming, production management. That has been beneficial in creating media.

Nelson:

I’m less concerned with producing material and more interested in creating community.

Núñez:

Bruno Mars, summer of 2021 in Las Vegas. His talent and showmanship are everything! The sound was incredible too. The entire audience was singing the entire time and you could still hear Bruno loud and clear. I’m a huge music fan.

Nelson:

How to become a dancer in 72,000 easy lessons, choreographed and performed by Michael Keegan-Dolan and Rachel Poirier, and directed by Rachel Poirier and Adam Silverman.

Núñez:

I find a spot away from everyone and say a prayer thanking God for the life of doing what I love, for the health and strength of my body, and to have a great show.

Nelson:

Usually dinner out with the friend/s who are coming with me to the show.

Núñez:

I would love to watch either Jerome Robbins creating West Side Story or Michael Jackson creating Thriller.

Nelson:

I’d like to go back to witness Pina Bausch’s creative process for Der Fensterputzer. It would be an extraordinary glimpse into innovation of Bausch's groundbreaking approach to dance theater.

Núñez:

Mike Esperanza! He is beyond your typical choreographer and has a way of guiding dancers to trust themselves and find their own voices. The dancers in his company are both sweet and fierce.

Nelson:

Anna Sokolow. It was my first ‘real’ company job as a young artist in NYC and it lasted 8 years. Though eventually I would choose movement allowing more freedom and flow, I’d never experienced that level of intensity in a rehearsal process.

Núñez:

I’m all about music documentaries. Recent documentaries I’ve watched and loved were about Janet Jackson, Quincy Jones, Dolly Parton, BLACKPINK, and the series, Hip Hop Evolution, which I highly recommend for hip hop teachers to understand the full culture better. Happy 50th anniversary to hip hop this year, by the way!

Nelson:

The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. The main protagonist is a young architect battling against conventional standards and an establishment unwilling to embrace innovation. He is the ultimate non-conformist.

Núñez:

Art is literally everywhere, whether man-made or in nature. But if I had to pick, it’d be New York City. I didn’t move here from California for nothing!

Nelson:

Paris.

Núñez:

Social media is such a double-edged sword, but Instagram has become my dance portfolio. My posts have resulted in booking many performances and teaching gigs within the past several years.

Nelson:

I am drawn to the visual aspect of Instagram via photos and videos, but feel conflicted about using it since its Meta owned. 

Núñez:

Stay true to yourself. It’s so easy to get lost in what you think directors, choreographers, casting directors, agents or companies want you to be. I’ve definitely had moments of losing who I am.

Nelson:

Train well, find your voice, look for unique experiences, stay flexible, persistent and patient. Take care of your body and mind. Know when to say no and stand up for yourself. Build relationships with people you respect in the dance community, be professional in your approach to auditions, rehearsals, and performances. Embrace change and be adaptable.

Núñez:

My Venmo is @MarcAndrewNunez — joking! We as artists can go see other artists' shows, take their classes, and donate to their companies. If you have time or money to invest in dance, find a dance company that really resonates with you and ask about helping to bring infrastructure to their operations.

Nelson:

Increase their visibility, recognition, and support. Collaborate with artists, influencers, or organizations to create joint projects, exhibitions, and/or performances. New partnerships can expand their reach while introducing them to new audiences. Foster communities that support and promote underrepresented artists. Support artists through grants, scholarships, or funding opportunities!

Núñez:

In this age, it’s been about posting on social media. But in real life, my dance classes are centered first around joy. Then we get to work!

Nelson:

I share my passion for movement through the work of my company SNDancegroup, by teaching weekly classes for children and adults with disabilities, as well as by providing teaching opportunities, creative residencies, performance opportunities, and curation platforms for other artists.

There's also Dance Italia, SND’s summer program where participants think, question, challenge, push, experiment, explore, and immerse ourselves in the pleasure of movement and the power of its possibilities. Each summer we gather as educators, artists, students, and performers from around the world to challenge ourselves, share ideas, and expand our skills amongst a rigorous, open, and inspiring network of artists in our new permanent home, Motore592, a bold new contemporary dance space in Lucca, Italy.