THE DANCE ENTHUSIAST'S A TO Z: H for Barrington HINDS and K.J. HOLMES
Barrington Hinds
Biography
A West Coast native who first dipped his toes in ballet before training in NYC and Taiwan, Barrington Hinds has found his personal style, which consists of three main qualities: an Asian influence, the many forms of human gesture, and sounds made from movement. He has worked with / is currently dancing with VERBS Ballets, the North West Professional Dance Project, Twyla Tharp, Stephen Petronio, Stephen Petronio Company, Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company, Cherylyn Lavagnino Dance, among others, has freelanced in commercial, TV, and print work, and also teaches. Follow him on Instagram at @bar_hinds.
Image captions & credits: Barrington Hinds dancing; photo courtesy of the artist| Headshot by Sue Cadavid.
K.J. Holmes
Biography
Beginning with ballet, musical theater, judo and fencing as a child, independent artist K.J. Holmes has since pushed into new frontiers of dance and theater, attained yoga and Ayurvedic ceritfications, become a sought-after educator, performed in films, curated festivals, and devised solo dance pieces as well as collaborative performance projects. Her collaborators are too many to name here, but just prior to the pandemic, she led monthly events at MoMA (NYC) with dancer Simone Forti, and in 2021, teamed up with filmmaker Matthew Barney. These days, she is re-entering the creating of her piece 900 Bees are Humming, which was cut short by Covid. Follow her on Instagram at @kjhlms.
Image captions & credits: KJ Holmes dancing; photo courtesy of the artist | Headshot courtesy of The Julliard School.
What made you decide to enter this profession?
Hinds:
It found me. I had no idea that being a dancer was a profession. I fell into it by accident when I had to take dance as an elective in middle school. After that, I was hooked. I completely believe I was destined to be a dancer.
Holmes:
This profession was an unexpected surprise, as I was following my heart. I was redirected many times to walk (or dance) down this river or path. There have been, and continue to be, many tributaries. I am extremely fortunate to do what I love, and keep falling in love with it.
Who has been the biggest influence on your life and why?
Hinds:
I can’t say it’s really been just one person. It’s been many people: my partner Jimmy, our girls Elizabeth and Alex, close friends, and my family. They inspire me everyday.
Holmes:
There are so many people who have influenced me. I will say that my great teacher Andre Bernard was a most important holder of keys to many doors for me.
I can always rely on __________ to cheer up.
Hinds:
Reels and TikTok (even though I don’t have Tik Tok). My friends and I send each other funny videos all day — it’s the best! Find yourself friends who send videos to each other, and there will always be laughs.
Holmes:
Trees.
I practice self-care by __________.
Hinds:
Going to SoJo Spa! It’s my happy place. I always go after a tour or a busy season.
Holmes:
Ayurveda practices.
Pets or plants. Either way, why and what kind?
Hinds:
It’s both for me! I adore dogs, My heart is full when there’s a pup around. Plants make any living area 10 times better. I love anything that's a succulent or ferns.
Holmes:
For many years I had cats, Talia and Bear, who exited this earth a long while ago. After my mother passed, I had my mother’s canary, Tawny, who went from singing along with country music my mom loved to riffing on the avant-jazz music I listen to. Tawny flew on to great sky beyond, and since then, I have plants in pots, and now in a backyard changing with the seasons.
Cooking or eating out? Either way, what is your favorite meal?
Hinds:
Cooking! I’m a great cook. I do love eating out too. My family is from Jamaica so my favorite food is oxtail, hands down!
Holmes:
I love to cook, and I love to cook Indian food, especially kitchari.
If you could relive the past or catch a glimpse of the future, which would you pick and why?
Hinds:
The future. I'm always thinking about what’s ahead. I think as dancers we do this a lot, because our careers are so finite.
Holmes:
I would live in the past at a time before the industrial revolution, be a different kind of pioneer, and an advocate for the land and its original people.
What is your personal approach to handling challenging people or situations?
Hinds:
To listen! I try to remember that feelings are not always facts. Sometimes people just want to be heard or vent. I try to put my ego aside and listen first.
Holmes:
Rise to the challenge, wrestle with words and meanings, love the resistance necessary. As my good friend Lisa Nelson has taught me, to feel your own power (and another’s), not power over. Always seize opportunities to improvise with life’s materiality with spirit.
How has your personal life changed since the pandemic?
Hinds:
Relationships have gotten stronger and some have disappeared. I value the friendships that have stayed and the new ones that have been created.
Holmes:
I listen differently to my desires and to others. I watch light in a new way. I am not waiting to get back to 'normal.' I cherish time alone with my self in new ways at home, and appreciate time spent with others even more.
How has your art or approach towards art changed since the pandemic?
Hinds:
Luckily, Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company continued to work. We were one of the few companies to continue performing during the height of the pandemic. We did a piece called Afterwardness commissioned by the Park Avenue Armory. It was thrilling and scary to be performing when everyone had to maintain being six feet apart and everyone (including the performers) wearing masks. I'll never forget that time.
Holmes:
I have found a new sense of poetics in my work. I began painting. I take time and hold space from a value of the weight of life.
What is the last show you saw and loved?
Hinds:
Titanique The Musical! So good!
Holmes:
Hollis Bartlett and Nattie Trogdon’s duet O Fallen Angel. It was the first piece I saw after lockdown opened up. It was so mesmerizing, and held restraint and liberation that I resonated with. Truly moving.
What is your pre-performance (as a spectator or a performer) ritual?
Hinds:
To be honest, taking ibuprofen, probably. Oh, and also having a Ricola cough drop. Haha!
Holmes:
I guess finding my way to a show as a spectator is a kind of ritual.
As a performer, I try to dedicate each show to someone.
I wish I could be a fly on the wall for this moment in dance history: __________.
Hinds:
When Pina Bausch was in the studio creating Rite Of Spring with her Company.
Holmes:
The premiere and the subsequent riot that ensued during Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring in 1913.
I have / have had the most fun performing __________’s choreography or trying out this genre of dance _____________.
Hinds:
Bill T. Jones and Stephen Petronio.
Holmes:
This is a very hard question to answer, as I have had fun performing in so many performances.
One show comes to mind, however: when I was performing as part of the Movement Research Festival at Danspace. During the performance, I exited the space and unexpectedly got locked out. It was a quartet and the other three performers kept going and, I believe, wondering where I was. I somehow got back in and walked into the space and just announced, “I got locked out” and resumed dancing.
Is there a book, podcast or TV program you recommend to others and why?
Hinds:
I’ve been listening to Bjork’s podcast about her albums and her career over the years. She’s my favorite music artist! Its worth listening to. She’s amazing.
Also, Last of Us on HBO Max? *Chef’s kiss.* So good!
Holmes:
Rebecca Solnit’s writing. Earth and the Reverie of Will by Gaston Bachelard. Anne Waldman’s poem Battery, to name a few of many...
This city or country is the best place I have ever been to for art: __________.
Hinds:
New York City, of course!
Holmes:
Venice is an artwork in itself, as is Lisbon. And, of course, NYC.
Which social media app are you most drawn to?
Hinds:
Probably Instagram.
Holmes:
I only use Facebook and Instagram
What advice do you have for young people in your field?
Hinds:
Don’t give up. 90% percent is about showing up. Show up to that audition, that casting call, that self tape. Be open to every opportunity. Eventually you will land exactly where you want to be. Just keep swimming.
Holmes:
Live your life, love your journey, always remember we are on this earth.
And, as a friend and collaborator taught me, “Resistance is necessary to feel your own power.”
I couple that with, “Power is not love, Love is power.”
How can we amplify the voices of overlooked and deserving artists?
Hinds:
Give them a seat at the table, more opportunities, more funding. Stop feeding the big fish.
Holmes:
Giving space to listen to them.
How do you spread enthusiasm about dance?
Hinds:
I try to hang out with other dancers, and what I know, I share with them and visa versa. Our community is very passionate, This becomes evident when I see how enthusiastic and curious non-dancers are when I tell them what I do. They become excited to hear about and see dance.
Holmes:
I love what I do with passion, and I welcome challenges that keep me current and alive.
