Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and guiding the next generation of dancers

Passing the torch

BalletX artistic director Christine Cox heard Ochoa was teaching and asked if she felt ready to mentor a young choreographer, and if the time was right. “At a certain age,” she said, “it’s not so much about you anymore. It’s about what do you leave behind? What is your legacy? How can you help as opposed to how can I succeed?”

For Ochoa, mentoring is about giving the fellow tools and ways of thinking about their work, to “ask them questions, so they start asking themselves those questions,” she said. You want it to help them as an artist throughout their career. Over a meal with Hung in New York, she asked “What does she expect from a mentorship?" These fellows are adults and they apply for it because they have expectations. She encouraged Hung to be as extreme as possible and said, “You have to do pieces I would not do. I would just tell you my observations.”

Much of Ochoa’s advice sounded like the sort given to young writers: “Don’t be afraid of changing things. And, what I always say in the theater world, kill your darlings. Maybe this is an amazing moment, but what if it doesn’t serve the piece? So try things out, don’t be afraid.” Some of her advice was more specific to dance. Hung is a contemporary choreographer and Cox asked her to do a piece for pointe shoes. Ochoa told her to stay true to her voice and her own vision, but, “if you’re interested, it could open many doors. BalletX and this fellowship is a protected environment, so go for it.” The important thing for Hung was to express herself as an artist.

During an audience discussion event at the BalletX studio, Hung said that she applied for the fellowship because she missed having teachers in her professional life, so it seemed to be a match made in heaven. Audiences will have a chance to see Hung’s final results when BalletX performs its spring series at Glen Foerd. Ochoa’s piece will premiere in May at the Mann Music Center.