Dominique Robinson is an American performer, choreographer and dance film director. In 2014 she brought to both the dance and gap year community Pizarts Dance Gap Year. She has traveled to countries Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Brazil and Canada having taught thousands of people in vast cultural settings. Robinson has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from East Carolina University in Choreography and a Master of Arts from New York University in Dance Education.
What is your favorite travel memory?
It was a beautiful fall day in New York City and a group of Dance Gap Year (DGY) students took the birth of Hip Hop tour. On the trip we visit the the Bronx Documentary Center, the gallery space El Fogon, and the Bronx Music Heritage Center, a long standing non-profit that presents live events and classes proliferating the history and preservation of music created in the Bronx.
After passing through several iconic areas of South Bronx (So Bro), we have lunch in So Bro's La Cocina Boricua for an authentic Puerto Rican meal. I really love this trip because Hip Hop has resonated with so many people around the world and the chance to give students a look into Hip Hop's backyard is a visceral experience.
How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?
I have met so many incredible people who have linked me with amazing artists from all walks of life and we have created some beautiful dance works together. As a member of the Dance Gap Year team I get the chance to give that experience and more to our students.
What is the best story you've heard from a return student?
A student on the New York trip was at a workshop in downtown Manhattan. At the time of her trip she had only been a student never having performed. She was asked at the workshop to demonstrate the choreography in front of everyone.
Although she was terrified she couldn't get herself to say no, so she stood up and did her thing. She later shared that that moment in the city helped her overcome a fear.
Since then she has blossomed into an amazing teacher and performer.
What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?
Our company is unique because we give trained dancers the chance to experience a gap year combining daily practice in self, community and dance making.
I was extremely proud of my team when a Dance Gap Year (DGY) student was able to co-teach at an international festival with a DGY staff member. We were able to introduce this student to different elements of dance and a few years later she excelled as a teacher and choreographer.
What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?
Our company is successful because we work with different communities who all contribute to the development of our programs and we continue expanding projects with the help of previous DGY students who have become members our team.
