The Dance Rush Members: Meet Pia Calleja: Dance, a Sense of Being

I joined YADA almost ten years ago and I still remember the excitement I felt when I heard Felix’s voice on the phone asking me to join the company. This was the company I had watched perform with admiration as a young girl and teenager. It meant that one day I would be dancing alongside the people I had looked up to for such a long time. Although I had already experienced the exhilarating feeling of being on stage before I joined YADA, joining the company opened doors for new experiences such as cabaret shows, quick changes and a closer interaction with the people watching in the audience.

Through positive and negative experiences in my life, I believe that dancing and being part of YADA always reminded me who I am as a person and what I really love doing. Being part of the YADA dance company was one of the few constants in my life which gave me a sense of being in a place where I belonged at the end of the day and making me feel like being part of something important. Therefore when I moved to the UK, I actually felt like an important part of my life was missing. Even though I kept going to dance classes, it just wasn’t the same. I missed being part of that dynamic group. YADA was like a family in which we shared laughs, tears, words of encouragement and support and above all our passion for dance.

Upon deciding to return to Malta around a year ago, I knew that amongst the first few people I would call to let them know that I’m back were my dance teachers. Their tone at the other end of the line felt welcoming and genuinly happy to let me back into their dance world, my old dance world, the one I had missed so much. During the phone call, I relived once more the happiness I had once felt when I was first asked to join YADA so many years ago when Felix said that ‘YADA dance company doors are still open for you’.

It felt great to be back to the YADA family, even with the late night rehearsals after work and all the aches and pains it entails. It is worth it, YADA shows and events make the hard work worth it, being on stage as a company and performing as part of a group and also on an individual level also make it worth it. In the same way working towards dancing in San Francisco is hard work but I am sure all the hard work will pay off and seem like nothing in comparison to the thrill of being in that theatre on that stage in January waiting for the curtain to open and waiting to give it all we’ve got – I feel so lucky to be part of this amazing opportunity and new adventure for YADA.

YADA opens doors to new experiences and opportunities and the future is always bright and exciting when you are part of YADA. I therefore look forward to a long future with YADA – I guess in my case the saying ‘you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone’ was true for being with YADA. I now know how hard it is to find another company which pushes me to my limits and makes me dance to the best of my abilities. I learnt to appreciate YADA more and I’m extremely grateful for getting another chance of being with the company once again.

The Dance Rush Members: Meet Keith Micallef: YADA - A New Chapter in my Life !

As a new member of YADA, I am proud to say that my experience there has been extremely positive so far, finding a welcoming group that has accepted me and suitable challenges which constantly push me to better myself in every possible way.

People sometimes ask why I do what I do. I answer that it's mainly the thrill of going on stage, the sheer pleasure from seeing all of your hard work and dedication materializing on stage and the look on people's faces when you walk out and clearly see that they've had a good time. That's not all though, because for me the thrill of walking on stage isn't just a good feeling. It's an addiction, and I'm constantly seeking the rush and exhilaration that I feel in those seconds that I'm waiting in the wings.

YADA has helped me in several ways, exposing me to new styles of dance and various teaching styles and helping me explore a whole new range of movement that I never imagined doing before. Above all, it taught me what it means to commit and devote yourself to what you love, and the rewarding feeling you get when you look back at it.

Dance influences me in several ways. The obvious feature would be physically, with the improved flexibility, strong body, along with all the strain and stress through sore and tired muscles, tendons, joints and other areas. However, it has also influenced me academically, helping me develop an ever-increasing interest in physiotherapy to understand how the body, such a marvelous mechanism, can allow us to move in ways that let us express our innermost feelings, as well as the knowledge to help others pursuing their dreams in dance!

To summarize, I believe that dance is a beautiful and one of the ultimate forms of expression, and I appreciate and love every moment at YADA where we hone our skills in preparation for our ultimate audience - the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, San Francisco!

The Dance Rush Members: Natasha Coppini explains - The Psychology of the Dancer

I joined Yada in 2004 at the age of 15. As a young dancer at the College of Jazz, we looked up to the Yada company members and we watched our idols on stage, hoping one day to be given the opportunity to perform the ‘Big Numbers’ with the company. So, joining Yada for me was a big deal and I felt honoured and proud to form a part of the clan. Going on 8 years now as a company member, I feel that my pride is instilled deeper than ever. 

What has Yada done for me? Plenty! The opportunity to perform the creations of our talented choreographers, to form part of productions that have pushed boundaries and wowed audiences, to explore dance styles that I wouldn’t have otherwise and ultimately to be part of a team, a crew, a family. No one understands us more than our fellow company members; the aching muscles, the injuries, the intense rehearsal schedules, juggling exams, juggling work, juggling friends and boyfriends. Yada has thought me the true meaning of commitment and passion, and dedicating yourself to something you love. No excuses will suffice, rain or shine, freezing or 40 degree temperatures, injuries or under the weather, missing important occasions like a friend’s birthday, or a wedding sometimes!... there is everyone, gathered in the studio, ready to absorb a new choreo and ready to shine! 

The psychology of the dancer is an interesting area, and my interest in the dancer’s obsession with dance was taken a little further when I conducted a research study on the company dancers as part of my Psychology Degree. Dancers are tough beings, they endure aches and pains, fatigue and competition, only turning it all into motivation to progress and achieve. My study showed that while we are challenged daily, and at times may leave the studios feeling discouraged, defeated or exhausted, each and every one of us takes it in our stride and are back the next day with new found motivation and increased strength. We talk, we chat, we discuss, we motivate and encourage each other. For me personally Yada and being part of the company, gave me the motivation I needed to recover from a serious knee injury I suffered earlier in the year. 

While surgeons told me I would not dance very soon, and physiotherapists raised their eyebrows, with a goal at hand and our director’s words of wisdom on my mind, I was able to push forward, despite my limitations and recover in time for our first and very exciting rehearsal for Dance Rush. Thus for me, Yada has thought me the meaning of dedication, motivation, endurance, perseverance and ultimately love and passion. It is on stage, with adrenalin running through our veins, as the first curtain draws that the reward for our hard work will reach its peak, at the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, San Francisco- for most of us, the ultimate dream come true. 

Interview-video of YADA's dancers

The Dance Rush Members: Rachel, Her Dance is on Fire.

Back in 2006 I had the opportunity to join YADA and was very excited and honoured to be part of this energetic and versatile company. Its members where my mentors, my guidance, my dreams. I always hoped and dreamed to be part of YADA so I could perform all the great numbers I used to watch when I was child. One day, my dream came true. 

YADA helped me become a more versatile and professional dancer and also gave me the opportunity to grow more as a human being as it takes a lot of dedication and commitment to be part of an incredible family like YADA. Being part of YADA, you experience loads of different things all the time. You become part of a big family that shares the same energy and feeling towards the passion of dance. There are always some ups and downs like everything in life but in the end, the satisfaction of being on stage and performing at your best is the greatest feeling ever. My dance is like fire. When I dance, I feel this burning sensation inside of me which I want to share and give to the people watching me.  My movements become flames and like fire, I burn with energy and passion across the stage.  

Throughout the years, the company helped me realize that to become a successful dancer and person you have to strive and work hard everyday. You know that you are a committed dancer when you repeatedly turn down social invitations with the usual reply, “I can’t I have dance ☺” . It also helps you realize that there are no excuses for being able to become the best dancer you want to be because everything is possible in life, you just need courage and motivation, and you will reach your highest goal.

As for the future, YADA has a very amazing journey ahead, which has always been one of the dreams the company wanted to achieve. This is also one of the most exciting opportunities a dancer could ever dream of. YADA, from a small island in the Mediterranean to big San Francisco, America.  Let's Rock !!!!

The Dance Rush Members: Meet a Wife, a Mother, a Dancer

A day in the life of the Dance Rush Members. Meet Erika Gatt Coleiro, a wife, a mother but most especially a dancer. 

A relatively fresh face to YADA and I can say that my experience so far has been a positive one. I would be lying if I said it isn't tough having to juggle two jobs, dedicating quality time with my husband and a 1 year old child and trying to keep up with the housework  and cooking before making it to class and late night rehearsals...on time! 

Planning where my little one will be spending her evening is a HUGE headache with daddy working very irregular hours.  I get people, mostly family members and relatives, asking "why do you do it?". I guess it is the love I have for dance and joy that it brings to my life. It is the fuel that drives me to keep going and face the following day with a smile. It is that time of the day where I get to dedicate some time to myself, where I try and forget the pressures of life and release that bundled up tension to focus solely on dancing. 

I believe that dance is therapeutically and beneficial on so many levels; be it psychologically, physically and even socially. It gives the person inner strength to keep going and come to the realisation that in dance there are no limits. There is always room for improvement, which leads me to another reason to "why I do what I do". It is the desire to strive for excellence. The thrill one gets before and during a performance and the satisfaction and sense of achievement that follows is enough to forget about all the sacrifices made. Yes, exhaustion does strike but the body learns to adapts (and so do the people I depend so much on).... eventually! I am extremely lucky to have so much support from the people around me who are making this dream of mine become a reality. 

YADA has given me confidence in my dancing and the opportunity to explore different styles of movement, making me more versatile as a dancer. It also tapped into areas on a deeper level namely positivity, dedication, commitment, and acknowledging moments when things do not go your way. I have learnt to pull myself together on 'bad days' as opposed to resorting to self-pity by persistently trying till it's right.  I feel privileged to be a part of such a strong and dynamic team and look forward to this wonderful opportunity to be dancing in San Francisco. I fell in love with the place while on honeymoon three years ago and I cannot wait to go back amongst such a culturally diverse population and a city which does not fail to impress in terms of artistic richness and spectacular scenic views.

Erika 

What Wikipedia says about YADA?

Nowadays, the most reliable source for information is Wikipedia free encyclopedia. The Yada Dance Company is on the Wikipedia too.  Check it out here.

YADA with the Phantom Dance show and top ten broadway shows ever staged

The Phantom Dance Show by YADA dance Company is based on a book: The Phantom of the Opera. Director Felix Busuttil insists that for this show has offered choreographic help from Justin Roy Barker while the designs of the show are in the hands of Peter Howitt that is famous for film sets block-buster like ‚"Indiana Jones", "Superman", "Braveheart", "Elizabeth" & "The Mummy".

Out of that, there will be 150 dancers to have a part and the wonderful and colourful costumes that have been done by Elvia Leone Ganado and Ernest Camilleri. The music is very phenomenal that is to be played the tracks from "Sleeping Beauty" of Tchaikovsky and "Romeo and Juliet" of Prokoview plus tracks from films like "The Devil's Advocate".

Phantom... The Dance Show is a story of all the years where the music that is to be played makes aspects of the life, dead, love, jealousy and suicides. The story is about a compositor that sells his body to the devil but with the pat that his face remains sfigurate. He lives in the drainage of the theatre of Paris that he remains disgusting with the settlement of the prima ballerina Carlotta and he makes all the things to eliminate her.

It’s not easy to say what are the best Broadway or Dance shows ever staged. Each brings an unrepeatable style and a notable story to the stage that charms the audiences from different countries.

However, there are shows that hold water above the crowd – some that became the common household names and are bringing fans back to theaters again and again. 

Below is a list of the Top Ten Shows that have enhanced the Broadway stage.

1. The Phantom of the Opera is a musical that has been the long - lasting show in the history of Broadway. Since 1988, for 21 years it has been sold out and became the most favorite show for New York City visitors. It has been seen by over 130 million people and it’s the best entertainment project in a history. The show describes the dramatic story of a Phantom who haunts the Paris Opera House. He falls in love with Christine Daae and teaches her to sing like an angel.
2. The Lion King keeps a place at the top of the lists for the 'long-lasting musicals' and 'winners of many viewers’ choice awards.' This show is animated musical-adventure Disney film that attracts families with children.
3. Cats - the longest running show with ending in 2003 has been translated into 20 languages and graced around the world many times. The show tells the life story of a clan of cats called the Jellicles.
4. Les Miserables is the longest musical in London based on the novel from 1862 of the same title by Victor Hugo. The show won eight Tony Awards. 
5. Wicked is the musical that has broken sales records around the world named by Time magazine as the "Best Musical of the Year". Wicked describes the story of what Oz was like, before Dorothy got there.
6. The Producers.
7. A Chorus Line.
8. Hairspray.
9. Rent.
10. Chicago.

YADA's previous highly acclaimed shows!

One of the successful show Yada Dance Company performed is Circle of Senses.

Based on the fantasies and spectacular journeys of powerful signature tunes, CIRCLE OF SENCES is a feast of dance, theatre and visual effects. The base and raw humanity uplifted to a different level. Scents, wind and other elements will constitute just a little of the many surprises in store at this awesome choreographic spectacle. This show will have a quantified and qualified ensemble of exceptional dancers.

CIRCLE OF SENCES in another YADA journey into the stimulus of colour, movement and light. It's a journey to the exotic and colorful world of India, the raw world of Africa, the freedom of love in the Western World, the hunt and the hunted in the Orient, the mystifying world of Arabia amongst other corners in this stimulation planet. The planet which needs to be protected, that needs to be heeled from all it's fear through the ultimate introduction of the Sixth Sense - the sense that lives beyond the realms of reality.

Fire Dance 

FIREDANCE is an adaptation of riverdance - the Show which is a display of Irish dancing, Spanish Flamenco and American Tap that has taken audiences by storm in Ireland, London and America.

Interpreting the music of Bill Wheelan, Firedance shows how these different styles of dance are linked through the use of rhythm and footwork. Inspired by this music, Felix Busuttil, director of the YADA Dance Company, decided to stage Firedance giving Maltese dancers the chance to perform in a dance spectacle and Maltese audience the opportunity of watching them.

Busuttil has also enlisted the additional choreographic talents of Justine Roy Barker, Francesca Abela, Alison Bird, Vivienne Fielding and Rosanna Maya. The number and variety of choregraphers ensure the different interpretations of the score although the main influences remain chiefly Irish, Spanish and Tap.Over 100 dancers had involved in the production, including the Junior School of The College of Jazz Dance. Costumes have been designed by the choreographers themselves and produced by Alex Spiteri , Martanne Muscat, Elvia Leone Ganado and Kristina.

Era 

The book has been opened. The drawing bridge has been let down and the voices cry out the passion and emotion of those past and dark says.

Spectacle is a word synonymous with the Yada Dance Company and "Era" will not fail in portraying such.

Imagine a word where mystery and beauty are only a fraction of space away - imagine a land where nights shone in armor and discussed around the wooden table - imagine a land where damsels where subject of love and the Spanish Inquisition was supreme - imagine fairies, pixies, jesters, gypsies and dark angles - a land of kings and queens - a period when Spanish was under the domain of the Moors - When King Arthur held his magical sword Excalibur, when witches cast nasty spells and others burned at the stake... lost in time... alive and human!

Era is a colorful mixture of dance , music and theatre with a cast of over 100 dancers and musicians and incorporating the haunting voice of Debbie Scerri. The show incorporates a setting of fairies, pixies, jesters, gypsies and dark angels, kings and queens where witches cast nasty spells and others are burned at the stake. 

Graffiti 

Produced by Felix Busuttil and Catherine Strawbridge, Graffiti features a cast of 25 of YADA's best in an evening of contemporary jazz dance.

Act One includes a showing of three choregraphies, Classical Graffiti, Karma and Cyber Space all created by Justin Roy Barker. Classical Graffiti expands from the grace of classical ballet to the strong and zestful movements of modern jazz ballet. Karma consists of soft and smooth contemporary styles movements that warm the soul with inner peace. Cyber Space is made up of six pieces of music all with an exact, futuristic sound; the movements are harsh, rapid, snatched and short.

Moulin Rouge 

In 1899, a young poet named Christian by the name of played by Daron Galea leaves his family's home and heads off to the Montmartre districts of Paris, where he is soon taken under the wing of the painter Henri Toulouse-Lautrec and his gang of fellow bohemians.

Recruited by the diminutive artist to work on a play starring the Moulin Rouge nightclub's main attraction, the exquisite courtesan Satine played by the beautiful Daphne Smith, Christian finds himself ringside at her show and it's love at first sight for the young writer. The feeling is mutual when Satine mistakes Christian for the Duke who promised to bankroll the show in excahnge for her formidable services.

By the time she reakises her mistake it's too late as Christian owns her heart - even the besotted Duke's dark threats can't keep herin line. Not that it realy matters, since Moulin Rouge owner Zidler is keeping a tragic secret from poor, doomed Satine.

Ah to be young, in love, and dying of consumption in Paris! 

DANCE RUSH - BIO OF DANCERS

FELIX BUSUTTIL

Director and Founder of The Company

Main Choreographer 

Co-Director, YADA Dance Academies and The College of Jazz Dance

Company Dancer

Felix Busuttil born and bred on a Mediterranean island that barely covers 25 kilometres called Gozo and forming part of the Maltese archipelago started pirouetting in his mother’s womb. This undying passion for dance resulted in a consequence of events that formed The YADA Dance Company, three dance institutions, a brand and huge theatrical representations. Felix started dancing in Malta at The Alison White Dance Studios and The Tanya Bajona Poutiatine Academy of Ballet. He furthered his studies at The London Studio Centre Performing Arts School. During the last 30 years, Felix has achieved many local merits and choreographed for opera, dance shows and festivals in Malta and overseas namely in Denmark, Switzerland, France, Turkey, India, Italy and Spain. He has danced and choreographed in the presence of H.R.H. Queen Elizabeth II and Mr. Tony Blair – has danced in Hollywood movies such as Cutthroat Island and Gladiators – and has worked with renowned names such as national icon and world-famous opera voices the likes of Miriam Gauci and Joseph Calleja. He has graced dance spaces such as Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen and Plaza Mayor in Madrid. YADA has become a household name in Malta having produced in the last 17 years an extensive repertoire of successful dance spectacles. Felix is appreciated by Malta’s Head of Government in Office as a true portent of professionalism in dance in Malta. He is presently a member on the Mediterranean Conference Centre Board of Directors, Malta’s national theatre. Felix has worked extensively with other top international dance tutors worldwide.

He believes strongly in the power of positive thinking, endless determination and perseverance and the beauty of dance in all our lives. America is one of his favourite ideal “state of mind”.  He advocates the importance of culture within our children’s education and the power of music, theatre and dance that bring nations together.

LISA BRINCAT

Lisa was born in London. She was deemed a fighter at birth. She could not wait to enter the world and popped out at only six months. Her love for dance started at the age of three where she started training in Ballet. At The College of Jazz Dance, she furthered her dance genres since 1998 where she now also teaches. Lisa joined YADA in 2003 and became of the top dancers in 2007. She graduated in Jazz Dance in 2008 and obtained her Diploma in Dance Instruction in 2011. Brincat won various local scholarships including The Classical Ballet Award in 2002 and The Matt Mattox Award for Outstanding Achievement in 2006. Lisa has danced in YADA's major productions locally and overseas, and has attended various courses both locally and at Tring Park School for The Performing Arts and BodyWork Company Dance Studios in the UK. Her personal highlights include being awarded a scholarship to attend the Kledi Kadiu Academia Di Danza in Rome, Italy. Her strong sense of perfectionism is immediately noticed.

DARON GALEA

Resident YADA Dance Company Choreographer

Co-Director, The YADA Dance Academies, Malta

Company Dancer

Daron started dance at a very early age when he was just six years old. He studied in top Classical Maltese Dance Schools and was also trained by Felix Busuttil and Justin Roy Barker at The College of Jazz Dance. He received a major scholarship in Rome at the Kledi Kadiu Academy of Dance. His foreign credits relate mainly being part of The YADA Dance Company where he danced at The Peacock Theatre in Copenhagen, Denmark, at The Lucerne Concert Auditorium, Switzerland, in Plaza Major, Madrid, Spain and also at the Mumbai Royal Westin Hotel in India just to name a few. He has been recently asked to become resident choreographer with the company and was winner of many choreographic prestigious awards. He performed as a soloist in YADA’s Tango at Malta’s Baroque theatre, The Manoel in 1999 and played the part of Christian in YADA’s rendition of Moulin Rouge at The Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta, Malta in 2003. He is very excited to be dancing in America as this country represents one of his favourite and most blessed countries in the world. 

JUSTIN ROY BARKER

Main Resident YADA Dance Company Choreographer

Co-Director, The College of Jazz Dance

Company Dancer

Justin, born and bred in Redditch, Birmingham, UK, started dancing at the age of 12 and moved to London at 18 to study at the London Studio Center Performing Arts School.  He later received a scholarship at the Vaganova Academy in St Petersburg, Russia.  His foreign credits include performing at the Barbican Theater and the Wimbledon Theater in London and in Plaza Mayor in Madrid, Spain and The Peacock Theater in Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen, with the YADA Dance Company.  His other major foreign credit was performing for the London City Ballet.  He has choreographed for major theatre companies such as the musicals The King and I and Fiddler on the Roof.  Together with Felix, he now co-directs Malta’s largest dance academy, The College of Jazz Dance.  He now forms an integral part of YADA and has been a choreographic creative force during its existence.

TANYA BAYONA

Guest Choreographer

Tanya Bayona, a Fellow of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, London and holder of the Enrico Cecchetti Diploma directed the Tanya Bayona Princess Poutiatine Academy of Ballet for 23 years.  She started her training in Malta with Princess Nathalie Poutiatine and continued her professional training in London, Rome and Paris.  In 1965 Tanya introduced the Cecchetti Method in Classical Ballet to the Maltese Islands.  She established her own ballet school which she successfully directed until 2004.  Tanya has worked extensively as a dancer and choreographer with her own company in both local and international festivals, as well as in theatre and television productions.  

On July 26^th 2009 Tanya Bayona was honoured with the Enrico Cecchetti Gold Medal at the Royal Ballet School, London.  Her most recent activities include special guest appearance as the Queen in Swan Lake and Clara’s mother in Nutcracker, both local productions with international participation held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta.  In December 2008 Tanya Bayona was decorated by the President of the Republic of Malta, Hon. Dr. Edward Fenech Adami, with the Medal for Service to the Republic (MQR) of the National Order of Merit for her life-long commitment to dance and promoting Classical Ballet in Malta.

www.tanyabayona.com

 DANCE RUSH SHOW VIDEO PREVIEW

YADA’S DANCE RUSH ENGINE SWITCHED ON

YADA’s dancers swing, kick, pirouette and lift daily. Ballet shoes are hung and re-worn for Nina’s classes. Matias, the 12-year old mascot dancer travels from over the sea weekly from the sister-island of Gozo to rehearse. Felix and the other choreographers study, day-dream and get inspired from the music to create. Costume designers and make-up artistes meet up and communicate so that their creations will dazzle. Special effects, projections and visuals have started being built on computer screens. The YADA studios have started to look like bee-hives in preparation for their next production. It is a very exciting period.

DANCE RUSH tells the story of an orphan looking for his lost parents and finds them through the media of music and dance. The brand YADA is unique and original. It pushes theatrical boundaries involving the audiences with fever-pitch choreography. The whole theatre becomes the stage. The choice of music very eclectic – like a chocolate box, filled with varied tastes. YADA has matured through its 30-years of existence. But even when it started in 1984 with its first show, the audiences stood up and wanted more. The elements in YADA’s shows are simple – the understanding of human nature, a joie-de-vivre that is infectious and above all the passion for dance that is so vivid and alive that makes one leave the theatre feel elated. DANCE RUSH will deliver just that. It takes this young boy on seven fantastic journeys –the world of Jazz, Opera, Classical, Rock, Swing, Ethnic and Commercial – until it reaches the climax. A young orphan re-finding home fulfilling all his wishes. It tells the story of us all. The need to come home, to find solace and happiness . And many times when we are away from “home” physically, mentally or emotionally, any familiar music will transport us just there. Dance is great. It can be transported all over the world and is understood. YADA is well-known as an European-identity dance company. It sets to light its American dream and make it a reality. The director’s principle goal is one – give joy, makes one lose all negativity and find a sense in this senseless world.

YADA stems for a little rock in the heart of the Mediterranean. America for all the dancers is true excitement. Malta is only an island 14km by 29km. Tiny. With a population of only 450,000. But through this sheer want to be heard and exist, its artistes has developed a strong passion for the Arts. Not through the want of fame or business, but the true essence of Art. The need to share, to communicate, to embellish. Malta is truly an economical success. No resources, no lakes or rivers, no bridges, no trains or metros, no high amounts of exports. Nevertheless, the island has strong values, a high sense of education and powerful will to survive. Its people hospitable, friendly, trusting. Through the ages, Malta has been conquered by Prehistoric inhabitants, the Phoenicians, the Romans, the Arabs, the Normans, the Knights of St. John ( the first true European Union ), the French and finally the British. This weird but effervescent mixture has stewed and fermented into what is today Maltese. European yes but decidedly rare and unique. So, for YADA to perform in the great US of A it is truly magical, demanding, daunting…. And wonderful.

Dance rehearsals are in full swing and the dancers are reminded as they face their wall-to-wall mirror of this amazing journey that starts in San Francisco in January 2013 at The Palace of Fine Arts in the heart of the city. Humbly they shall be bringing their incredible journey from the Mediterranean Sea to the Pacific. A strong troupe of 40 dancers, singers, technical and artistic crew with one mission in mind – to deliver, perform and share in this experience. The DANCE RUSH experience.

DANCE RUSH , The YADA Dance Company – The Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco.

Ticket's show in San Francisco sale opened

Night out n San Francisco; enjoy the show by Maltese at Palace of Fine Arts Theatre! Tickets on sale at
http://dance-rush.tix.com/

The YADA Dance Company will grace for the first time an American stage in January 2013. DANCE RUSH will be premiered at The Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco on January 11th to be exact. This highly acclaimed and already popular European company has a particular brand – entertainment and spectacle at its best that leave audiences jump on their seats and join in the dance. This company has taken Europe by surprise with its unique rendition of dance shows, where the whole auditorium becomes a part of the stage, where emotions are destined to be touched and where from beginning to end, color and design take centre-stage.

YADA is truly a miracle company as this successful company was born through a population of only 400,000 Maltese – Malta lies in the heart of the Mediterranean but has strong values, a deep sense of spirituality and a love for the stage derived from passion and not only from business. Felix Busutttil, Director and Founder of YADA, was born in the smaller sister island, Gozo with a mere 26 square mile size, roughly the size of Manhattan and a population of only 31,000! The islands boast of 6000 years of history possessing the oldest pre-historic temples of the world built 2000 years before the Pyramids of Giza. Coming from such a small country did not however stop Felix in creating this empire. Through sheer determination and a deep-seated belief, the company has become truly international starting its World Tour in San Francisco.

“ When I started to dance, it was quite late” Felix quotes. “ I started professionally at the age of 17. Quite late. But since I was a child, music just mesmerized me – I used to stare and visualize whole shows, complete shows with lights and costumes at the age of 8 and 10. I never closed my eyes to see and feel it – I was blessed by some powerful force to change music into movement and when I felt it, I transformed it into reality. The famous saying “Thoughts become reality”…”

Felix continues” Dance took over, music controlled me – and I have always wished to transfer and share the same elating music to all around me. I wished all felt how powerful music is – it makes one feel good, moves, changes, brings comfort, joy and compassion. It builds spectacles, cities, cultures and humanity. It seems that nature itself is governed by music. The ebb and flow, the crescendo and the andante, the sounds of weather and the creatures that roam planet Earth. The sounds of children laughing, our machinery at work, our walking… it is what inspired me to choreograph DANCE RUSH.”

The show is inspired by the motion picture “August Rush” – it tells the story orphaned who escapes this imprisoned environment to look for his parents who believe the child is long gone and dead. Music brings them closer and closer until they finally meet in the freest area in New York, Central Park under a starlit night as his composition is being played. “DANCE RUSH” is inspired by such story – the child is all of us. Our parents are those, anyone who brings us to life. Two people who give total comfort, warmth and love unconditionally. It is what universally we all hold dear. We want to escape from our constricted lives to come home through the beauty and splendor of music. Music is marvelously and solely made up of seven notes – seven notes that have an endless motion and diversity. And it these seven notes, these seven journeys into music that bring us closer to home – classical music, world music, opera, jazz, contemporary and celebrative music, ethnic and rock music… together with the sounds that surround us daily from the moment in our mother’s womb to the last breath and further beyond.

YADA’s DANCE RUSH will be premiered in Malta under the distinguished patronage of H.E. The President of The Republic of Malta, Europe on the 27th October 2012.

For further information visit www.dance-rush.com
And what better medium to utilize as a symbiosis with the same music, the same story, the story of our lives…brought to you through DANCE – the two entities, dance and music, a marriage born in heaven. This thought become a reality in my soul, in my mind and in my heart… And I am so sure that YADA will take you on a journey of a lifetime that will touch your souls and make you feel when leaving the theatres a part of it all, feeling you deserve to be home, feeling the POWER OF MUSIC… Enjoy the show”.

Felix Busuttil
Director, The YADA Dance Company
Creator of DANCE RUSH
March 2012