On Stage with Alex Cook – Pilates teacher and dancer, Armidale NSW
Alex Cook was just three and a half years old when she started dance lessons. Since then she’s trained in contemporary and classical ballet, jazz, Irish dance and, after suffering a serious spinal injury, added Pilates to the mix. Discover how she moves her body today from her new home in Armidale, NSW.
Let’s start at the beginning – where did you grow up, and what did you treasure most about your upbringing?
I grew up in Camden, NSW. Back then it was a small country town and while it’s a little bigger now, it has still retained a lot of its charm. I am part of a close-knit family and we all grew up spending a lot of time together, going on holidays down to the South Coast of NSW. I’ll always treasure those memories by the beach with my family.
How old were you when you started learning?
I started taking lessons at three and a half, and my interest grew right through childhood into my early teens and then as a young adult. The more involved I got with dance, the more I loved and connected to it.
Was there someone or something in your life that inspired your interest in dance?
I’ve been interested in dance for as long as I can remember. I have been fortunate to have parents who are very encouraging and supportive of my creative endeavours. My dad, although not a dancer himself (I beg to differ), has always shared my passion for the performing and creative arts. He grew up around opera, classical music, and theatre and he definitely passed on that appreciation and connection with the arts to me from a young age. He would be a key figure who kept my interest inspired throughout my early years and into adulthood. To this day, he still relishes being my plus-one to any and all creative events and performances.
Do you have a favourite dance style? If so, what is it and why?
My own style is probably my favourite. I love to improvise and move in a way that feels interesting, curious and good for me and my body. I’ve trained in contemporary and classical ballet, jazz, even Irish dance and I guess everything I’ve learnt and been exposed to has informed my own experience and style of movement.
Talk to me about your career to date – where did you study post-school, and can you tell me a bit about your time in the industry before moving to Armidale?
I trained for a couple of years with the Premier State Ballet Company at The McDonald College and after graduating high school, I trained at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. I’ve been fortunate to work with some great choreographers over the years; Justin Rutzou, Dean Walsh, Nanette Hassall, Rhiannon Newton, Brett Murray and Josephine Jason. I’ve also dabbled a lot in the cabaret world and have worked with some pretty incredible artists, including Brendan de la Hay, travelling and performing in shows in Australia and Hong Kong. I also performed with Brendan on Australia’s Got Talent – lots of fun, reality tv is a crazy place. When I moved to Armidale, I picked up teaching dance. I've done little bits here and there and have also taught classes for advanced students and adults at the New England Dance Theatre.
What led you to add Pilates to the mix?
Pilates was a natural progression for me, however, after a serious spinal injury it became more of a focus. Partially for rehabilitation and then to keep me feeling strong, fit and mentally in check too. The link between mind/body for me is clear and I can always recognise the difference in myself when I’m not moving, or prioritising the physical health and strength of my body. Becoming an instructor soon followed as a way to impart some of the knowledge and awareness I have of how the body does and can move, how movement is not one-dimensional and definitely not one size fits all.
How do you work to ensure both Pilates and dance is still a part of your life today?
They both inform each other. Both movement methods are connected and for me, having had a long experience with both, they have become interchangeable. I often find that qualities from my dance background, like an understanding of biomechanics, dynamic movement and rhythm, hugely expand on my Pilates practice and teaching. I still teach dance and I love it. I often find time to let myself move more now I’m a little older and doing it for expression and enjoyment, for fulfilling a creative interest and stimulation. It’s no longer about performing for anyone else but rather to explore myself and my body, which I try to make sure I find time for
What’s been your biggest challenge of your dance career so far?
I guess I didn’t really have the dance career I thought I would. I got injured fairly young and my journey shifted and I had to grow up a lot when it came to my expectations of what a career in dance was and what it looked like. It wasn’t linear and it didn’t follow the path I had predicted from a very young age. The challenge lay in accepting that, learning from it and continuing to grow on my understanding of what dance meant to me and what it does now.
And what about your biggest highlight?
I’ve been really lucky to meet some exceptional people through dance. Creative thinkers and emotionally curious individuals who seek to get the most out of themselves and their lives. Another regular highlight for me – meeting young people and teaching them to appreciate, respect and be curious about themselves and the world around them. That is a job I’m pretty honoured to have.
What do you love most about dancing and where to from here?
It’s entirely my own adventure. There isn’t a greater feeling of energy and connection I feel with myself than when I’m moving. It makes me feel more alive and more myself. Keep moving, creating and working on small projects that fuel me for the long term. I’d love to keep choreographing for young dancers and continue to share my movement practices and understandings with people.
Shake your tail feather
You can find Alex choreographing mad dance moves and instructing Pilates (that burns) at both her home studio and at the New England Dance Theatre. She is also currently hosting open dance classes for adults learning the choreography from Jungle’s new album Volcano. All abilities welcome!
