Peter Chu and Hollywood en Pointe

When offered the chance to speak with Peter Chu, a true artist and spectacular talent in every sense of the word (as well as a Florida native), I happily (and excitedly) accepted. 

                    
Peter Chu from peter chu on Vimeo.

Peter got his start training as a competitive gymnast and cheerleader. He nurtured his artistry at Dussich Dance Studio where his evolution into dance began. Eventually, Peter ended up studying at Juilliard where upon his graduation he was awarded the Hector Zaraspe Prize for Choreography.

Peter has performed with  BJM _Danse, EZdanza, as the lead in Christina Perri's Jar of Hearts music video, in Celine Dion's Vegas spectacular- A New Day, as well as dancing extensively with Crystal Pite's Kidd Pivot. Peter has also choreographed for Naomi Stikeman's, Çaturn (consulted by Robert Lepage), ARTV series in Quebec: Meneuse de Claques and was awarded the honour of being the choreographer for the Perry-Mansfield New Works Festival (directed by Linda Kent), among others. As of recent, Peter choreographed for season 9 of "So You Think You Can Dance". 

However, his latest project, creating a new work for the Orlando Ballet Theatre, under the direction of Robert Hill, is what led me to our phone conversation and what I want to share with all of you... 

Robert Hill's Hollywood en Pointe, to be preformed this coming February 15-16, 2013, at The Bob Carr Preforming Arts Center, is a new ballet set to Hollywood's most beautiful and powerful music. When I asked Peter his thoughts on the upcoming performance and his role in it, he (understandably) didn't want to give away too much information but he did tell me that his piece is about love and all that it entails. More than anything, Peter seemed extremely honored to be working under the direction of his childhood Idol (Robert Hill) and grateful for the opportunity to showcase his stunning and unique choreography. 

In Peters own words: “Having grown up in Cocoa Beach, Florida, I consider it a true privilege to return to my home state to make my choreographic debut with a professional ballet company of this stature.”

“I have had the fortune of working with some of the world’s most talented, inspiring, and invigorating performers, yet it has always been my lifelong goal to work with a classically trained ballet company. To be able to marry my unique dance aesthetic with the expertise of this ballet company is truly a dream come true.”

“It is an incredible honor to be working with Orlando Ballet’s Artistic Director, Robert Hill, and the full company of accomplished dancers."

The 10 year old ballerina in me (still trying to master the first through fifth position and still stuck in the back of Miss Rolans dance class) had to ask if he had any words for aspiring performers ..."Continue to learn, continue to craft your art, continue to have patience while riding this wave.  Dance is a process and defining details take time."

{Peter Chu, thank you... I enjoyed our conversation and look forward to seeing you in Hollywood en Pointe!}
For more information on Peter visit Chuthis

For more information on Hollywood en Pointe visit The Orlando Ballet

Regardless of where you live, embrace the arts, especially the ones local to you... If you're in the Central Florida area, take some time this coming weekend to enjoy the ballet!

**Photos and video courtesy of Chuthis