Margaret Wingrove has created over 80 works for her dancers. She has also been a frequent guest choreographer for other dance companies. These hosts have included the Palo Alto Ballet, Berkeley Ballet, San Jose Dance Theater, Janlyn Dance Company, and dancers from the San Francisco Ballet and the San Jose Cleveland Ballet. Wingrove has performed and studied extensively on both the east and west coasts with modern dancers Paul Sanasardo, Norman Walker, Lucas Hoving, and Richard Gibson. She also ... view more »
What do you do now? Has your art evolved or changed?
I received my Arts Council Fellowship Award for Choreography in 2009 - 28 years after starting my dance company in San Jose in 1981. It was so meaningful to me to be recognized at that time for over 110 works I had choreographed for the Margaret Wingrove Dance Company as well as collaborations with Symphony Silicon Valley, Opera San Jos?, San Jose Taiko, and dancers from Ballet San Jose. As artists we do what we do because we love it; but to receive praise and encouragement from one?s own community is very special and stimulates us to strive to do more. Thank you Arts Council/Silicon Valley Creates for such an honor!
What is one piece of advice you would give to an emerging artist?
I am still director of the Margaret Wingrove Dance Company (MWDC) - now in its 34th year! My focus is very much now in choreographing for other dance companies as well as for MWDC. Most recently I choreographed a work for sjDANCEco "Leonie, Love, Loss, and Light" which was a wonderful experience. Modern Dance has evolved over the years to include many dance forms. This adds a real richness to the choice of dance vocabulary movement a choreographer can use in creating innovative works.
Briefly, how would you describe the state of the arts locally, as well as national and beyond?
Never give up! Have a passion for your art and faith in yourself - you will need this to overcome the many obstacles ahead... but it's worth it! It's truly a blessing to be able to share the gift and talents you been given with members of your community and beyond.
struggling but vibrantly alive