Sarah Boulter Interview

SYTYCD's Sarah Boulter
By Dolce Fisher Sarah Boulter has become a household name through her spell bounding choreography featured in So You Think You Can Dance Australia. The Co-Director of Ev&Bow full time dance training centre in Sydney, and an instructor at Sydney Dance Company Studios, Sarah is not only a skilled choreographer and teacher, but an amazing performer, having worked in London, Italy and Las Vegas. Sarah has performed in the hit musical Notre Dame de Paris in Europe, the Edinburgh Festival, The Royal Variety performance and The Queens 50th jubilee celebration in London, as well as 'A New Day' - Celine Dion Las Vegas show , directed by Franco Dragone and choreographed by Mia Michaels in the US, amongst her many career highlights. Dance Informa’s Dolce Fisher spoke with Sarah as auditions for the next season of So You Think You Can Dance begin. You have had a successful career in Australia & overseas, what has been the most memorable performance experience? Oh, it’s a funny one really. I was performing a solo for the Queen and there was a technical problem so I had to continue to improvise for a further minute after the solo (the longest minute of my life). Who has influenced you the most in your career? I feel so lucky to have worked with many great choreographers and directors all over the world but I have to say that my parents have had the most influence on my career. They installed in me to always work hard, never give up and always seek new opportunities. You started working overseas at only 16 with Darc Swan, how did you find working and living away from home at such a young age? Darc Swan was a contemporary company based in Sydney that had an extensive touring programme. The director was
	Sarah Boutler performing

	Students from Ev&Bow

a fabulous man called Chris Janides. I always thank Chris
for giving me an opportunity at such a young age. We practically toured around Australia for the whole year and it certainly made me grow up fast. There were a few tears along the way but I never gave up!

You have worked with Mia Michaels in Celine Dion’s ‘A New Day’ Tour. Is working with Mia as intense as it looks
on TV?
Yes, I would describe working with Mia as very intense. One quality she displays, which at times could be harsh, is honesty! Mia would make it quite clear if you weren't up to scratch. Mia knows exactly what she wants and there is certainly no beating around the bush.

Have you always wanted to become a choreographer?
No, I didn't really plan on becoming a choreographer, but I have always enjoyed creating movement and I have always had a specific idea of how I like things executed. I guess most of my dance jobs have involved being part of the creation period and that has just nurtured the skill.

What do you draw your choreographic inspiration from?
Inspiration for me comes from life in general. The more I experience the more I am inspired. The more I travel and observe other cultures, the more I become inspired.

Many people are familiar with your work from Season 1 of SYTYCD. How did you find working with dancers from different dance backgrounds?
Oh yes, it certainly was a challenge, however I think the biggest challenge is the lack of time that you have with dancers.

You’ve been teaching for a while now, what made you open your own studio – Ev&Bow?
Yes, I had been teaching for a while. It really was a step for my future. I know that I work hard and give 150% so I may as well do it for myself. I also started to have my own ideas on what I thought students needed in their training.

What is different about Ev&Bow from other full time schools?
I see Ev&Bow as a boutique school. We are not interested in having hundreds of students, in fact the opposite. We pride ourselves on small numbers so we can really have a hands on approach with each and every one. Ev&Bow is only for full time students, so that is its only focus. Ev&Bow also has a Contemporary / Classical course with equal amounts of each practice.

What advice would you give to young dancers?
Don’t waste a minute when you're training, you can always better your self ...... Enjoy your life as it reflects into your dance.

What’s next for Sarah Boulter?
Next on the agenda is a baby in February, straight into a season of SYTYCD and then a knockout year at Ev&Bow.

Audition for Ev&Bow on November 2nd at Bangarra Studios.
Visit www.evandbow.com for more information.

Also come along to the premiere of Ev&Bow shows on November 21st at The Factory, Marickville and look out for Sarah Boulter in next year's season of SYTYCD.