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Meet Travers Ross, the choreographer inspiring a new generation of dancers…
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By Kristy Johnson
Meet Travers Ross, a passionate yet humble professional dancer, choreographing since the young age of twelve in his hometown of Coffs Harbour. For those who assume that Travers is an overnight success due to his recent role as choreographer for So You Think You Can Dance, it has been a lifelong passion for dance that has propelled him to such success.
After meeting with Travers at his recent Utopian Dream Dance Festival held in January in Coffs Harbour, attracting hundreds of dancers from Australia and abroad, I feel that Travers will be considered a true pioneer of dance in the years to come - a pioneer who enables dance to be readily accessible to all Australians no matter what standard, age or region.
Although still young, Travers Ross has already achieved so much. Yet his ability to remain grounded whilst challenging himself to attain new goals is what makes him appealing to those around him. With a career to date that has enabled him to collaborate with the likes of Richard ‘Swoop’ Whitebear, Jesse Rasmussen and Dave Scott, Travers surrounds himself with similar artists who are not only “phenomenal people” but also “expressive” through their movement. Travers refers to Dave Scott, who he trained with in LA, as having a “raw style” that has definitely left its mark on him.
Through attending the Newtown High School of Performing Arts, Travers developed “focus and determination”, which he considers very important for aspiring dancers and choreographers. His unique style “Trip Hop” demonstrates such a focus on each individual movement that it’s almost impossible to not want to be in line with his vision. Similar to Popping legend Nacho Pop’s views regarding passion for dance, Travers Ross suggests that there is a sufficient amount of work available for all dancers if they “do what they love.”
With Hip Hop as a culture influencing his unique style, Travers refers to Ballet as having the ability to “make a better Break Dancer.” Although both disciplines may appear to be on a totally different spectrum, both art forms require technique, coordination and the ability to entertain an audience.
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Travers Ross. Photo: Erik Ityler from Hollywood
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Dancers at Utopian Dream dance festival, directed by Travers Ross
Photo: Eduardo Murillo Design |
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Guest master classes are considered a vital tool in keeping dancers on the cutting edge, through exposing dancers to different styles and forms of movement. Travers works to provide such opportunities for Australian dancers through events such as Utopian Dream which is a five day multicultural dance festival with international professional choreographers of Jazz, Hip Hop, Latin, Contemporary, Ballet, Indigenous dance and more. With a majority of Australian dancers travelling to the United States to elite institutions including Edge and Millennium Dance Complex, Travers describes the competition in this area of the world to be “intense” with the capacity to take the dancer to “another level” in which constantly creating new movement is imperative.
So You Think You Can Dance emphasises the importance of versatility within genres, and this versatility in such an art form is what Travers considers to contribute to career longevity. The workshops, tours and performance courses Travers embarks on, reflect a myriad of dance opportunities that allow a “straight up connection” between dancers whether male or female, Ballet or Break Dancer. The vibe of these events including Utopian Dream is one of encouragement and awareness of all things dance, where “peace and harmony” create great works.
Travers Ross is currently on tour with Fly Fresh Entertainment, encouraging and inspiring yet a new legion of dancers throughout the country. A partnered entertainment company along side Tap Dog Jesse Rasmussen, Fly Fresh Entertainment will be touring USA and Australia regularly to train, teach, choreograph and hold events.
To find out more about Travers and Fly Fresh Entertainment visit www.flyfresh.com.au
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