Innovative Dance: Lauren Messina on Art, Creativity & Community

Get ready for thought-provoking conversations on 'The Truth in This Art' podcast, with your host, Rob Lee, and today’s guest: Lauren Ashlee Messina, a versatile dancer, choreographer, and mentor, as she engages in a captivating conversation with host Rob Lee on The Truth In This Art Beyond New Orleans. With a Master of Fine Arts in Dance from Belhaven University and training from the Ailey School, Lauren's artistry shines through collaborations with esteemed dance companies and national stage performances. Beyond her artistic prowess, Lauren is a dedicated advocate for dance education and accessibility, impacting both young minds and adults through the New Orleans School of Ballet. Tune in to explore the dynamic world of dance, the transformative power of the arts, and Lauren's invaluable contributions to inspiring and empowering artistic journeys.

About the New Orleans School of Ballet

New Orleans School of Ballet provides classical training to young people and adults in a supportive & nurturing environment. We serve two distinct groups, children and adults interested in the exploration of classical ballet and discovering the joy of dance and dancers in the serious pursuit of a professional ballet career.
 
New Orleans School of Ballet provides pre-professional dancers with a rigorous and comprehensive curriculum, mentorship, and performance opportunities.  
The School helps young dancers with exceptional potential, talent, and a strong interest in classical ballet find financial, developmental, and social support.

In this episode, we uncover:

• Messina's transformative journey from writing and poetry to her acclaimed career in dance.
• How the spark of dance was ignited in Messina's life through parental encouragement and early lessons.
• The profound impact of training at Bell Haven University and the Ailey School on Messina's unique choreographic style.
• The vibrant tapestry of the New Orleans dance community, where African and folkloric dance form a powerful presence.
• Messina's deep wellspring of motivation, rooted in sharing uplifting messages, and her empowering realization that artistic success is distinct from external validation.

In this episode, host Rob Lee interviews Lauren Ashlee Messina, a dancer and choreographer based in New Orleans. Messina shares her early creative interests in writing and how she got started in dance. She discusses her training at Bell Haven University and the Ailey School, as well as her experiences in the New Orleans dance community. Messina also talks about her creative process and the challenges she faces as an artist.

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Host: Rob Lee
Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.
Production:

• Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel Alexis
• Edited by Daniel Alexis
• Show Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and Transistor

Photos:

• Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.
• Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.

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