Interview with Brian Lawton

Brian Lawton

Brian Lawton is a professional dancer and teacher in New York. He currently dances with Swing X, The Big Apple Lindy Hoppers, The Ground Grippers Dance Company, and teaches at DanceSport.  To learn more about Brian and his dancing, visit his site!

AAD: When did you first begin dancing?

Brian: I first started dancing in the fifth grade when I began taking classes at the Pennsylvania School of the Performing Arts, where I was trained in classical ballet, lyrical, jazz, tap, musical theatre and more for nine years. Upon graduating from high school, I traveled to New York City where I first encountered social dancing in the form of Lindy Hop and quickly became addicted.

AAD: What style of dance do you prefer and why?

Brian: Lindy Hop is by far my dance of choice. I love it’s high energy and inherently joyful nature and believe that it suits my personality. Whenever a swing song comes on, I can’t help but tap my toes and break into dance. However, I also love how dynamic the dance is. While it is known for it’s energy and cheerfulness, the dance can also be used to express all other emotions, whether they be sad, silly, or sultry. Lindy Hop is of course my favorite dance, but I could never be happy knowing only one style of dance. I love all styles of dance and find the greatest pleasure in learning new ones.

AAD: How would you describe your passion for dance?

Brian: I would describe it as an addiction. An addiction which is triggered by good music (whether that music be playing out loud or merely in my head). Once the song starts I can’t resist getting up and dancing, but even when there is no music playing, dance is what I think about and dream about.

AAD: Tell us about your decision to become a professional dancer.

Brian: For a long time I thought I would join a professional ballet company after high school and make my future there, but in my senior year of high school I decided I wanted to pursue medicine after an inspiring semester of Anatomy and Physiology. I was accepted to NYU, majored in Nutrition, and minored in Chemistry with the intention of applying to medical schools after. However, during my first week of college I attended a swing dance lesson hosted by the NYU Swing Dance Society. There I discovered two things which inevitably lead to my pursuing dance instead of medicine. The first was my love for swing dancing and social dancing in general which still continues to grow every day. The second was a fellow dancer named Laurie Scherer who, unbeknownst to me at the time, would eventually become my biggest advocate for pursuing my dreams of dancing and becoming a professional dancer, performer, and instructor. She was also the one to teach me the basics in many of my favorite ballroom dances. My undergraduate career was full of moments of uncertainty, but with support from Laurie and others like her, I graduated fully committed to my plan of pursuing dance. Now, as a full-time teacher at Paul Pellicoro’s Dancesport and performer with Ryan Francois’ international troupe “Swing Xtreme,” I’m on my way!

AAD: What would you tell a prospective student to get them interested in dance?

Brian: I would tell them that social dancing is a great way to meet new people and make friends. It’s called “social” dancing for a reason!

AAD: What is the most challenging thing about your career?

Brian: Finding the time to see family and non-dance friends. My “normal” work schedule is weekdays 2:00pm-11:00pm with rehearsals before that in the morning, and most other people work 9am-5pm. Not to mention that weekends are often taken up with lessons and performances. No rest for the starving artist, I suppose.

AAD: What do you feel and think when you are performing?

Brian: This is a several part answer, one part for each type of performance I usually do:

Brian Lawton Performing

1) Solo choreographed dancing: I often find myself hyper aware of what I am doing, seeing, and feeling which sounds like a good thing but often proves distracting. I notice small details like individuals in the audience and conduct inner dialogues with myself such as, “I wonder what would happen if I mess up… Don’t think about messing up Brian, just focus on what you are doing. Here comes that tricky part…” etc. etc.

2) Solo improvisational dancing: I find that I am a lot more tuned into the music and the inner dialogue tends to disappear altogether. The dancing becomes less about remembering cues and choreography and more about listening to the music and responding to it.

3) Partnered choreographed dancing: While this still requires remembering choreography, it also requires focusing on giving the proper lead to my partner. Because of this my focus is directed towards my partner.

4) Partnered improvisational dancing: During these performances I think not only about leading, but also about the music and expressing it through my dancing. I have to be in tune with the music and my partner.

AAD: How do you keep yourself motivated and maintain creative thinking during your off time?

Brian: I usually do this by choreographing. Whenever I find a great song, I put on my iPod and play it on repeat. Most of my performances are choreographed on bus and plane rides (the only problem is writing them down in a way that I can easily read later on).

AAD: What is the most valuable advice you have received from a teacher or mentor?

Brian: Never dance to two songs the same way. Dancing is a visual expression of music and therefore songs with different feelings call for different styles of dancing. -Ryan Francois

“I am only ever honored when I am invited to dance, never insulted when I’m not.” -Roddy Caravella

I especially love this one. While it is not about dancing per say, it is an attitude of professionalism that I always strive to emulate. Dancing may be an art that we pour all of ourselves into, but it is also a profession. Employers have to choose who to hire according to the specific needs of the event and an objective view on which dancer(s) is better suited for the event. We have to remember this and never take these decisions personally.

AAD: Anything else you would like to share with readers of All Around Dance?

Brian: I meant what I said about never being satisfied with only knowing one style of dance. Learning a new style is not only a very enjoyable and rewarding experience, but it also allows you to never again be “ruled by the DJ”. In other words, no matter what kind of song is playing, rumba, salsa, foxtrot, or otherwise, you can always get up and dance!