Interview with Xander Parish

What you are currently working on aside from preparing for Iconique?

Back in September, I made my acting debut in a new play called "The Gates of Kyiv" based on the life of the Soviet pianist Maria Yudina. It was my first time speaking on stage and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. This play had its try out period at the Theatre Royal Windsor and now the producers want to transfer the production to the West End. I'm currently waiting for the dates to be fixed, but this is likely to be my next project.

Can you please tell me how long you have been working with the Covent Garden Dance Company?

That's a great question! I've had the pleasure of knowing Matt for quite a long time now and he's become not just someone I love working with but a great friend too. I think I worked with Covent Garden Dance Company for the first time in early 2018 when Matt put on a fabulous show in Dubai.

What is special about the Covent Garden Dance Company - what makes you return for more?!

Well that's easy - in a word, Matt! He's not just a great person to work with, but always gives the artists a good time. Also, he doesn't just create a good show, he brings together a really nice group of people so it's always fun to be involved in his productions. 

Photo credit: Andrej Uspenski

What are you looking forward to most about performing at Iconique for a second time?

To have warmth, sunshine, and the opportunity to dance right next to the beach in March when Europe & the UK are emerging from winter is certainly a plus! Also I'm looking forward to seeing friends I made while there last year.

What will you be performing and with whom?

I will be dancing with the wonderful Lauren Cuthbertson, Principal dancer at the Royal Ballet. We will be dancing two pieces; Moonlight by Florent Melac and the Rose Adagio from Petipa’s Sleeping Beauty.

I will also be dancing with Katya Chebinkaya from the Béjart Ballet. We danced together at Hatch House in 2024 and it will be a real pleasure to dance the iconic Diamonds by George Balanchine again.

Xander & Katya dancing George Balanchine’s Diamonds at Hatch House, 2024

When you’re dancing these works how does it make you feel, what do you hope the audience feels?

One of the best things about performing ballet is dancing to exquisite pieces of music. It was George Balanchine who said, "See the music, hear the dance", and how right he was. It's a wonderful feeling to be on stage wrapped up in the music and the hope is that the audience feels something of that experience too through watching,

Photo credit:Natasha Razina

You will be performing alongside some wonderful artists from all around the world this year, who are you most looking forward to dancing alongside?

I always enjoy seeing Ksenia Ovsyanik and Zdenek Konvalina who I often see and work alongside at Covent Garden Dance productions. I've had the pleasure of dancing several times with Ksenia which is always fun.

Many children will be coming to watch the rehearsal on the 6th March - how important are these opportunities for future generations of dancers?

Some of those children could be the part of the next generation of professional dancers so it is extremely important that they have the opportunity to watch and discover this extraordinary art form at a young age. Even for those who will not go on to be professionals, it will shape their development as they grow and learn so I believe it is very important.

Can you tell us three things people don’t know about you?

I have a great love of photography and especially love using 35mm film. I actually had an exhibition in St Petersburg of backstage photos that I took at the Mariinsky Theatre which was great fun to organise!

I run a website called balletclass.com where my friends and colleagues from around the ballet world teach their own on demand and sometimes live classes. I set it up during the pandemic and it's been a side project ever since from which I've learned many lessons (often difficult ones!) about business and entrepreneurship.

I have a little multipoo dog called Winston. He may be little in size, but he has a big personality so has a big name to match!

A video message from Mickaël Lafon

We cannot wait to welcome back the incredible on-stage and in life partnership of Étoile, Myriam Ould-Braham and Coryphée, Mickaël (Paris Opéra Ballet) to the Covent Garden Dance Company stage.

With only two months to go till Iconique, Bahamas and tickets selling fast, watch their video to discover what this world class couple will be dancing on the 7 & 8 March, 2025 at the Old Fort Bay Club, Nassau.

Interview with Courtney Celeste Spears

Courtney Celeste Spears, of Bahamian descent, is a professional dancer and dance educator with the world renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre and has performed in over 15 countries including France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece, Switzerland, and The Netherlands.

Courtney has performed for two sitting US presidents, for President Barack Obama at the G7 summit in Germany in 2015 and for President Joe Biden & First Lady Dr. Jill Biden at the 2023 Governors Association at The White House.

Her work has been featured in publications such as Vogue, Harper’s BAZAAR, The New York Times, Shondaland, and Vanity Fair and she was a leading figure in The Black Iris Project's "A Mother's Rite" choreographed by artistic director Jeremy McQueen, which was nominated for a New York Emmy.

Ahead of our second Iconique Gala taking place in Nassau, Bahamas, we caught up with award winning, Courtney to discover more about the new and exciting piece she is creating to première on 7 & 8 March 2025.

She shares what impact working with Jazz composer Giveton Gelin has had upon her choreography, to what inspires her most about returning to the stage to dance. We cannot wait to watch Courtney’s Dicky Buckle funded creation in March.

Photo credit: NYC Dance Project

Please tell us what new work you have been creating for Covent Garden Dance Company.

This new work highlights my love of modern dance with jazz music. The full story line is being developed now, but its a solo followed by a duet. It’s set to an original score by Giveton Gelin, Bahamian jazz artist and composer. With costumes designed by Bahamian designer Phylicia Ellis and danced with Bahamian dancer Vernal Adderley.

How did the piece came about?

I was first introduced to Covent Garden Dance, Director, Matt Brady, via word of mouth on the island. In his incredible work with dance, people suggested he connect with me! What’s funny is that Matt thought that when he was coming to meet a “ballet teacher, who’s retired from Alvin Ailey, and lived in New York City for over a decade,” and he was coming to meet an older lady whose dance career was way behind them. As he described it, “in walks, this young beautiful lady,” who he immediately asks “why aren’t you performing?!” I laughed and told him I’d left the stage and was absolutely content in my role as an educator. Well, if you know Matt, you know that his kind spirit and bubbly personality is persuasive and by the end, I was convinced.

What inspired you to create this piece?

I wanted to highlight Bahamian creatives in a way that allows us to show our connection to spirit and soul. This piece was heavily inspired by the music created by Giveton Gelin and I wanted to allow myself the freedom to be inspired by the art around me and go from there.

What has been your favourite moment whilst preparing this piece?

Honestly, rehearsing with Vernal has been such a treat. It’s been so priceless to be in the studio again getting to work. Vernal is an exceptional dancer and an even more exceptional partner! He’s so strong, so caring, and so attentive. Moving like this again has been a gift.

What are you looking forward to most about performing this piece in March 2025?

I’m excited to dance with all that I’ve gained over the last year. I left Alvin Ailey about a year and a half ago and have evolved so much since then. I feel like a different person, having gained so much in my time as a full-time educator. I always believed that who you are as a person and your life experiences directly impact the artist you are on stage. I’m excited to return as who I am now at this season of life.

When you’re dancing this piece how does it make you feel?

Full. Empowered. blessed.

Please tell us about the piece of music you are using.

Giveton Gelin and I came together and I described some imagery to get him started. This piece of music is a beautiful blend of his love of jazz with my understanding of modern dance. It’s absolutely sensational!

How important are charities like the Dicky Buckle Fund for the future of dance?

Funds like these support artists and allow us to do what we love… Create. It’s imperative to the forward momentum of our industry. Their importance of the Dicky Buckle Fund can’t be put into words!

Where will you be taking this piece next?

Hopefully around the world!

You will be performing alongside some wonderful artists from all around the world this year, who are you most looking forward to watching perform?

All of them! Live art is truly life changing and especially to have that here in the Bahamas. It’s so inspiring to watch.

What do you like most about performing in ballet galas such as Iconique?

It allows for so much diversity in what you’re seeing! Going to the theatre to see one ballet company is truly spectacular, but when you get to see multiple dancers from different backgrounds in one setting, it’s a different experience. And it has the ability to bring dance to places that may not always have access!

Can you share three things people don’t know about you?

• I love school and academics. I went to Harvard Business School’s “Crossover Into Business” Programme for professional athletes and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Fordham University with a degree in Dance & Communications.

• I’ve performed for two sitting US presidents, President Barack Obama & President Joe Biden, and had the pleasure of meeting President Joe Biden in the Oval Office after performing at The White House.

• I recently got engaged! My fiancé is incredible and he is the most supportive of my dreams. We’re getting married in 2025.