Tell us a little about yourself

My name is Ruby Josephine Smith and I am primarily a contemporary dancer and choreographer. Being multi-passionate, I also write, travel, cook, teach yoga and run a blog and website about creativity, dance, and food. I am originally from Minneapolis, MN and have now been based in Tangier, Morocco for the past 4 years. I work both in Morocco and internationally, performing, choreographing pieces, and teaching classes and workshops.

How long have you been dancing for?

Both of my parents are artists, and therefore I was lucky enough to be exposed to all different kinds of art forms from a young age. I was interested in dance as soon as I learned to walk, but I started taking regular classes when I was about 9.

What styles of dance do you specialize in?

I have specialized in contemporary dance since the beginning. I love the freedom and possibility for merging with other art forms, especially since I did a lot of theater in parallel with dance when I was younger.

What made you want to start dancing?

I have always been fascinated by how our bodies can be used as artistic mediums and to what extent. Our bodies tell stories, express deeper emotions than we can talk about, and relate to others without words. I've always found that beautiful in of itself.

What has been your greatest accomplishment in your dance career?

My first dance show that I ever choreographed in Morocco may not be my favorite piece in terms of content, but to make a successful piece with 8 Moroccan dancers in a country that at the time was totally foreign to me was a huge accomplishment- especially when I remember that I was only 22 at the time. It got my foot in the door in the international contemporary dance world and gave me the confidence to keep creating and performing work, no matter what the challenges.

What has been your most memorable moment?

The first time I performed a solo I had created in collaboration with a Brazilian dance artist, Natalia Fernandes, and felt so amazingly comfortable on stage. It was a very personal piece, and I just felt so in my skin and connected to the audience during every second of it.

What has been your greatest challenge?

Living in Morocco is amazing, but one of the downfalls is that in Tangier, I am one of the only contemporary dance artists. This means that to train on a daily basis, I do not have any classes or workshops I can attend, so I have to be incredibly self-disciplined which can be hard some days. I definitely have my ups and downs with my own personal training. Several times a year I try to seek out intensives and workshops in Europe so that I can keep learning from others and growing as a dancer.

What advice would you give to other dancers?

Think outside of the box. There is not just one way to become a successful dancer or choreographer. To really make a mark, cultivate your own style and your own voice and then be confident and fearless in bringing it out into the world. 

For more from Ruby

https://www.rubyjosephine.com/

https://www.facebook.com/rubyjosephinedance/

https://www.instagram.com/rubyjozephine/

Want to be featured?

@Shopdanzia #danzia #shopdanzia