Cello dance mob breaking down barriers to the arts

Cellists and dancers could soon be joining together in dance mobs around the world.

That's the vision of Alexandra Lee, a cellist from Sudbury, Ont., and the artistic director of Cello Steps. The project combines choreographed dance moves with live cello music that can be performed in dance mobs or formal recitals.

A performance of Cello Steps will be held in Sudbury's Memorial Park this Saturday, as part of the Up Here music and urban art festival.

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Lee says she was inspired by musicians like Yo-Yo Mawho collaborated with street dancer Lil Buck on a ballet-inspired performanceto create her own fusion of cello and dance.

"There have been a few cellists that have done amazing projects with cello and dance," she said. "I'd love to say that I thought up the combination first, but I totally didn't."

'This is created for anybody'

Lee reached out to Lauren Foy, a modern dancer from Sudbury, to choreograph the movement for the project. Lee wanted to create a fluid and graceful dance that would be accessible for people of all skills and abilities.

"These dance moves are not created for dancers who've already been doing this for years," she said. "This is created for anybody."

Lee also chose the music for the dance"Prelude" from Johann Sebastian Bach's Cello Suite No. 1because musicians and non-musicians alike will recognize it.

"You don't have to know all those names to know this music; everyone has heard this piece before."

Lee said she doesn't think there should be boundaries between individuals and the arts, and she wants Cello Steps to reflect this philosophy.

"The arts are supposed to nourish us as humans, to be able to either express ourselves or understand each other," she said. "It's not something that is only for professionals, or only for people who have done it for years."

The Cello Steps performance and dance mob will take place this Saturday at 3:30 p.m., in Memorial Park. There will also be a practice session in the park on Saturday morning, at 11 a.m.

More information about the performance, as well as video tutorials to help you learn the choreography, are available on the Cello Steps website.