Performing Artist Spotlight: Renee Fleischer
By Denton Turner
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS – Renee Fleischer is the owner of Elevation Dance Studio and has been involved in dance for over 40 years.
What is your favorite thing about dance?
There are so many things to love about dance. I often say it’s my first true love. I think for me it has evolved from performing to now teaching and teaching students everything I know and have learned. But I still do love to perform and performing is a huge part of the art of dance.
How have you adapted to keep performing?
In the spring of 2020, Elevation Dance Studio presented a Red Carpet Experience designed to make every child feel special and valued. The experience began with entry into the studio where one dancer at a time arrived in recital costume, walked through a balloon arch greeted by Elevation faculty, with music playing, and dazzled by professional lighting. From there, the dancer and their family were escorted into the first studio where they “walked the red carpet”and took photos in front of our custom step and repeat banner. Dancers would then enter the second studio, where there was a black pipe and drape backdrop and professional DJ lighting so each dancer could perform their routines solo for their families. Our teen dancers were live-streamed via Facebook and Instagram. We also put on a studio-wide virtual performance via Zoom in the spring, where families and friends could watch virtually from their homes. Every routine was put together on a digital platform and live-streamed once again in July. This was under the guidance of Routt County Public Health and carefully constructed with cleaning guidelines, masks and social distancing.
How has COVID-19 impacted your income?
COVID-19 has had a tremendous impact on the business revenue. Not only have we had to restrict capacity on each class, we have also not been able to hold a live show in 2020 when we normally have two shows running each year, each show having three to four showings with sold out audiences of over 500 patrons. Thankfully, our second location sold in the summer of 2020 which has helped.
How has COVID-19 and social distancing affected your ability to practice or rehearse?
Since March 2020, the studio pivoted all class content to be available via Zoom or a recording via Zoom. The constant change in capacity restrictions mandated by both the county and the state has not made it easy and we have also had to make other adjustments such as no physical corrections, partnering, etc.
How has your creative approach to dance changed during COVID?
I believe there have been some silver linings in the creative and educational process during COVID. Many amazing choreographers and instructors who we would not normally have access to are live-streaming classes over many different and affordable platforms. One example is the studio became a member of CLI Studios; that partnership has given both our members and our faculty free access to amazing content online.
What kind of impact do you feel COVID-19 has had on the dance industry as a whole?
I think overall COVID-19 has had a negative impact when you consider that live performances and the artists, technical and crew members who count on live shows for revenue have likely been financially strained. But there have been some silver linings as well. For example, Elevation Dance Studio will likely always have a virtual streaming version of our shows now, and we will always have the ability for virtual options for students to take dance at Elevation.
What do you miss most about performing before COVID-19?
I miss seeing my dancers smile every day, even though I know that’s happening. I miss hugging my dancers after class. I miss seeing families laugh, smile and congregate in the studio lobby. I miss live performances and seeing the faces of emotional parents after seeing their children on stage. I miss going to watch performances. I miss being able to accommodate more dancers who want to dance because we don’t have room in classes due to social distancing requirements.
How do you perceive the dance industry changing moving forward?
This year we have to do smaller performances based on capacity restrictions due to COVID. But I hope that’s not the new normal and I believe the performing arts industry will get back to holding performances as we have all been accustomed to. We will continue to pivot and innovate as necessary because having dance for particularly kids is so important for physical and mental health. It’s not about just not getting sick, but providing an outlet in a safer environment to take a class and have that social interaction and learn real life lessons.
Are there any positive outcomes of COVID-19 that you did not foresee?
The ability to be able to reach a larger audience with technology has been a positive outcome of the pandemic which I believe was coming anyway – just happened a lot faster.