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Former Hanna dancer featured in music video

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It’s been seven years since Sarah Hutton graduated from J.C. Charyk, and in that time she’s danced her way through life, and into a music video.

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After graduation Hutton, who started out with Hanna Dance Association, finished her training at Source Dance Company. Moving on to an improvisation studio EDAM, she decided she wanted to get back to training , taking part in a four-year contemporary dance program called Modus Operandi, which she completed this spring.

“A lot of what I do is for my dancing even if it’s not dancing itself. Writing applications and eventually grant writing is becoming a big part of my time in order to get artist residencies, keep gaining skills, and to acquire funding for my own choreographic projects,” said Hutton on how she spends her day to day life.

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“I also teach dance from anywhere to toddlers to professional dancers. And usually there’s some picking up shifts at the restaurant and doing other part-time work especially while dance jobs are being put on pause right now,” she added.

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Working at restaurants led Hutton to becoming friends with Anna Katarina , who, along with Aline Daigle, performs as Rumour Mill, an indy Canadian band.

“On slow nights we’d often talk about our art and strategize how we could make more time for it,” Hutton recalled.

“It was then Anna said she had a new song and an idea for a music video and she wanted me and my partner Aiden (Cass) to dance in it,” she added.

“She hadn’t even seen me dance which I still find funny,” Hutton said.

Once Rumour Mill got the ball rolling with Pool Service Productions Hutton said she and Aiden began figuring out the choreography for the song.

“(They) totally trusted us with their idea and I have a feeling that kind of freedom and trust is rare,” Hutton mused.

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“When it came time to film the main dance section it was really satisfying to be under pressure and in charge of adjusting the choreography to the set. We had originally choreographed the dance for a larger space so we had to adjust it on the fly. Those kinds of last minute adjustments are always nerve racking, but also make the process exciting and keep you working hard,” she added.

“Knowing what you’re making is more permanent definitely comes with different nerves and pressure. That being said, the magic of film comes with a lot of advantages that you don’t get in the theatre.”

Hutton is no stranger to video projects before however, having done a few music videos and other background work before.

“I definitely aspire to be part of more projects that involve the camera, especially now that online content for art is more relevant than ever,” she said.

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“Right now most of my energy is going towards making connections with contemporary dance choreographers that make work for theatres and touring. Aiden and I are also starting to make our own work that we’d like to perform and tour one day.”

“One ongoing opportunity that has been really important for my artistic development is an apprenticeship with the contemporary dance company Radical System Art directed by Shay Kuebler,” she added.

“Working alongside the dancers, Shay, and the design team has given me huge insight on the work it takes to run a dance company. I’ve been able to experience understudying roles, filling in for performances and tours, and assisting with technical days in the theatre.”

“I had the opportunity to perform one of Shay’s shows “Telemetry” on the Alberta and Saskatchewan leg of the tour. Being able to perform, share a stage with an amazing cast and crew, and also do it near home with family in the audience was incredibly special to me.”

Hutton said that while growing up in Hanna and having less studio and instruction time may be seen as a disadvantage to others in the industry, it helped ensure a career in dancing by fostering “a playful, joyful love of dancing that is incredibly valuable.”

“I had a lot of extremely supportive family, friends, and mentors who always put my learning and curiosity first no matter what,” Hutton said.

“I am unbelievably lucky to have had people around me that let me dream.”

To watch the video  visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdavCDoqbVA.

For more information on the band visit www.rumourmill.band

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