Back to Class

After a failed attempt at creating a weekend workshop, my partner in Fearless Young Artists Studios said, “ LaQuet, you need to go back to class and show people what Fearless Young Artists Studios and your methodology is all about. The people need to see you in practice.”

I’m wise enough to know good advice when I hear it and sought out classes to take—starting with a 60-minute barre/dance cardio with KKSweat. I could handle a shorter duration and I wanted to push myself a little more. A few days later, I stepped up my confidence to a 90 minute Beginner Jazz class with IngaMarie Gerson, who would refer me to sub some of her classes at STEPS on Broadway. Keep in mind that I've been trying very hard to get a class at STEPS for a year! That class was a sign that there was more in my tank and reassured my drive to persevere onward to apply my methodology in various classes. With every advancement of time spent in the studio, I got to meet the part of myself that started dancing, singing, and acting in the first place. The one who took class because it was fun to pursue the freedom of expression!

Then, I started embracing my mantra, “I’m being Bold, I'm being Brave, I’m being Fearless!” Which led me to an Adv Contemporary class with Brandon Coleman. I took his class twice before working with him in a choreography workshop that cemented, inspired, and empowered my process as a choreographer, director, and artist. Brandon’s work explores lots of weight shifts. So too does the range of my instrument. After his classes, I could not stop my hand from writing. Ideas sprang into my head daily of movement phrases, I started to hum and sing again. Most impactfully I began to find the wings in my second Choreopoem, “Together Marching”.

Finally the journey back to class led to a four hour workshop held for four weeks. The choreographic incubator, Centrifuge, led by the remarkable Omri Drumlevich who brought in guest choreographers to inspire the “makers” (choreographers) to create phrases inspired from improvisation prompts, places in our studios, curiosities, and group reflections. Two hours into our work, Omri invited dancers into the studio space to explore our phrase work outside of ourselves. We had limited time and space, but always challenged with exploring how best to get our work onto the dancers. I had experienced that level of encouragement and positive push in a workshop in years. Adding to the magical magnitude of this workshop was taking it with my dear friend and partner in FYA Studios, Alexis Borth. She and I’s shorthand of communication became more grounded and solidified because of this workshop. More than ever, I want to create movement for her and on dancers like her.

What these classes offered and provided has been a refreshing splash of curiosity and confidence in knowing what tool to use and when with ease, flow, and connectivity. Something that I previously lacked when I was taking class more frequently. Back when I was on the road to burnout. Then burnt out.

This past month, however, became a mellifluous practice of play and exploration for my instrument. A place to experiment. Where as previously, it was a place to “catch up,” “network/be seen,” or “get snatched.” I had not experienced the privilege of exercising my instrument simply because I could and Should! The momentum of being back in class has led to making new friends organically. I am now getting my foot in the door to teach at professional dance studios in NYC. But most importantly, it’s been a place to play and become conscious of the process within my work.

I’m learning how necessary practice is to remain in the ease of my instruments’ tools, the flow of an ever-changing artistic field, and the connectivity felt among artists seeking to find the higher ground of themselves in community with others.

The lessons learned in the past month have everything to do with being present and patient with where I am.

Harlem Grown and Bred

In January 2024, FYA Studios was awarded a $5,000 grant through the Mellon Foundation and Harlem Grown. When I received the news, I was beside myself. It felt outstanding for a program I created, Fearless Community Classes, to be seen and respected even to invest in it. 

On Monday, August 26, 2024, with the help of my friends and partners ( Bessie Fong, Alexis Borth, Cassidy Kaye, and my wife Lauren Pringle), the first FYA Studios Community Class launched in the Richard Rodgers Amphitheater in Marcus Garvey Park. The class filled the hearts of frequent parkgoers, a parent and their child, and a few performing artists. 

The four hours spent in the park gifted me with so much peace that I felt I was floating for the next several days after we concluded. To folks within my community, gaining the benefits of somatic and holistic approaches for performing artists illuminated the need to access these tools for all black and brown bodies. We are the communities that need it most, and yet, in the heart of Harlem, without the financial means, children, adults, artists, healers, and residents reach a drought in the ways to express and uplift one’s self. 

It is not enough to tell a young person to do well in school when there is no creativity in the approaches to teaching. It is not just to tell a person to “suck it up” or “just get by” all so we can endure the pains of not only ourselves but our neighbor. 

The community class is a way for people like myself, who have seen and felt the benefits enough to pass on the value to those who have not had access to the privileges I have. Community class is a way to level the playing field, even for only a few hours. Community class is a tactile way to humble ourselves and connect with those we never would have. Community class shows us that we are only as strong as the person standing next to us, and it serves us all to help one another be strong(er) 

It is my goal in 2025 to establish my Fearless Community Classes as a 501c3 so that anyone who seeks a respite from the daily struggle of surviving in a world that does not make it easier for us to find success can feel, see and exhale the fearless power of oneself.  

I Should Go. But You Should Stay

✨ WORK IN PROGRESS ✨ with these Phenomenal Artists! Alexis Borth is performing a solo I choreographed, and Jake Goodman is accompanying himself on the cover of ‘ I Should Go’ by Levi Kreis.

Their presence and artistry humble me, and I am thankful for the opportunity to create. I am proud to share this work in progress with you all. Be on the lookout for the final piece in the coming weeks. 

This project came together when I discovered that Jake is a fantastic pianist and vocalist. I knew I had to work with him when I heard him play. Having had the opportunity to direct him as Edward in Big Fish, I knew there was nothing he couldn’t sing. So, I set off to find the perfect song to create.
On a walk one morning, my music shuffled Levi Kreis’s song. The first chord brought back so many joy-filled memories of dancing with my friends back in the day. Hearing the song immediately made me think of Alexis, one of the most phenomenal dancers I’ve ever worked with. Our trust and chemistry take flight when she and I are in the studio.

I’m excited to begin fundraising to complete this project and submit it to short film festivals. If you’re interested in contributing to the project, please email us at fearlessinfo@fyastudio.com or laquetsharnellpringle@gmail.com

Freedom of Expression, Is Our Business

I wrote a speech for Dancers for Harris, and one of the campaign leaders reached out to me to recreate my speech into something for social media promo/call to action heading into Election Day. It took me an hour to shape my six-minute speech into a 3-minute poem. From there, the team and I found one substantial minute to create our social media video throughout three rehearsals.
Sarah, our Fearless Director, Marissa Palley, and I made magic in the studio the following rehearsal. It took Sarah one hour to choreograph and teach the outstanding choreography for our film. I must admit, I was in shock I was able to do her intricate and detailed movement. She pushed me as a dancer, and I’m grateful for the push.

So, Freedom of Expression was born!

No matter the result of the presidential election, this piece still rings true to the words I created. Kamala Harris is the best person for our President, and as an artist, it is within my freedom to support her, as her work has supported people like myself. There is no time to lie down and give up. If anything, the fight for all to express themselves is more alive than ever.

Thank you to Dancers For Harris for bringing myself and Sarah Parker together. Sarah's choreography is a blast to dance.

The Idea Ignites

It has been a long time since I dived into sharing my writing, especially writing that is an extension of my artistic voice. Having dipped my toe into creating a blog some years ago, I’m taking more responsibility as a creative entrepreneur to share the how’s, why’s, and when of the work.

Every month, I will post works in progress, stories behind my work, upcoming workshops, and other happenings. This blog answers the questions, reflections, and discoveries I have within my work.

I’d love for you to follow the journey,

Fearless Perspectives The Blog