Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Valeri.
Hi Lisa, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I have always loved to dance and the whole idea of dance. When it felt like a dead end in the ballet world, I temporarily quit and worked in support roles around my hometown ballet company. Once I moved away for college I found myself back in dance class, which led to performing, which led to teaching and brought me back to performance. I moved to Nashville in the 80’s and soon found my way to the small (at the time) dance community here. I eventually became a founding member of a modern dance company and stuck with it long enough to become assistant director.
In 2021 I chartered my own company: di Mossa.
In Italian it translates as the moment of beginning, the spark for change. It was finally time to create my own company with my own vision after so many years of following someone else’s lead The role of artistic director and choreographer continues to be the best move for me. I have many years of experience and deep connections in the community that can be a resource for my passion and creativity. I am also dedicated to supporting the dance artists that find their way to me. di Mossa is always working to create training and performances for them and our audience. We are very grateful for the space and support of Metro Parks, Belmont University Dance and all our many collaborators, donors and friends that make our work possible and alive.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As in any endeavor, but especially in dance because you are dealing with the whole human, there are struggles of conflict between personalities and vision. Twice in my career, before di Mossa, everything I had been counting on was taken away. I recovered only because dance is my passion. I found a way to keep going and trusted that the universe would continue to meet me.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am the artistic director of a professional contemporary dance company based in Nashville, TN. I fill multiple roles including teacher, choreographer, rehearsal director, administrator, producer, fundraiser and occasionally performer.
I am most proud of my choreography and the process I have developed which closely involves the dancers that are present at the time. Most of our performances are as invited guests in a larger production or festival. A highlight of my career was producing my first full length program in a theater setting. I did everything from choreography to marketing to costumes. Two years later we created another program on a different theme and we have produced three in-studio programs. I think what sets me apart is my attention to detail and the focus on the experience for the audience. The programs are not just a series of dances. They are multi disciplinary events built around a theme where even the audience has moments to actively participate. In many instances we have guest artists that bring their own choreography, live music, photography, visual art or poetry. I am also very proud to say that I pay all my dancers for rehearsal time and performance as well as a stipend for all guest artists and tech support.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Throughout my life, dance has always been essential. It’s the ultimate combination of the visual and the aural, of flesh and expression. And because dance is ultimately made of human material, how can it not teach us endless lessons? Lessons of life, relationship, and self. There is nothing like that moment of alignment between the simplest of movements and the deepest of meanings. It is a moment of joy.
Dance is an art form through which we express ourselves, process our human experience and move in this world at this time. di Mossa will endeavor to share with collaborators and audiences the work of beginning over and over again to understand ourselves and each other.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dimossa.org
- Instagram: @di_mossa
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dimossa.dance
