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An interview with Libby Komaiko, Founder and Artistic Director, Ensemble Español
An interview with Libby Komaiko, Founder and Artistic Director, Ensemble Español
This week, Chicago’s acclaimed Ensemble Español celebrates the 35th AMERICAN SPANISH DANCE & MUSIC FESTIVAL. From June 16 to 26, more than 40 dancers, singers, musicians, and visual artists including guest artists from Spain will be featured in 10 days of performances, classes and exhibits. Debby Storms, for Arte y Vida Chicago, took this memorable occasion to talk to Ensemble Español’s Founder and Artistic Director, Dame Libby Komaiko.
Arte y Vida Chicago
Libby, a 35th Anniversary is a great excuse to take a look back at your history. Take us back to your beginning – to your dance roots. When and why did you become attracted to Spanish dance?
Dame Libby Komaiko
Those roots go far, far back. My attraction began as a child in the 1950s and 60s, when I got to see dance companies from all over the world, including Spain, perform at the Civic Opera House. My parents were both musicians, and music and dance were an integral part of our lives. Roberto Iglesias, Jose Greco – they all came here. I remember thinking Spanish dance was so beautiful! It combines everything.
Arte y Vida Chicago
How did this attraction turn into a career?
Dame Libby
I began my dance studies – ballet and character – at a young age, in Chicago, with Elisa Stigler [a master teacher who had a special interest in Spanish dance forms and castanets], who taught next door to my father’s studio in the Fine Arts Building. Later my family moved to Evanston, and I started jazz with Gus Giordano. And I loved it! Oh, I was Broadway bound!
But something interesting happened. In 1968 – I was just out of high school – José Greco and his company were in town, and Elsie, my teacher, heard that he was looking for American girls to join his American tour. Some of the girls decided to audition for the scholarships, and I went down to the Palmer House, where the auditions were being held, but just to watch.
José noticed me and asked if I were Spanish or Italian and I said no, I’m Jewish! But he persisted and asked if I danced, and asked me why didn’t I audition? I ended up receiving one of the scholarships – one of the biggest thrills of my life.
At the same time, I had received a final callback for “Man of La Mancha” – a hard choice. But I went with José, and so began a grand adventure. I became completely immersed in the life and culture of the company, including learning Spanish. Everything was new, and it was wonderful!
After the tour, I started to receive many invitations to do a little tour here, a concert there, in a number of cities and venues. My career was underway, and there was never any question in my mind about what I loved and wanted.
Arte y Vida Chicago
How did you find your way to Northeastern Illinois University and come to establish the Ensemble Español?
Dame Libby
In the early 70s my mother, Dorothy Komaiko, who was a wonderful pianist, and I collaborated on a one-hour lecture-music-dance program with audience participation. We contacted NEIU and they said yes, please come here and do it for our students. NEIU’s auditorium at that time had 650 seats, and when we arrived, not only was it full, but there were 250 extra people in the room – quite against the fire code! Then, as now, NEIU had a large number of Hispanic students, and that, along with the information that I had worked with Lola Montes, the first American who danced with the great Carmen Amaya, brought them in.
Marge Hobley, who was in charge of the school’s dance program, asked if I would stay as an artist-in-residence, and I accepted. The first piece I created was a dance with shawls set to a Villa-Lobos piece.
In 1976, thanks to the help of the Illinois Arts Council, Lawyers for the Creative Arts and many others, as well as the hands-on training in how to run a dance company that I received from my time with José Greco, the Ensemble was born and officially incorporated.
Arte y Vida Chicago
In honor of this landmark 35th Anniversary year, the “Flamenco Passion” gala performances will showcase a retrospective of Ensemble Español’s works from the very beginnings in 1977 through the present. Three of your most popular choreographies, such as the critically acclaimed “Bolero,” are included. How did you go about choosing which of your may “children” to include in the program?
Dame Libby
We have over 125 works in our repertoire, and yes, it’s hard to choose, because it’s like having a favorite child – how can you? You can’t. You love them all equally.
It was a process over time that began many months ago. Irma (Associate Artistic Director Irma Suarez Ruiz), Jorge (First Dancer Jorge Perez) and I looked at so many factors – the musicality and theatricality of the pieces, what the guest artists would be performing, the readiness of the company for the various pieces, and much more. Basically, the goal – for this year and for any other – is that from the moment the curtain rises, the audience should be in Spain; experience Spain from the Renaissance to the 21st century. That is what we try to convey.
Arte y Vida Chicago
Besides looking back, an anniversary is an opportunity to take a look at the future. What do you see ahead for Ensemble Español and Spanish Dance in general?
Dame Libby
The future for Ensemble Español looks very bright. All of what we do – touring, academic classes, outreach (the core of our mission), the Youth Company – all are very strong. I’ve been getting ready to pass the torch by teaching others in the company how to perform new roles. Jorge, Irma – both are creating choreographies. We recently participated in a documentary about Dance for Life, an organization dedicated to supporting HIV/AIDS education, prevention and care through the power of dance. The documentary is in honor of their 20th anniversary, and it will we be broadcast in August on PBS. In 2013 the company will be returning to China, and there are many other touring and media events scheduled into the future.
I’m not at all pessimistic like those who think ballet is dying or that that national and traditional dance is becoming homogenized into nothingness, though that is a danger. Everything goes in a circle. Just always remember the history, and then create something new based on that history.
It’s all good — the future looks just fine.
The 35th American Spanish Dance and Music Festival begins Thursday, June 16 with a concert of flamenco music and dance and classical guitar at 7:30 p.m. at Northeastern Illinois University’s auditorium, 3701 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. For tickets or more information call the Northeastern Illinois University Concert line at 773.442.4636 or visit www.boxoffice.neiu.edu.
The Festival continues Friday, June 17 through Thursday, June 23, with daytime Spanish Dance seminars and evening Flamenco master dance classes
The Festival culminates in “Flamenco Passion” performances at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie
