Meet Ballet BC dancer Brandon Alley who joins Vancouver’s contemporary ballet company for its new season.
Ballet BC opens its 30th anniversary season with Program I, featuring a world premiere by Belgian-born choreographer Stijn Celis, the Canadian premiere of Solo Echo by Vancouver-based Choreographer Crystal Pite, and the return of the critically acclaimed Twenty Eight Thousand Waves by resident choreographer Cayetano Soto. Program I plays the Queen Elizabeth Theatre November 5-7. Visit https://balletbc.com for tickets and information.
Meet Brandon Alley
A North Carolina native, Brandon Lee Alley began his dance training at the Eastern Randolph High School when he was 14 under the direction of Britt Allen. He later attended the Greensboro Ballet’s year long program on a full scholarship and graduated from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts specializing in contemporary dance in 2012. Brandon has had the pleasure of attending many summer intensives including Ballet Austin, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and LINES Ballet. He has also worked with choreographers such as Victor Quijada, Alejandro Cerrudo, Robyn Mineko Williams and Greg Dolbashian among many others. Brandon began his professional career with Hubbard Street 2 and has been a member of BODYTRAFFIC. He is extremely grateful to be joining the Ballet BC family this year and to be a part of the Vancouver dance community. Brandon would like to thank his wonderful teacher, Britt Allen for supporting him every step of the way and his family and friends for their guidance and love.
20 Questions with Brandon Alley
1. Your first job.
Hubbard Street 2 (dancer).
2. The job you always wanted as a child.
A constructor.
3. Your pet peeve.
Dishonesty.
4. Your hero.
Prince.
5. Your biggest indulgence.
Frozen yogurt.
6. One thing no one knows about you (and you’re willing to share).
I used to freestyle during rap battles when i was in the 5th grade.
7. Three things you would want with you on a deserted island.
Unlimited old-school music, frozen yogurt and the woman of my dreams.
8. The one word your best friend would use to describe you.
Passionate.
9. If you were not a dancer, what would you be doing right now?
In school.
10. Hero or villain.
Hero!
11. Your life’s motto/mantra.
“As you think, So shall you become” – Bruce Lee
12. Your favourite kind of dance (classical or contemporary).
Contemporary.
13. The last movie you watched.
Southpaw.
14. If you were a cartoon character what cartoon character would you be and why?
Popeye! Because I love spinach and he fought endlessly for his love.
15. What will it say on your grave marker?
“Love captured me in a whisper. The reverberation of her voice, broke my walls.”
16. Who would you most like to have dinner with?
My true father.
17. Your idea of happiness.
Giving back to everyone who’s supported me throughout my life.
18. What will you be doing 30 years from now?
Teaching, choreographing and writing poetry in a cabin somewhere with lots of animals!
19. The one thing in your life that makes you most proud.
Becoming a professional dancer.
20. Pirouette or fouette?
Pirouette.