Meet Paris Cavanagh | Choreographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Paris Cavanagh and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Paris, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
I am very inspired by movies and both the concepts which they explore but also how they do it through story telling. Within dance I think story telling is so important irrespective of style and will always try and focus on this when constructing a piece. Talia Favia is a choreographer who I believes does this and is another source of inspiration for me. Every video of her choreography that I watch I see a story being created and that is what makes it so captivating. I think the way her movement is so story driven yet so true to the sounds and the lyrics of the songs she is creating is so inspiring to me. This meshing of creating a story through movement whilst still staying true to the music is why in my mind, her works are absolute masterpieces and I am so inspired by her. Another iconic choreographer I am inspired by is Parris Goebel and her journey to where she is now. Parris started in New Zealand, creating dance videos that were unique to her own choreographic style. These videos blew up and gained international attention leading her to create for some of the biggest artists and events such as Rihanna’s iconic Super Bowl performance. Parris’s dedication to creating iconic works of dance, carving out her own unique path o where she is now within the industry is highly inspirational. Finally, my last source of inspiration would have to be in the music I listen to. Some songs resonate with my values so deeply that I become inspired to create to that music and represent that song within my choreography. Words that are really able to capture the essence of either what I believe or journeys I have been through inspire me to create a work that shows both me and what the music is trying to convey.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I find my style has a great blend of my strengths growing up as a kid. I started in gymnastics before dance, I did gymnastics from 3 years old til 12 years old. When I went to Brent Street my strongest style was always commercial jazz but I had the strong love for lyrical and contemporary. I believe as I got older and started working on my style I blended all of this together to create my own authentic style of choreography.

Once others started noticing my unique style was evolving I was asked to choreograph a show called ‘ICON’ by The Dream Dance Company, which is run by the amazing Marko Panzic. I believe this was my big break in the Australian Dance Scene. ICON sold out almost immediately all over Australia for our tour and was going viral online.

I learnt so much during the process of ICON. I learnt that you if you put the hard work in you will reap the reward of it. I found myself choreographing 7am to midnight some days, but I had the best team around me and I genuinely could not have done it without them. Find your people and it’ll make the process so incredible.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If I had friends visit town I would tell them to go to Cronulla and get a matcha from Blackwood. Cronulla is such a comforting place for me, I mean who doesn’t want to be by the beach and I always make sure to go there whenever I can. In Summer I love to go for a swim but otherwise I find it just as enjoyable to go for a walk or grab some food at Cronulla. Blackwood is my favourite cafe at Cronulla and whether I am there for a sit down breakfast or a quick takeaway I always make sure to get the matcha. Matcha has become very popular recently and I have never tried a better one than the one I get from Blackwood so I always force my friends to try it.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
When I was 12 years old I moved to a studio in Sydney, Australia called Brent Street Studios. When I moved there I came across a teacher named Lucas Newland, he choreographed majority of my group routines and solos for competitions. I remember everyone would always tell me I danced exactly like him and I LOVED hearing that as I looked up to him so much. Fast forward 15 years and Lucas now owns Brent Street, and I am one of the main teaching faculty there. Lucas still is my biggest mentor and I’m incredibly lucky working by his side everyday. I owe a lot to him and would love to dedicate a shoutout to him.
My choreographic break was in the form of a show called, “Icon” which was a dance show chore by me and was my first major demonstration of my work on stage. This show was offered to me by Marko Panic through the Dream Dance Company and from then, my career as a creative has skyrocketed. I am so grateful that Marko took a chance on me as a young choreographer and had so much trust in me to create a show that would not only reflect who I am but would be a reflection of himself. He has since granted me an uncountable number of opportunites both nationally and internationally and I am so grateful for his initial and constant support and trust so would love to dedicate a shoutout to him.

Website: https://www.pariscav.com

Instagram: @pariscav

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsMNR6O-0TaUJXB1uHlzOzA

Other: TIKTOK: @pariscavdance

Image Credits
credits: MR X PHOTOGRAPHY