SPOTLIGHT | 2020 | July
JUSTINE CAPRIA MORRILL
Assistant Director / Contemporary, Jazz
What’s a fun fact about yourself?
I love to sing and study all the accents in a song! I also love to binge watch all ballet tv shows, documentaries, and movies... and America’s Next Top Model!
Can you share a memory of Michael?
Way too many! Never will forget getting ready for our first ever performance for his company Xhale and our motivational circle speech, sweating and nervous, but so excited! The Way You Make Me Feel, They Weren’t There ( I did a toe touch), You Can’t Stop the Beat, I Wanna Dance with Somebody, a solo that he made me do a right and a left tilt ( I don’t do tilts), chocolate pudding.
Why/when did you start dancing? And why are you still dancing?
I started when I was 2. I told the teacher I did not like her and refused to go into the class (she also owned the studio). My parents told me I could go to Toys R Us if I went on stage and performed my hula baby dance. I was sold and even blew some kisses while on stage! I was hooked ever since and I knew I could never live without dance in my life!
Do you have any advice for young dancers today?
Be a leader, try not to get comfortable, try every style of dance, and take a singing lesson and an acting class. Watch dance movies and listen to all types of music! Stand in the front, stand in the back, observe and cheer on your peers and classmates! Don’t feel shy or embarrassed to stand out and go full out, others will want to follow in your footsteps and the energy will be contagious! Respect yourself, your teachers, your peers and know how special you are and how lucky we are to have dance in our lives! If you have a passion for something be completely invested, go with it and see where the magic takes you!
Where do you find inspiration?
My students! My colleagues! My family! Music!
Who is your favorite dancer, company, or choreographer?
Bob Fosse, Gwen Verdon, Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, and Ann Reinking.
What are you most looking forward to this year at SDC?
An exciting start to our journey with a new dance family, all sharing the same love and passion with one another! Training for improvement, growth, and magical moments on and off the stage.
Visit the website to learn more about Justine and the rest of the SDC faculty!