thePULSE
By Rachel Shuster
Dance Company Worcester (DCW) is not only a dance company, but a vision that Director Matthew Parello had to bring people of various dance backgrounds and knowledge together to create something new and fresh. This vision certainly makes DCW a “performing company” as Parello describes it, but also a constantly growing asset to Worcester.
Founded in 2007, DCW sets itself apart from other dance schools and companies by encouraging both trained and untrained dancers to audition and express their love for dance. Parello is no stranger to expressing this love: growing up in Worcester, but more so on the dance floor, Parello explains, “I danced at Charlotte Klein Dance Center, competed, won titles, etc.” Knowing dance was his calling, Parello moved onto college in New York where his passion for dance grew. “I auditioned in New York, you know, had my fun, but I knew New York and even Boston weren’t places to bring another dance company, which is why I brought one to Worcester,” Parello says. “I found Worcester to be a great opportunity to showcase the arts.”
“Anyone and everyone can audition for DCW. Auditions are the best part!” Parello says. “We’ve had dancers who range from 10 years of age to 30!” DCW presents shows twice a year and is unique in that they hold auditions for each show, so if you miss an audition, you don’t have to wait long to audition again!
“We have guest judges at the auditions that actually pick the dancers for me. These guest judges are from all around. Some in the past include Clyde Nantais, Executive Director of the Boston Dance Company, Miss Kate from Kate’s Dance Co Plus? in Monson, Ma and DCW’s very own Melanie Desiata,” Parello says. What is also great is that people can come and watch the auditions, which are always open call.
Getting ready for DCW’s fifth show in October, Parello says, “It takes about 6-8 months to prepare for a show.” The shows are comprised of small groups doing dances from all genres and types, showcasing the talent and diversity that Worcester is all about. Parello also explains that each show has a theme. DCW’s most recent show’s theme in February was “Growing Up Through The Years.” “We had about 39 dancers in our last show,” Parello says. “We are really hoping to grow even more to 45-40 dancers.” For their next show in, DCW is all about “Broadway Stars!” Be sure to check it out!
So once the auditions are done, what actually goes into preparing for a show? Parello says, “We rehearse once a week on Sundays for 3-5 hours. Central Mass Academy of Dance has been gracious enough to allow us to call their studio our home for rehearsals. It’s a lot of fun, and a lot of work. The first month we practice 12pm-3pm, then a few months in, 12pm-5pm, then right before showtime, 12pm-8pm. We warm up, do some drills, leaps, tumblers tumble, then we do choreography. Every week we do a different piece for each style of dance. Not everyone has to learn every style of dance, but everyone is encouraged to try!”
DCW also shows the Worcester community love by partnering with other businesses and groups in Worcester including hotspot Bluri and owner John Farnsworth, who serves as DCW’s sponsor.
Dance Company Worcester of course is all about dance, but more so, it’s all about what the company does with it. “Our goal is to bring people together of different backgrounds, ages, sexes, etc. and combine all genres of dance,” Parello says. They also just so happen to put on a kick butt show in the process.
Want more information on Dance Company Worcester?
Contact Matthew Parello at 774-287-1753.
DCW is a horrible joke of a dance company. The shows are disorganized and disappointing. Who puts a half naked girl on the audition flyer when half the people in his company are 12? I mean really… just absolutely no common sense.
DCW is what dance is all about, and that is passion. This company displays a wide range of dance styles and brings out the talents of everyone in the company whether they are a technically trained ballet dancer or heart driven break dancer and learned how to dance outside of the dance room. DCW brings all of those people together through hard work and determination and produces both a creative and unique experience in each of their shows. Mathew Parello has done an amazing job with his company and deserves a much needed props, for showing that dance does not have to be such a strenuous thing, that one can produce a good show with a whole hearted effort. Matt’s passion for dance definitely shows and it is displayed throughout the dancers in his company. To the former dancer of DCW, keep your unwanted and useless comments to yourself because I doubt you have a small fraction of the love for dance that Matt has and can turn that into hard work and an amazing dance company.
DCW is what dance is all about, and that is passion. This company displays a wide range of dance styles and brings out the talents of everyone in the company whether they are a technically trained ballet dancer or heart driven break dancer and learned how to dance outside of the dance room. DCW brings all of those people together through hard work and determination and produces both a creative and unique experience in each of their shows. Mathew Parello has done an amazing job with his company and deserves a much needed props, for showing that dance does not have to be such a strenuous thing, that it can a good show can be put together with a whole hearted effort. Matt’s passion for dance definitely shows and it is displayed throughout the dancers in his company. To the former dancer of DCW, keep your unwanted and useless comments to yourself because I doubt you have a small fraction of the love for dance that Matt has and can turn that into hard work and an amazing dance company.
then why do the shows suck so bad? And all of his choreography is off youtube. That’s not hardworking, and not creative either. He’s just a lost cause. Best of luck to you, since obviously you are dancing with him now. Hope he doesn’t hit on you 2 and get fired from his dance jobs. That’s passion alright, passion in his pants.
Despite being off to a rocky start, Dance Company Worcester remains a great concept. There is no other dance company like it, and certainly not in the Metro-west area. With increased leadership and organization, beginning with the late and loved Melanie Desiata, I think we are about to see a vast improvement in the quality and entertainment value of future shows. Keep up the hard work dancers. Soon enough, it is going to pay off.