Creative Crossover: Mission impossible with Steven Cornwall
SO MANY think that making a creative crossover in the world of dance is mission impossible. Well, meet 28-year-old Steven Cornwall, who defied the odds when dance chose him at age 18.
Dancing was never something he thought he could do. It was mere infatuation watching his best friend Kimberly Hyman in her element. But in 2007 as he idly participated in an International Cricket Council (ICC) opening dance number, Cornwall’s abilities were spotted by lecturer at Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts and artistic director of National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC), Marlon Simms, who instantly motivated the youngster for the arts school.
“I didn’t think it was my ‘thing’. I use to dance dancehall for fun when my friends and I went out, but nothing serious. My mother wanted me to be a lawyer, but when I left high school, Marlon approached me and urged me to come dance by Edna. With Kim being there, I applied and luckily I got it,” he told Flair.
From dancehall to studio
Edna Manley was, of course, a different ball game for the ‘vibes’ dancer. Taking classes in contemporary and ballet was fused with familiar genres like folk and dancehall. Cornwall admitted to feeling somewhat stoic with contemporary and ballet classes, but the love for technical styles was later unveiled when he became actively involved in the dance programme at the Ardenne High School.
“When I started doing contemporary, I realised that it was a style I could actually like. I trained every day, and after being introduced to other genres of dance, I fell in love with it all and never turned back,” he expressed with a grin.
In 2008, with the continued love for dancehall, Cornwall and
Hyman entered Dancing Dynamite, in hopes of mastering their craft. But with their unfortunate elimination at 13th place, Cornwall realised that he had bigger dreams. “I felt bad in the moment, but later saw that losing the competition led me to my destination of being a wellrounded dancer,” he reminisced. Continuing his studies at Edna, Cornwall dedicated most of his days to honing his technique, working alongside other dancers and setting his mind to achieving the seemingly impossible. “I started very late, and sometimes I wish I had started earlier, but I didn’t let that stop me. I worked twice as hard to be better,” he explained. By 2009, Cornwall was scouted by artistic director of the Company Dance Theatre Tony Wilson, and invited to join The Company Dance Theatre. Nerves almost shattered the hopes of this seemingly inexperienced dancer, who was introduced to a whole new world of technique coupled with new, talented people. Surrounded by such amazing dancers could intimidate just about anyone. “But I said to myself, this is a new challenge and I’m ready for it. I went in with the mindset that I want to be a great dancer, so I have to do this,” Cornwall expressed. After eight years of productions and teaching dance classes, Cornwall now holds the post of lead principal male dancer in the Company, and spends his time travelling the world, networking and remaining current and original with his dance styles. Dancing has easily become an avenue for self-expression and balance for Cornwall.