Life & Work with Lachan Niedbala of Kalamazoo, Michigan

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lachan Niedbala

Hi Lachan , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Every company has a great story that paved the way to its establishment! Movement Reservoir came from my passion for creating meaningful work while fostering an environment for dancers to feel valued where they are in their dance journey while striving to grow in the capacity they desire without judgment. This dance company is intended to create more opportunities for individuals to cultivate their dance careers, explore what their relationship with dance looks like, and pursue their individual goals in their dancing. Movement Reservoir values intentionality, authenticity, collaboration, individual growth, and resilience.

Since 2016, I have been choreographing and working with dancers of all ages and experiences in dance, to provide audiences across the United States with opportunities to experience dance. In 2020, I as well as many others, found myself itching to continue creating dances. Thus, I began working on my first concert, Rooted Movement, which was a 5 part film series that premiered virtually in 2021. Following in 2022, I produced “Perspectives” Dance Concert which was a concert involving guest performers and a piece I choreographed. This concert is what led to the founding of Movement Reservoir Dance Company in 2022 with its inaugural season concert, “Connected Bodies” in 2023. Movement Reservoir intends to continue providing various concerts that have a lasting impact on audiences. We are thrilled for our 3rd Season “The Relationship to…” This season we have many more opportunities to interact with us including our annual concert!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Thankfully, the creation of Movement Reservoir has been quite smooth thus far! Of course, there have been small hiccups here and there, but overall everything has flown naturally and smoothly which just proves to me that this company is meant to be. Now do not mistake smooth roads for being easy roads! Starting a dance company from scratch is no easy feat, but I have loved every moment of it which is why I am inclined to say things have been smooth. We are so thankful to have organizations and individuals within our community supporting us with discounted studio rentals, donations, volunteering time, connecting us with collaborators, and much more. Like most performing arts groups, funding is always a struggle, but that is how we start to get creative in our resources each season! We would not be where we are as a company today without all of the friends, family members, community members, and local businesses that support us!

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a professional dance performer, choreographer, and instructor, originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan, and now residing in Kalamazoo, Michigan. I received my Bachelor of Arts from Hope College in 2019 where I also met my husband (who also dances for Movement Reservoir.) I specialize predominantly in Modern and Contemporary dance, but I also work in Ballet and Jazz, dabbling in Tap, Hip-Hop, Conditioning, Ballroom, Musical Theatre and Yoga. Outside of my dance company, I am also the Co-Founder of West Michigan Dance Festival, a board member of Dance Playhouse (Grand Haven, MI), and I have been running a youth dance company, Wellspring Youth Performing Ensemble, since 2021. I am passionate about supporting other dance companies and dancers so I try to contribute to other organizations as much as I can, both through Movement Reservoir and personally.

Right now I am immensely proud of the growth I have seen at MRDC and how many members of our dance community and beyond we have and still are impacting! It is so fulfilling to make genuine connections with people who attend our classes, performances, and events. This season we have had 2 different collaborations that we were not planning for that I was so thrilled to be involved in! Additionally, as a personal venture, I am working towards a certification in Horton, which is a codified Modern dance technique created by professional dance choreographer and performer Lester Horton in the early 1900’s. I trained in this modern technique throughout college, as well as other techniques, and I have been trying to tap back into the roots of what I love about dance. This certification program has brought me so much joy in my dancing that I cannot wait to share with my community upon my final exam!

I think what sets Movement Reservoir apart from others is that, similar to Hope College where I received my degree, dance is meant for everyone in various capacities. We have company members who are looking to pursue dance in different ways. Some are looking to dance professionally in a big city, some are looking to stay in touch with their love for dance, and others are looking to pursue dance professionally but not necessarily in a big city like New York, Chicago, or L.A. We have company members ranging in age from 19 – 50 and everyone is involved in various intensities. At MRDC, we strive to create a professional and challenging dance environment that fits each individual’s needs and desires for their pursuit of dance.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My advice to anyone just starting out is to remind yourself you had this idea and you are meant to bring it to life. Sure there may be other people doing similar things to you, but no one can do it like you specifically! If you have a passion to follow something, do not give up. There are many many many times in my ventures that I think “Why on earth am I doing this? This is so challenging and at times exhausting.” Then I think about my life without Movement Reservoir and I would miss out on so many things that bring me joy like bringing more dance opportunities to people in my community, meeting others in dance, and supporting other dancers’ goals and dreams for dance.
I wish I had known when I first started just how many resources that are out there to help me bring my vision to life. The internet is a wonderful tool, there are many books out there, affordable business coaches (shout out to the wonderful Kathy King and Audra Allen-Queen), and don’t forget about people closest to you. I have asked for feedback and advice from many friends and colleagues within dance and outside of dance too! To quote one of my business coaches, “Your thriving success is dependent upon embracing your fellow business owners, leaders, and entrepreneurs as your community, not your competition.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://MovementReservoirDanceCompany.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/movement_Reservoir/#
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089849320960