Today we’d like to introduce you to Coco Alison.
Hi Coco, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up in Detroit, I observed art my entire life. Being homeschooled, my mother would teach us about art, take us to see shows and museums, and instilled a strong admiration for it in many forms. With a film enthusiastic father and an English teaching mother, critical thinking skills, artistic critique, and appreciation for my city have always been fostered in our household. When dance caught my eye, I applied these views to it.
In 2023, I graduated from Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Science in Dance. This degree opened my eyes to a lot of beauty in dance, but also caused me to face many of the issues dancers meet in the city. This led me to start my Master of Finance with the goal to aid in financial literacy among artists in Detroit.
As a professional dancer, I have worked on many evening length pieces as a performer. These often tackle a the complications of humanity and the outcomes we bring upon ourselves and those around us. I just finished working on a Jessica Rajko piece titled Politics of the Grid. This piece analyzes and critiques the use of artificial intelligence through dance theatre.
In my personal work I am creating dance pieces and films that show the diversity and beauty of life, with all the difficult moments intertwined. These pieces focus on Queer individuals and People of Color.
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?
I’ve had a smoother road than many, and am always appreciative of that. Some of my biggest issues along the way have had to do with ignorance and lack of acceptance in the dance community. I have danced in places that have been homophobic, prejudiced against People of Color, dismissive of mental health struggles, and others whose actions have proved their ignorance allowed these issues to continue. While not something I personally struggle with, I find it crucial to call out the ableism that is rampant in dance. Watching these issues occur and specifically the dancers who must endure them, I quickly learned who I want to dance with and why.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a professional dancer while being a full time dance teacher at Washington Parks Academy (a K-8 school in Redford Township). As a professional dancer I have worked on dance films, evening length dance pieces, as well as a lot of dance theatre. Some of the artists I have worked with in the past include BAIRA MVMNT PHLOSPHY, ArtLabJ, and Dr. RAS Mikey. I currently work with Jessica Rajko on her evening length piece titled Politics of the Grid and am partnering with the artist Marissa Rubaiai on an artistic film with elements of dance.
I specialize in contemporary dance and partner work. With these tools, how I focus on showing this intimacy through film sets the work apart. It offers a unique opportunity for the viewer to experience human connection.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I have had so much support throughout my life, my family has been a huge source of aid. I am first always thankful to my 7 siblings. They helped raise me, support me, and have pushed me to be who I am right now. My parents have always instilled the importance of education to navigate the world as a Black woman, while never demeaning the work I could do and change I could achieve as a dancer. My grandpar
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cocoalison.my.canva.site
- Instagram: coco.alison4
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDYh4k5Xn98JseWXjS1Vs6Q
