Meet Olivia Gotsch: Learning to Work with Her Body

“With Conflux, because of the range of ages we have, I think that that drives the company culture in a way that’s really positive,” Olivia said. 

Joining Conflux, Olivia said, “I feel like I’ve been challenged without worrying about that sense of competition.” She said it’s not about outperforming anyone. “Standing next to these incredible dancers, I’m like, ‘How did they do that? How can I learn from that.’”

Being a 6-foot dancer brings its own set of obstacles. “It has always been a challenge for me as a dancer, both psychologically, and in terms of looking in the mirror and constantly comparing my body to other people.” Olivia added that many dance companies have strict height limits and won’t hire above them.

The last couple of years have been spent learning how to work with her body rather than against it. Olivia said, “I remember in high school writing about the physics behind why it was so difficult for me to turn. If you do the equations, it’s because I have a wider radius when my leg is in passé,” In ballet classes, she now does her arms the way men traditionally do in saut de chats which works better in her body. “It’s little things like that where I think, ‘Okay, how can I work with this to make it better and easier for myself?”

As a performer and choreographer, Olivia’s goal on stage is to leave the audience feeling like they want to get up and dance themselves. “That is something that drives me as a performer. Maybe somebody doesn’t have the same ability but I can be the vessel for carrying that energy out.”

We can’t wait to celebrate Olivia and the other dancers with a day full of movement and community. The classes will be donation-based and you can reserve your spot online. We look forward to seeing you there!

Meet Kristina Edwards: Professional Mom and Professional Dancer

Kristina Edwards wears many hats. While dancing as an original Conflux company member, she is also a busy mom of two boys, Charlie, age 6, and Harold, age 4, and a dance teacher. 

Kristina’s early professional dance career took her across the country to cities like Pittsburgh, Louisville, Duluth and Chicago. Most of her training was in classical ballet until she lived in Chicago, where she was exposed to contemporary dance. After a move to Washington, D.C. for her husband’s job, Kristina began searching for a community that they could raise kids in that also felt “cool.” A visit to Richmond and the Edwards have been here for seven years.

“What drew me to it was I could tell that Richmond has a very vibrant art scene, and that’s encompassing like food, a variety of cultural events, the art museums are fantastic and our music is also really great,” said Kristina.

As Kristina found her place as a dancer in Richmond, she noticed that finding professional classes was tricky. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, though, “I’m seeing places open up and people offering more community classes in their dance companies,” she said. “I think that’s really exciting, because nobody’s shoving a monopoly on dance or art, so I think there’s room to grow in Richmond.”

When Conflux was founded in 2022, Kristina was eager to jump in. The company’s first show in December of 2022 was Kristina’s first time performing in five years. “The last time I had performed, I was four months pregnant and I didn’t know if I was going to perform again,” she said. “In my heart and mind, I didn’t feel done performing, but also I didn’t know when that opportunity would happen again.”

Professional dance is historically a difficult profession to continue after having children. Many dancers are forced to choose between having a family or continuing to see the stage. Gracefully, Conflux does not see it that way. Artistic Director Miguel Perez views diversity of age and stage as a strength and provides support to dancers needing childcare or a flexible schedule.

Kristina said that without Miguel and the board’s help and understanding, she would likely have to miss out on the unique and valuable experience of learning from guest choreographers. “I think that to have that kind of support is really such a blessing,” she said. “Knowing that my children are welcome and they are loved, and feeling that support is really, really cool.”

While she said there is still room to grow in general in the dance world, Conflux serves as an example of inclusion, acceptance and respect.

Last spring, Kristina choreographed a piece for the company to perform at their June show. “All of the dancers have been so great to work with in Conflux, but getting to create on them was a really special opportunity.” 

“My goal when I’m creating work and dancing is to reach the humanity of whoever’s watching. I hope audiences feel that they can walk in with no dance background, no education on dance and walk away feeling like they have been nurtured in some way, like their soul was fed.”