Meet Abagail Fritz of Heart Dancer Productions in West LA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Abagail Fritz.

Abagail, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My story in dance and creative production started as a young three years old in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. My Mom and Dad have always appreciated the arts- they each play musical instruments and sing- so they understood the value of my sisters and I having our own creative outlets. So my Mom started me in dance lessons at the age of three, and I fell in love with dance and blossomed in it very quickly.

My sisters and I would continue to nurture our artistic interests as kids by creating living room dance and theatrical productions for our parents. This would later spill over into talent shows, theater/drama, and dance showcases, and later as an adult, would include full-length stage productions, choreography for camera, and various directing and production roles in the arts.

Although dance and performance has always been a part of my life, I also loved percussion and took up drumming around age nine. My passion for percussion is what lead me to West African dance and music. West African dance was introduced to me in the 1990’s through a peer of mine in Colorado who taught it to us in a school dance performance. I immediately felt connected to it, and I continued to follow the connection I felt with it as I moved out of Colorado. I went to Chicago and attended Columbia College for a BA in Cultural Studies, and went to Africa in 2006 for my first time to continue to follow that connection I felt. It was that trip to Ghana in ’06 that solidified my passion to understand more about African music, dance, and culture.

Gratefully, my practice in African dance and my skills in production have taken me around the country and around the world to teach, study, choreograph and perform. I have been fortunate to visit Africa on six separate occasions, including visits to Ivory Coast, Ghana, Guinea, Senegal, and Egypt. My work has also taken me to Aotearoa/New Zealand and Paris, France, and has allowed me to work with international artists from Nigeria, Congo-Brazzaville, Belgium, Senegal, among many others. Traveling and working internationally has greatly impacted my creative process, style, and how I produce work, and so have my teachers, near and far, in Africa and the Diaspora. It’s also opened up my dance practice to other genres of movement, such as house dance, dancehall, and contemporary, among many other styles.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not been a smooth road, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. There has been some adversity and resistance along the way, but it has pushed me to learn a lot not just about the dance, but about the things happening around the art. When there has been an obstacle, there also appears an opportunity for growth and deeper understanding. There has also been a lot of sacrifice over the years, nothing has come easily. But that all has taught me lessons I needed, and I am stronger and more aware now because it. All the obstacles have been a teacher.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Heart Dancer Productions – what should we know?
I provide performing arts and production services, this includes everything from talent to producer. I am a dance teacher, choreographer, and performer, so I love to create! Through my company, Heart Dancer Productions, I also apply my management and production skills towards creating and supporting artistic work or projects that align with my values. I prioritize projects that serve the arts of Africa and the Diaspora, and projects related to culture, integration, or environmental narratives.

I’ve been fortunate to work among many incredible artists and masters from Africa and the Diaspora, so my connections to the continent run deep. I am most proud of my stage performance with the world-renowned musician, Youssou N’Dour at his 2017 concert at Bercy Arena in Paris, France. 30,000 people from around the world attended this performance plus millions of viewers. It was an honor to work with the worlds best world music and African musicians at this event. They invited me as a featured guest artist.

I specialize in Afro Fusion Dance, West African djembe dance, and Senegalese Sabar dance. My recent focus has been on dance and performance art for media and camera. My experience in live performance for stage is also a specialty, as well as teaching dance to all ages, and directing choreography. Soon I am launching my online dance courses, which I look forward to sharing more about once my classes are ready, stay tuned!

In addition to dance and production, I also work with various brands as a brand ambassador, model and influencer, and have been one of the top influencers for Warrior Within Designs, a California made clothing company. Currently, I am expanding my dance experience into fashion, and working with Warrior Within Designs CEO/designer, Jen Patten, to co-create dance wear that is ethically and American-made.

What sets me apart from others is that I share an experience through my creative work that is rooted with integrity in real connections and living cultures.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
There have been so many, but a few include….

My parents and two older sisters: Between us, we work in completely different professions, and yet we are all artists at heart. From business owner, to accountant, lawyer to nurse, they have all filled me with well-rounded advice and perspective in operating a creative business of my own. But most of all, they’ve been my greatest cheerleaders, always encouraging me with unconditional love through thick and thin.

Lauren Casamassima, Rebecca Blue, Jen Patten, Jessica Horschelmann: These are incredible female business leaders who I am fortunate to call my best friends. Their careers in industries completely different than mine has shown me other professional ways of conducting myself in the arts and developing my own business.

Youssou N’Dour: He trusted in my skills and gave me my biggest stage/platform to share my work with an international audience of 30,000 people plus millions of viewers around the world. He did so in a message of unity, which aligns with my personal philosophy.

Maija Garcia. She was my mentor in New York City in 2014. She’s been an influential force since, offering me guidance, encouragement, and perspective on doing cross-cultural work in the arts. She continues to be a huge support in my professional and artistic development.

Wilfried Souly: He has also shared some amazing learning opportunities with choreographers and teachers from Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast. His professional advice and guidance is always positive and supportive.

My many teachers from Africa and the Diaspora.

Pricing:

• I teach dance classes regularly on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, in Los Angeles. $15-20 per class.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.AbagailFritz.com
• Email: heartdancerproductions@gmail.com
• Instagram: @heart.dancer
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heartdancerproductions/
• Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAR-fdBDcLiMHzeYe9Gn6hA?view_as=subscriber

Image Credit:
Rod Em, Sequoia Emmanuelle, Josh Price

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