Meet Dave X

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dave X.

Dave, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I didn’t start training in dance until I was 13 or 14 years old. It was around the age of five that I fell in love with dance and movement. My older sister, Courtney, was a dancer on her high school dance team and I would always come to her performances at her school, I looked forward to these very much. Every time I watched her, I just wanted to jump up from my seat and join!

My older cousin, Bethany Davis, was also a dancer and she had VHS tapes of her recitals and performances. I would go to my aunt’s house just to watch these videos and I would watch them over and over and over again. I was just mesmerized by movement, the stage, all of it! Even though I had this love for dance, I thought I never going to be able to participate in it because of my father and his conservative ways. I knew he wouldn’t be fully supportive of the idea of me dancing and because of this, I didn’t have the courage at the time to ask my parents to put me in dance. I tried so many other hobbies and activities like piano, saxophone, clarinet, even singing but nothing satisfied me. It wasn’t until the 8th-grade year I had this impulse to ask my parents to dance – they said yes. After that, you couldn’t tell me anything! I just went for it! My old piano teacher recommended a studio to train at and that’s where I found Best Dance and Talent Center ran by Judy Best. I trained under Mrs. Best until my senior year of high school.

At age 15, I transferred to Central Visual and Performing arts high school where I was taught by Raymond Parks and Julia Garwood. In the middle of my senior year, I decided to audition for California Institute of the arts to major in dance and by the second semester of senior year, I received my acceptance into the school. Since being at California institute of the arts, I’ve been given a lot of great opportunities like working with Solange (Metatronia’s cube,2018), performed in Paris, France at the Palais Garnier theatre (2018), danced backup for music videos, other commercial opportunities.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Life comes with its challenges. For those who institutionalize their education know the financial burden it can be. Finding ways to pay for school every year was difficult. My mom and I always had to be innovative with finding ways of getting the funds. Applying for multiple scholarships, sending letters to organizations, working in fast food restaurants! Anything I had to do in order to continue my education. Within my first year of school, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was a real shock for my family but with faith, we got through it and she is now cancer free! Along with other traumatic and crazy experiences, I managed to get through and continued using dance as my therapy and outlet. I’m Super blessed for these experiences because they’ve helped me with remaining humble and tested my faith.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
My practice now consumes a lot of movement improvisation, meditation, and my own personal somatic and body practices. While addressing concepts of gender identity, blackness and queerness into my work, I use dance as a medium of therapy.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
So many supporters! So blessed for the support system that I have. First, my mom. My mom is my biggest fan and my best friend in the whole world. Second, my teachers from my high school years: Ms. Judy Best, Raymond Parks, Julia Garwood, Keelan Williams, Ryan Johnson, and Prince Lyons! You all are angels and helped me to become the dancer I am today. Lastly, my CalArts Dance faculty specifically Dimitri Chamblas, Brigette Dunn-Korpela, and my mentor Samuel Wentz. Since my time at California Institute of the Arts, you three have been such an inspiration to me and my current art practice. Thank you for keeping me motivated during these trying times

Contact Info:

• Email: davidmccall@alum.calarts.edu
• Instagram: Heydave__

Image Credit:
Rafael Hernandez

Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.