Dancer Rachael McLaren dazzles with Alvin Ailey group

8 February 2012 No Comments

Rachael McLaren. Photo by Andrew Eccles

By Karen Welcome

Highly energetic and stylish, Rachael McLaren is doing more than making moves, she’s leaving her mark. Born in Winnipeg to Jamaican parents, McLaren started taking dance classes when she was 5 years old. She then set out for New York to pursue her dreams at the young age of 16. Upon her arrival, she completed a fellowship with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre and soon returned to Canada as apart of the Mamma Mia cast in Toronto.

After Mamma Mia’s run, McLaren returned to New York, training her to way to becoming one of Alvin Ailey’s principle dancers. Unafraid to speak out against the troubles she’s had as a black ballerina and soon multi-disciplinary dancer, McLaren exclaims, “I’m climbing my way to the top!”

Rachael McLaren and Kirven James Boyd. Photo by Andrew Eccles

Throughout her career McLaren maintains that the obstacles she faced as a dancer in a field with very few black notables allowed for her to expand on her repretoire and her experiences. ” Initially I was thinking ‘I want to be a ballerina,’ but I didn’t see any role models that looked like me…but I absolutely fell in love with modern dance, and I decided I’m going to be a multi-disciplinary dancer. Hardship gave me the opportunity to [be apart of] so many different, wonderful things.”

With an interest in nutrition, McLaren’s boasts being a pesketarian for two years. Ever mindful of her health, she has become fond of yoga as well as zumba. “It’s amazing cardio and it’s about having fun.” She also believes that dancers must take extra care because, “you mold your body into this super human being; capable of doing anything.” As for advice to novice dancers, McLaren advises, “you should just really believe in yourself and if you’re passionate about something, persue that passion and persue it in many different venues. Keep an open mind and definitely stay true to yourself.”