Gabriel Blows His Horn

Patron of Communication. Messenger of God. Bearer of good tidings and helper of all men. The Angel Gabriel, the first local role for Victoria native Clinton Draper, is one of the chief characters in the production of David Earle’s Court of Miracles.

I met Clinton this past summer when he returned to Lynda Raino Dance to teach a modern workshop. I felt compelled to watch him. He was so vibrant and full of hope and I was amazed to later learn that he had only been dancing for a few years. With photos of him on her wall of fame Lynda says: “He left an enthusiastic beginner and returned a beautiful dancer.”

Clinton began his career here at 19. Never having danced before, out of shape and with very little money, he dropped in on a level IV ballet class at the Pacific Dance Centre. Surrounded by classmates half his height or half his age, and following attempts at steps taught true Royal Academy of Dance style, he was told to find another interest. But Clinton was determined.

First exposed to dance while at his sister’s dance recitals he often thought about trying it. It was later, while traveling in Africa, that he developed an interest in African music and, more importantly, how he could feel that music in his body.

He returned to the studio to ask how many classes his meager life’s savings would pay for. The instructor looked at him and to Clinton’s surprise said, “Take as many as you like.”

Now 25, Clinton has been dancing professionally for just over a year. After training with some of Victoria’s “greats” including Lynda Raino and Connie Cooke, he moved to Toronto to study at Ryerson University. In his second year he received a scholarship – earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2005. Now employed as one of six full-time contemporary dancers at TILT Sound + Motion, he not only performs but also teaches modern dance and Pilates.

I recently interviewed Clinton and asked him how he has achieved so much in such a short period of time. “When stuff wasn’t going well I worked harder… if you work hard rewards will come… you will get better or people will acknowledge that work.” He also admitted to screwing up. And he confesses he still has those moments. “I wanted to leave every day my first year at school… I was the worst in the class.”

He winces remembering one of the first times he danced with David Earle. When one of the dancers was injured Clinton took his place with just one hour to rehearse. “It was a remount of one of David’s first big pieces of professional choreography. It was a disaster. I screwed up on stage... it was horrible. It was my first year working professionally. I was so broke... the doubt shook me.”

Contemporary dancers like Clinton face the additional challenge of connecting with the audience. “In modern work the dancer is embodying something so much bigger than (they) are, while tackling big themes that the audience can relate to. Contemporary dance is almost always about the individual… anything goes, making it difficult to convey a universal message.”

Perhaps through his actions and the beauty of his dance, Clinton has shared a message – being good and true is enough. By setting goals and working hard to achieve them, not allowing the skeptics to cause us to question ourselves, and never giving up, we too can achieve great things and inspire others to do the same.