Zazel-Chavah O’Garra: Dancing Beyond Disability

Dancer Zazel-Chavah O'Garra has leveraged her loss of mobility and radiant optimism to push creative boundaries for dancers of all abilities. A New Yorker with Caribbean roots, her talent as a dancer took her from Broadway to stages across Europe. She graced the cover of Essence magazine twice during her career as a professional model.

However, her journey took a challenging turn when severe fatigue unveiled a benign brain tumor in 2003, leaving her partially paralyzed after surgery. Undeterred, she decided to explore movement within her physical range. In 2014, Zazel founded the ZCO/DANCEPROJECT, an inclusive dance company that celebrates the abilities of all individuals. Her innovative approach has garnered recognition from the Kennedy Center's Very Special Arts Program, underlying her belief that we must expand the boundaries of creative expression.

“I tell the dancers, there are no limits," says Zazel. "If you have mobility issues, just let it come from your heart and your soul.” In this interview, Zazel delves into the evolution of her creative process and her bold ambition to produce a groundbreaking musical for people with disabilities, aiming to challenge societal norms.

Explore

• Website: Zazel-Chavah O'Garra
• Instagram: @zazelchavah
• ZCO/DANCEPROJECT

Connect with Melissa Ceria and watch video clips of the interviews on Instagram @thelossencounters.

To discover more about this interview series and read transcripts, visit thelossencounters.com.

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