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This is months late. 

One of the best feelings I've felt in a while was realizing I got accepted into the Interior Design program at Mount Royal University. Over 300 applicants, and only 40 seats available, and I was one of those people... 

After what felt like endless months designing a portfolio, worrying about my prerequisites, going in for interviews and completing drawing tests at the school; I lost the faith in myself and figured there was no point in even trying anymore. I felt like I was just wasting my time trying, and I should just give up now before I get my hopes up; to have them crashing down infront of me. I convinced myself to settle on business even though it wasn’t completely what I truly wanted; but I hoped to just get a reasonable job out of it. I had accepted my offer at SAIT for Business Administration, and two months later; i received a letter of a conditional offer to study BA of Interior Design starting Fall 2017. Goes to show- Never lose faith in yourself, you'll surprise yourself at the tremendous amounts of accomplishments you never would've imagined and always try your best in everything. One day, I'll be an uprising interior designer in New York- designing and innovating new hotels and malls. 

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       I’m really excited to introduce my new business cards, that I’ve been working with my sister Ethel Dalida to design and produce. Most of the work actually came from her end, so If you guys were looking into making business cards or anything graphic design related, she’s the perfect gal to contact & she has a whole set up and everything. @Artbyethel 

   From the logos to the information and every articulate detail of these cards, she was on top of everything I wanted. Totally represents what I stand for, from the cup of coffee, with the dancer steaming from the top in one of my iconic moves the scorpion,  to the colour theme of maroon and browns. I was really happy to see these in person, because It’s exactly me.. but just portrayed on a card. Once again, huge thank you to my sister (: 

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                                                               Antoinette’s Cotillion.

Song: I’ll be - Edwin McCain

Debut Date: January.7/2017

Rehearsal Dates: October-December 2016

choreographed: Christabel Dalida

filmed: Sam Cruz 

(Inspiration)      Unknowingly, I had pulled inspiration for this cotillion dance from the waltz scene in ‘A Cinderella Story’ featuring Hilary Duff & Chad Michael Murray, when Austin Ames and Sam finally got the first opportunity to meet with each other.  I remember seeing this movie for the first time when I was 8 years old , watching it over and over again. And thats where it had occurred to me , that I was subconsciously unaware that this cotillion dance wasn’t actually created by a 19 year old with years of experience in dance. But it was actually the 8 year old self in me that had always imagined that moment Ive seen through the tv screen come to life was the one who imagined this dance beyond my years. That is where my inspiration resonated, and I was very honoured to make this come to life for my friend; Antoniette. 

(Choreography)     When I was trying to decide a song to choreograph to, one that I would listen to hours and hours upon;  I had chosen “I’ll be- Edwin McCain”. I wanted to make this dance a mix between traditional but with that modern touch, where anyone in the audience would be able to relate & find relation to the dance itself. Just like the movie, I had added movements and wanted to tell a story like I always do in any of my pieces. Movements such as when Miseal took the first bow at the beginning of the dance to the very end, and taking Antoniette’s hand, just like Austin Ames. To even simple movement where the boy turns around the girl. I had correlated a handful of steps from my contemporary classes in university, when it came to the crossing, to even ballet steps with the triplets. 

(Experience)       I was lucky to be able to work with such amazing people in this process. People that will continue to inspire me years to come with the stories they’ve shared to me, to just being able to get the chance to get to know them and how they made it a real delight and fun time in the journey.   I will remember them as those who tolerated my crankiness on even my worst days where I had been exhausted from work but had come to teach dance anyways. I have danced in a good amount of cotillions, but these people had always an open mind and a great amount of patience, coming to practice and were willing to try, even though somedays I had the craziest of ideas. Working with such a variety of dancers had always been my forte, because it allows the choreographer to explore in different directions and to highlight different people’s strengths. That is where I’ll leave it off, because without these people’s dedication and willingness I wouldn’t be able to pull of this. And I would also like to thank Antoinette for giving me this opportunity to create. 

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                                 Jungle - Drake Solo choreography 

Danced & choreographed by Christabel Dalida. March 2016. University of Calgary. Assistant filmed by Tinashe . 

This dance was totally out of character of myself, but isn’t that the whole point of art and expression? To explore & to uncover elements of your persona that you wouldn’t have dared to introduce to others without specific purpose? If you knew me in reality, I am actually fairy clumsy and I trip over the slightest cracks in the sidewalk; but on the dance floor; it’s different. It is my alternative universe & my get away. You won’t ever find ‘Chrissie’ when i’m dancing, because i’m not there anymore. It’s something else & it’s something we all need . That getaway. where no one else can interrupt us. Because it's just me.

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                                              For The People - Mark Huculak

Choreographed by Christabel Dalida.  preformed by Chris’ Angel’s. Preformed in May 2015. Dedicated to CAWST. Inspired by the Siksika flood .

In 2003, a devastating flood had struck the homes of the Siksika nation in Alberta, affecting nearly 1,0000 people who had lost their homes and sense of peace. CAWST (Centre for affordable water and sanitation technology) had reached out to our arts department, and asked if we could create something to spread awareness among this issue, and the topic about safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene. 

Being the choreographer and one of the directors for this process; I had the opportunity to sit down with a few people affected by the flood and listened diligently to their different stories. It had inspired a new creation I call “ For the People “. I took this into a more interpersonal direction, banding a group of people that usually wouldn’t work together in a dance piece. it concluded of individuals with backgrounds from  contemporary, hip hop, to break dancing. I could talk ages about this piece, it had emerged to become one of my favourites because of its diversity, the inspiration it brings to others, to the meaning and its dedication. I added the sound of water and rain falling to represent salvation. All in all, it’s 1,000 + 1 different stories in one dance form, to all the 1, 000 victim’s stories but also to mine.

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                                      Jealous - Labrinth Solo Choreography

Choreographed & danced by Christabel Dalida. Uploaded Oct.26th 2015. 

There is a special element & power that lies within the hands of dancers as artists. As one; You are fully capable of enabling the emotions & attention of your audience with just your movements using your own personal experiences as a platform. We all come across downfalls in our existence, this was a representation of one of mine. My hope is that somewhere on this earth, a third perspective spectator perhaps, will be able to find a sense of release the same way I did making this. It is just a reminder to continue to reach higher and further.