Published: November 08, 2009 12:05 am      

Performer moves from Peace Corps to West Virginia Dance Company

Lorenzo Buchanan, 24, comes to the West Virginia Dance Company directly from the Peace Corps.

Originally from Tucson, Ariz., Buchanan moved to the small Central Asian republic of Kyrgyzstan in July 2007 to volunteer.

“I trained English teachers and worked with youth leaders in my community,” Buchanan said. “As a secondary project, I also taught dance at my school.”

Buchanan said the experience actually complemented his lifestyle as a dancer.

“I learned quite a bit about myself during those two years,” he said. “Being removed from the arts made me realize how precious it truly is and how lucky I am to be a part of it.

“I was inspired while I was away, as I was exposed to new styles of dance I’d never seen before. I also had the chance to cooperate with new leaders and teach them things as well. That collaboration was very special to me.”

The dancer says he is grateful he was able to stay for two years.

“I didn’t expect to make it the full term,” he explained. “A lot of people leave, but my heart was definitely there. It was a little traumatizing to come back here at first, but I have very fond memories and friends there, and I hope to go back sometime in the future.”

Buchanan returned in August after getting in touch with college friend and fellow WVDC dancer, Rachel Oliver.

“Rachel e-mailed me about how she was dancing in West Virginia,” Buchanan said, “and I ended up getting in touch with WVDC co-directors Donald Laney and Toneta Akers-Toler.”

Laney and Akers-Toler were able to watch videos of Buchanan dancing from college concerts, where he and Oliver danced together at Beloit College in Wisconsin.

“They actually hired me from overseas,” he continued, “which was very generous and wonderful of them to do. That’s how I ended up moving here to West Virginia.”

In his first season with the WVDC, Buchanan says he will be sticking around for awhile.

“Right now, I’m content,” he said. “I’m just dancing, getting my feet on the floor, turning, jumping and getting back in the groove, so to speak.”

Buchanan will perform with the rest of the West Virginia Dance Company in its annual fall concert at 3 p.m. today at the Woodrow Wilson High School auditorium. For additional information, visit the company’s Web site at www.wvdanceco.com.

— E-mail: cclark@register-herald.com