Meet Sasha Serdyukov | Dancer, Choreographer, Filmmaker, Psychology Student

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sasha Serdyukov and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sasha, what do you attribute your success to?
I think the most important factor to my success is the community I’ve built. I would be nothing without the incredible artists I’m surrounded by. I pursued a BFA in Dance Theatre from AMDA College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts, and if AMDA has given me anything, it has been an unwavering network of support – teachers and peers alike. I am so grateful for everyone who entered my orbit there and everyone beyond AMDA as well.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a dancer, choreographer, and filmmaker. I mainly express and tell stories through movement, for both film and stage. I’m still finding my choreographic voice and movement vocabulary, but the general through line in all of my work is that I make people feel true, genuine emotions and connect to their humanity. I’m also focusing on uplifting queer voices and telling those stories, and utilizing artistic voices from all kinds of backgrounds in my work. My debut dance concept film, “Good Luck, Babe!” (on YouTube and Instagram) told a story of a poignant queer experience, and the whole process was a huge testament to the power and beauty of community. I got to where I am professionally through the community that surrounds me. I encourage and am inspired by collaboration – my favorite parts of my work always come from using the voices that are in the space with me when I’m creating. For example, my most recent live stage piece, a duet titled “What does it feel like when you’re dreaming?” was danced and co-choreographed with Erika (Rik) Soto, and it was one of the most creatively fulfilling pieces I’ve ever made. It only turned out as beautifully as it did because of the collaboration between Rik and myself. I guess that is the biggest lesson that I’ve learned – that we as artists and as humans cannot stand on our own. Community makes us stronger, and one of the only ways that we can reach our full potential is through the way we connect with each other. Something I want the world to know about me is that all I want is to make the world a better, kinder, softer place, and I hope that by continuing to be my truest self and uplifting others to be their truest selves, I’ll be able to do just that.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Something I love about LA is just how much there is to do, there’s truly something for everybody! Anytime someone visits me, I always want to show them around my neighborhood and visit the awesome thrift stores on Magnolia Blvd (like the Catnip Coalition and Yes, Baby!) in Burbank. One of my favorite restaurants in LA, and really anywhere, is Saffy’s in East Hollywood – every single time I go, I think it can’t possibly be tastier, and then it always is. Amazing hummus. I don’t go out often, but when I do, I love to pay a visit to Honey’s, one of the only sapphic/lesbian bars in all of LA, and Good Times at Davey Wayne’s, which always has great retro music. Outside of the city, I love visiting the state beaches in Malibu to look at tide pools and collect rocks and shells, and going up to Crestline in the mountains when I’m yearning to spend time with some trees.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Oh my, how am I only supposed to pick one? I would like to shout out my alma mater, AMDA, for the community I’ve gained and the training they gave me. I would like to shout out my incredibly supportive family, without whom I wouldn’t be able to follow my dreams. I would like to shout out the community of artists I’ve built in Los Angeles, through organizations such as MashUp Contemporary Dance Company, through the dance studios of LA, through the queer community in LA, and everyone else I’ve met along the way. I can’t possibly pick just one that has been instrumental in my journey, everyone has played a part in shaping me into the artist and human I am today.

Website: http://www.sashaserdyukov.com

Instagram: @sasha.serdyukov

Youtube: Sasha Serdyukov

Image Credits
Professional photos by Winnie Mu and Idil Meric