29 minute read
DEFINE AND SHINE by CLAUDINE BURGESS
DEFINE AND SHINE Claudine Burgess Credit: Photography by Claudine Burgess
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Life was pretty busy before the Corona Virus came dancing like a flower under our noses, looking after my family, and taking care and building up my photography business.
The Time When the World Changed Forever!
Writing this article is quite therapeutic, and I hope it will inspire you to do the same. It was great to hear the other day that the government lowered restrictions. It is giving us a tiny window to be social and connect with some friends and loved ones again. Although crucial in keeping our distance from each other, whatever the activity we enjoy together out and about.
We all so need after the past months been so isolated, from our one’s healthy life of living, we knew. This crisis has impacted us all. Hearing stories the past months through the technology of friends by zoom or talking from a distance when going out for essentials. Reflecting about six weeks ago, it affected me very mentally going out for my weekly shopping, seeing people’s behaviour was devastating. It was how people were desperate for TOILET PAPER and were panic food buying and left nothing on the shelves for others. It was draining and exhausting forced to change my weekly shop into a daily shop that week and go hunting in place to shop for food. All because of people’s attitude being selfish! It is quite a feeling losing control of what you can’t do and what you can do. Devastating, seeing some of my clients shutting their businesses and knowing of people, friends losing their jobs. It’s heartbreaking! Throughout this challenging destruction forced time out, it has shown many people, what is essential in life. It has created new pathways towards reinventing, discover, learning new skills, and that is positive within the waiting for all restrictions to uplifted for everyone in a very much changed world to come towards some normality in our life’s. For everyone, it will be a very different experience.
I am reflecting over the past few months with being grateful given that time to spend more time with my family, upskilling my photography knowledge, and involvement in a few community projects. I got to do somethings never done before but always wanted to do! Such as; presenting a radio show for my local community radio station “88.9 FM Lofty radio” every Tuesday mornings called - Discover the World Through Music with Claudine. Another passion of mine is music! Wednesday weekly session on zoom, showing people how to take better photos mindfully.
My article “It’s much more than a blanket – Issue eYs Magazine Spring 2019 – it inspired me to join the group and connect and knitting squares to turn into blankets for the homeless. It is so rewarding giving back and helps the most vulnerable people in our community.
Icertainly was delighted to be in lockdown; we still could go out for walks outside where I would enjoy spending time in Nature and taking lots of very different photos of my usual being a creative Commercial Photographer. I very much enjoyed doing so, having time, and space to be creative, which sparked my review of my own business positively. I firmly believe that the world will be very different when we get back and regain our freedom; we have so much missed and how we will live and doing business in the future. What I missed the most and hopefully very soon I can visit them is the zoo’s animals, often my place to go to when I wanted a break from my daily routines.
Take care of you! Claudine
www.defineandshine.com.au Facebook: Claudineburgessphotography
A COSY CORNER by Cosette Awad
Happiness? When It Comes, What Would I Do with It?
The questions we ask ourselves, “When is my turn to be happy?” “Do I deserve what’s happening to me?” “What is happiness anyway?”
Have you ever asked yourself what if we were living in the dark ages instead, and we’re on this scary lockdown, and there is no way to communicate with our loved ones?
Yes, please close your eyes and imagine that. See! “We’re blessed.”
I know you are tired, not physically these days, but mentally, and the word “Breathe” seems like a clichés quote saved in your phone gallery for no specific reason.
Nothing makes sense now, I know, I know. But one day it will, I promise. Happiness is in our little details that smile when we receive a text from someone we love; it’s when we ask the universe for things that matter, and the universe responds. In knowing that the people we love are safe, recovering, or in good health.
Happiness for me is when I put a smile on the face of someone I love; there is nothing more rewarding than seeing that what you did change someone’s mood. It’s when you know that you are making it easier for someone you love who is getting through hard times.
Happiness sometimes is just watching the sunset, is in a cup of coffee in that place you love, a piece of chocolate cake, maybe. A family gathering, a child’s laughter, the blessings we have in our lives that we don’t sometimes know their worth unless we lose them, but It doesn’t have to be that way, you know? Please don’t ruin the joy of the small things you already have, the little things that mean so much, by the dark thoughts of an uncertain tomorrow. Your loved ones are just a phone call away. Pick up the phone and tell them you miss them, tell them you love them. We need to remember that the things we have, some people are praying every night to have them. We need to know that if we search between the details of our days, with every sunrise and every sunset we witnesses, there is a blessing, “We slept and woke up breathing.”
Happiness is when my son answers a supersmart answer on a foolish question and makes me wonder what I’ve done so well in my life to deserve Him. Magz, 35 y/o
What makes me happy is to be able to create from each day a great opportunity to grow even more. Jennifer, 27 y/o When I left my parents’ house, my mother told me that those who can’t find happiness in small everyday things are doomed to misery, and I believe her. Those who live putting off being happy until they graduate, until they marry, until they make more money, seldom experience happiness as it can only be felt in the present moment. The happiness that we wait for is a fleeting state. The happiness
that we DECIDE to think is lasting is always within reach. Layla 27 y/o
Happiness is to come home from work, shower while our beloved one prepares dinner for both of us, and have a glass of wine while talking about our day. Tiya 20 y/o Happiness is undefined. Yet it can be translated as an indescribable state after the struggle towards self-fulfilment and is an infectious feeling we ought to bring to others. David, 25 y/o
Happiness is a beautiful feeling. There is always a reason to smile because, without happiness, you will not complete your day successfully, so start from today to strive for happiness. Edmund, 13 y/o
Happiness is to light yourself to illuminate the path for others! Precisely like a seed, it needs a hand to plant it, take care of it, and finally, the ultimate beauty when happiness is shared. Jihad, 29 y/o
Happiness comes from within, not from material things, not from money or the stuff you own. It’s when someone puts
your happiness before his. Happiness is kindness. I read once, “make happiness a habit.” Nathaly 26 y/o
Happiness is a unicorn. But someone told me once that things will happen and fairytales are just tales waiting to happen. Just believe. The MadShad, 39 y/o
Happiness, for me, is when you realize what you love after facing all the obstacles. I am learning to be happy during the realization process because each stage is a mini victory. Rita 23 y/o
Don’t you ever wait for someone to make you happy because it will bring you disappointment someday? Always work on yourself and believe in yourself so you can create your own beautiful happy mindset, and so you can spread it magically. Yara 22 y/o
It’s in the little things in life. I remember once I was on a hike and I saw a little ladybug. It made me smile in ways I can’t really explain. Ryan 22 y/o
• Happiness is, knowing that the sun will rise in the morning, the stars at night. Smelling the ocean, the wind blows, and hearing the birds singing around trees. happiness is knowing that God made all this for you to make you happy. Roy Rash 26 y/o
For me, happiness can’t be defined by something specific; it depends on what you feel at the moment you’re in, maybe if we put you again in that moment, you won’t feel the same, but it doesn’t mean your feeling wasn’t real when you felt happy. Aya 21 y/o
Photographer: Tino Bechara Instagram: @tinobechara
Website: www.estephanbechara.com/
Models:
Walid Rajjab
Zack Koenig Kassy Tannous Jude Al Badawi
Instagram: @walidrajjab
Instagram: @zack.koenig Instagram: @kassytannous Instagram: @judalbadawi
I’ve never seen photos that speak thousands of languages, like his. Hidden gems are not only “unseen places,” they’re people ready to shine, to send magical sparks of hope to the world. “I can never take photos if I don’t feel a soul inside my models,” Tino said. He falls in love every day with every model he shoots and falls out of love once he’s out of the set. So basically, he’s just a beautiful disaster falling in and out of love just so he can take pictures to take your breath away.
He’s not your cliché photographer, he has an eye for beauty, but he looks well into chaos and creates fascinating pictures. “People look at the sunset itself, I look at its reflection on
the buildings.” He said. Tino struggles with words, but he was gifted with something more significant, the ability to express on visuals and art.
Do you think that anything can stop Tino from moving forward, shining, and giving this world what it really needs “MAGIC.” Nothing, not even being bipolar, and struggling every day with the fact that he’s different, but what he doesn’t know is that every flaw, every scar, and every struggle he’s been through shaped him into this incredible human being he is now. This exceptional boy who started his career and opened his studio at the age of 18 and his mom helped paid the rent and has been the endless support he needed. That boy who held his camera and wandered around to capture the breathtaking photos that you can’t take your eyes off since he was 15. You can tell a lot when you look at Tino’s, he’s a walking poem. When he smiles, talks, and tells you
his stories, all you want is to know more. I think I can write a book about him, but I will stop and let you read what everyone in Tino’s life says about him.
It was the first time and my only time that a photographer got out the real me on camera. It was when Tino did my first photoshoot - Walid The two personalities of Cezar:
When I first met Tino I wanted to slit his throat, but after 6 years of knowing him, I still want to slit his throat. Who would have thought that after 6 years of meeting my mortal enemy I would call him family.
It’s hard to translate what a mother feels about her boy, Tino is our blessing, and I don’t think I will have words to describe how much he means to me. - Nathalie
Tino is not only my brother, he’s my life, and also my best friend; our relationship is the best thing that ever happened to me. If I want to start talking about him, I will never stop. - Joane I’ve known Tino for a very very long time, probably since he was a teenager. He morphed into this incredible human being, and I cannot be any prouder!
Though he might seem the opposite, Tino has an amazingly huge heart and a beautiful soul! He tries to hide behind a tough shell, but people who know him, know how much he cares about those who matter! He’s been through a lot but always came out fighting. Even though we might go long periods without speaking, he knows how much I love
and appreciate him, he knows that I am only a call away, he knows that I will always be there to lecture him out of his (many) bad decisions ha-ha. What an incredible human being. - Sarah
Lead by his own passion with so much love but can be poisonous if messed with. ***Laughing*** He’s a living onion, got too many layers to him. A sensitive, tough person, who wants nothing but affection but would never say it. He loves attention, and he does it by putting smiles into everyone’s face. - Omar
Well, Tino... I could write so much about him. Free-spirited, hungry for life and living in a world of his own, he has always been a hard worker ever since I met him, he was so young yet already carving the path to his future, his passion for photography got him to start his career super early, and I could tell how talented he is even back then. He helped me with all of my projects, and together we made a great team, so I always hope to work with him again. Also, he is super fun on set! - Chelsea he has the purest heart, energetic, kind, always loving, and seeking to help others. - Jack
Tino is a breath of fresh air in this world. He’s always there for you, and this is something rare to find these days. He finds happiness and joy in helping others. All that other than being a talented photographer who loves people and can capture his truth. - Lara
Tino’s one of the few people of whom I would drop anything to help out. It is mainly because he is one of my closest friends, it is also because he is a blast to work with, always
professional but never dull. He is one of the most hardworking people I know, going from working odd jobs in a small town to handling some of Dubai’s most important projects. Working with him is always fun, and being his friend is even better. He is caring and always knows how to have fun. He has been a massive support in both my personal and professional lives, and I am beyond proud of everything he has achieved and am sure that he will continue to do great things throughout the rest of his life. - Stephanie How can I describe a friend I’ve known and loved for more than 20 years now J He is one of the most talented people I know! Soo ambitious works really hard to reach his goals, and you just can’t meet him and forget about him! He is a ball of energy and laughter and kindness and unconditional love!! Being loved by him is a blessing he sacrifices his own happiness for the people he loves, you can count on him anytime and anywhere! I’m sorry I know you just needed one sentence, but he is the kind of person that deserves all the attention that some1 can give him! - Antonella
I met Tino in a really odd situation, honestly! 10 years We were both seeing the same psychologist and saw each other! Since then, we started talking, and we had an instant connection that didn’t make any sense! We connected on many levels. We became each other “go-to person” when we needed to vent. He’s such a great friend that he can change your mood and make your day better. He’s a good listener and put everyone first without thinking about himself! Whenever we had nothing to do, he used to dress me up and take crazy pictures of me and create art! Life obliged us to grow apart. He had to move to Dubai, and I moved to Canada but still with all this distance, and with all the time zone differences our friendship is always the same because that’s the kind of friend he is, he’s more like a family to me! I know I talked more than 2 sentences, but honestly, I can speak about Tino nonstop, he’s a great friend, brother, and such a talented person not to forget his kind soul! - Lourdes Tino is a sweetheart, an artist, a giver, and a great friend. He’s helpful, caring, and very loving. Creative and passionate about everything in life, his thoughts are eye-openers to things I never saw or thought about before. I’m grateful to have him as a friend in my life. - Myriam
Honestly, if I wanted to describe Tino, I would say: he’s a waterfall of love and generosity, he just showers the ones that he holds dear with so much positivity and care: you can’t be around him and not be in a complete state of madness and joy, either by laughing at his sarcastic comments and stories / or by snapping into a dance routine or car karaoke. It honestly amazes me how passionate he is not only about his loved ones but his artwork. - Marya
Tino is a beautiful person inside out with a warm soul and limitless creativity. - Martin Tino is that one person you meet and instantly makes you feel comfortable as if you’ve known each other for years. Heart of gold wants the best for people he loves, always wants to see them succeed, and help them grow. A true gem. - Val
Looking from the side - you’ll think that this is a cheerful guy .... but everything is deeper...
He is sensual, vulnerable ... and the seriousness of his actions doesn’t correspond to his age .... his life experience is visible.
Who is he to me???? He is my best friend - although I think the word friend doesn’t contain the meaning of how I really relate to him, I can talk for hours - about everything and nothing.
I just love him. - Snejana
It’s hard for me to come up with something to say about someone I care about if I’m asked to do so. It’s just won’t come out as genuine. But I just want to say that Tino is one of a kind, amazing human being, I love him so much. He already knows everything. – Ray Tino’s a very compassionate, loving person, and his work truly reflects his ideals and ethics. - Diab
Tino is truly a unique individual who approaches any task with love and passion. He is always cheerful and radiates joy to everyone around him. We are very glad to have Tino as a friend and I know that he will always support us in the hardest of times. – Dasha
Photographer: Tino Bechara
Instagram: @tinobechara
website: www.estephanbechara.com/
Model: Zack Koenig
JOHN KEEN
John Keen (artistic name), also known as Juan Keen from Argentina is an orchestra and choir director, pianist, music educator, ontological coach, and neurolinguistic programming therapist (NLP). He specializes in Brain Integration Technique, scenic panic and oratory fear, among other disciplines. John received and pre-selected of more than fifteen scholarships awarded by different national and international institutions.
During 2005 and 2006, he was awarded a scholarship from (teacher) Bruno Gelber, after being evaluated by Ligia Amadio, teacher director, and Brazilian Symphony Orchestra Director. One of three prestigious in the world. He continued orchestral direction studies with Guillermo Scarabino, in the Buenos Aires Province (events published in the newspaper: La Nación, de Buenos Aires, Río Negro, radio and television media). During the same year, he was a director in the music cathedra to the Instrumental Assemble - Amadeus. Currently, after more than fifteen years of uninterrupted work in various Christian regional communities, training musicians in choirs and instrumental assembles. John
dedicates his work as the president, founder, musical, artistic director, choir and orchestra for the non-profit civil organization director - Amadeus, Solidary and Community Art. At the same, he guides all his professional activity to cultural developing for integration and social inclusion, as well as social values on solidarity bases and community work.
In the year 2016 he created a municipal ordinance project, and in 2017 the province law to the “Solidary Bank of musical instruments”, (both approved and in current validity), in co-participation with the legislative state, business and people, being accepted in unanimity by the Honourable Legislature of Neuquén Province. In November 2018, he was distinguished by the Honourable Deliberative Council of Neuquén Province as a distinguished neighbour, for his contribution in art, culture and education. In December 2018 he was named - Honourable Member - in the United Nations International Art Council.
July 2019, he was distinguished as Peace Ambassador in Argentina - INSPAD Peace and Development Institute (the same centred with the United Nations Organization and the Europe Union). In the same way, he
was named Humanitarian Ambassador by the Global Goodwill Ambassadors - GGA. Subsequently, he was nominated before The Norwegian Nobel Institute to the Nobel Peace Prize 2020. In April 2020 he was noticed by Gandy Peace Foundation Nepal, for the service of social contribution before the COVID-19 pandemic. In the same year, afterwards the creation of a video-production with musicians from Italy and Argentina in favour of peace, he founded the INSPAD, (International Orchestra for Peace) to integrate and include different voluntary artists from different cultures and branches of art.
John Keen: It is my passion for being able to share this noble activity that is to multiply what God lends us. It is a tremendous job to be able to carry out an orchestra school with limited economic resources, which are produced by collecting from those who can help with basic expenses. Mostly I absorb the expenses by myself. But the most precious thing is to be able to build a space that takes more than fifteen years producing musicians of all ages and social classes—people with disabilities that are integrated to provide further scope
for inclusion. My thoughts are that the world needs more power to show the art that emerges in each individual on the planet and be part of an essential change.
In my 32 years as a musician, I was never financially benefited by a concert; everything has been for community benefit... for this reason, from a very young age, eight years old, I’ve worked in the streets and studied piano in secret. Then, music became a part of my life and a tool for share and work resilience. When I founded Amadeus, I felt that it was time to leave a legacy to different areas opened in that institution. Such as healthcare with medical university students, a music school and benefit concerts to collect non-perishable food and collaborate with other NGO’s that worked humanely like us.
Another activity that greatly nourishes the soul is reaching out to each of the beneficiaries after a humanitarian concert, is going to the deprived neighbourhoods and giving them food, clothing or toys on hand. The expression on their faces of “thank you” imprinted on their eyes is a gift for the soul. The biggest challenge is, I think that ̈you have to believe in the future to create the present ̈ and from there, forge new generations living together in peace and harmony. Today I hope to continue with this new project that allows uniting cultures and ethnic groups showing off its art.
I’m not looking to do shows but to be able to bring different cultures art, so together we can know each other and learn from each one, sharing for a world that points at a coexistence between human beings and Mother Earth.
I’m enormously grateful to each organization in favour of peace that accompanies me, and to Jasmina Siderovski, who has been very supportive in sharing my work with everyone.
International Award-Winning Ballet Rising Star AUSTEN McDONALD Interview and Story by JASMINA SIDEROVSKI
Some of the Ballet Great’s like; Rudolf Nureyev, Vaslav Nijinsky, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Roshon Fegan, Benjamin Millepied,
Sergei Vladimirovich, Ivan Vasilev, Steven McRae, Tyler Nelson and more have taken the world by storm as global role models inspiring young and upcoming 21st Century male ballet dancers. In the sublime of all the costumes, scenery, music, stage design and poetry to create a dramatic storyline, originating from aristocratic influence, ballet is a formalised form of dance developed from the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th and 16th Centuries. Ballet spread from Italy to France and founded throughout ballet stages such as the Royal Danish Ballet, Imperial Ballet of the Russian Empire, The Royal Ballet in London, the San Francisco Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, The Australian Ballet, The New York City Ballet, and The National Ballet of Canada etc.
In the 19th century, female ballet dancers were more popular. Ballerinas played male roles in the story. Ballet moved away from the just aristocratic audience. Some famous ballerinas experimented with a new formal element of a ballet called pointe technique. In that way, ballerina got the ideal stage figure. Boxed ballet shoes were developed and stayed as an official part of ballet code. In romantic movement, ballet choreography became free, light, airy, and ballerinas appeared as fragile beings who could be lifted effortlessly, creating the feeling of floating in the air.
In the 20th century, Russian ballet was brought back to Paris because of exile after the Revolution. In Russia, there was a stagnation on the ballet scene. The ideological pressure made socialist pieces. However, there were stunning virtuosity, technical perfection, and strength. In America, the ballet adapted to new media, television and movies. The theme somewhat dramatised than a plot. There was more freethinking than a traditional narrative. Traditional tutu was changed by bias cut to give dancer more freedom of movement. Neo-classical ballet developed a style between classical and contemporary ballet. Ballet returned to a more simplistic style, against overly dramatised form. The large sets and props were removed, allowing the dancers to become the primary artistic medium. Contemporary Ballet mixed elements of classical ballet and modern dance. It is not strictly traditional. It has use pointe technique, as well as floor work and turnin of the legs. A great influence on this genre had Mikhail Baryshnikov, Director of American Ballet Theatre in 1980.
Our up and coming era of male ballet dancers are young men rising at the International Royal Ballet level and some of the most exciting in dance right now is Australia’s very own 16-year-old, Austen McDonald. Austen recently returned as a Finalist on the World Stage at the 2020 48th Annual Prix de Lausanne held in February. The distinguished jury of the Prix de Lausanne, all professionals of the dance world, selected 84 candidates to participate in the annual prestigious ballet competition held in Montreux, Switzerland just recently.
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were chosen for the finals at the Auditorium Stravinsky in Montreux. To attend the Prix de Lausanne is an experience of a lifetime, and those who participate walk away far more enriched than one could ever anticipate. It is a pivotal point for many and experiencing a week of classes and coaching with the world’s best teachers and choreographers, while simultaneously being assessed by jurors, streamed live and exposed to new opportunities, is beyond compare.
Austen McDonald was born In Newport Beach, California on September 29, 2003, to an American mother and Australian father. They moved to Australia in 2004. Austen enjoyed sports and started playing Rugby Union for the local community and school at five years old.
Austen celebrates a long list of achievements and awards, including:
Prix de Lausanne 2020 Finalist
Isobel Anderson Memorial Awards 2nd Overall
Sydney Eisteddfod Scholarship Finalist
Committed to his passion for dancing and expressing his gift in artistic form, Austen is admired by thousands and thousands of teenagers from around the globe. I was fortunate to interview Austen and get a little insight into what it takes to be a performer on the world stage.
When and why did you decide to become a ballet dancer?
I decided at 12 years old to leave rugby to start classical ballet, and I fell in love with it. I chose to do ballet because I was looking for an art form that was physically demanding and required the ability to act and portray a character.
Can you walk us through your journey, mainly finding the motivation to train and commit to an art that requires skill and focus?
I stay motivated by watching and studying professional ballet dancers on stage performing for an audience and enjoying
Gregory Batardon
every moment of it. I stay focused because I would also one day like to be a professional ballet dancer performing on a world-renowned stage for audiences that appreciate the art form and those just introduced where both will gain a deeper knowledge of the ballet, a personal connection, or simply experience joy from watching my performance.
What are the valuable lessons you have learned along the way in the dancing industry?
Some valuable lessons I have learned along the way in my ballet journey is that the ballet world is very tough and to survive such an intense environment you have to mature faster than the people around you because you have to commit to a full-time profession leaving your home as early as 15 years old when your counterparts are experiencing high school and self-discovery. I have also learned that hard work and dedication is the key point to success in the ballet world because although there are people in the world that a born with amazing physical attributes that ballet dancer is required to have, if they lack dedication and the drive to continue to grow they may not travel as far in their career as those who display an unwavering dedication and continued determination to grow in the art.
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The advice that I would give to anyone looking at pursuing ballet as a career is that this art form is extremely challenging mentally and physically, but if you have a passion for the art form it is worth all the hard work.
Puredynamics Photography
What is your five-year plan?
My five-year plan is to move to Zurich, Switzerland in August 2020 as a full-time ballet dancer and international boarder at the Tanz Academy Zurich for the next three years and then to audition for companies around Europe and the world to start my professional career as a ballet dancer.
Who is your inspiration, and why?
My inspiration does not come from just one individual it comes from multiple dancers; this is because each ballet dancer is different, with unique backstories, body shapes, goals in life, and so much more. I am inspired by the journeys of many artists, young and old, in their pursuit of excellence in the art of dance.
What is your favourite pastime when you aren’t dancing/training?
One of my favourite pastimes, when I am not dancing, is drawing. I enjoy this because it is another great way for me to display my emotions through art.
Have your friends been supportive of your chosen art?
I am quite lucky to have very supportive parents, family, and friends when it comes to ballet. Many of my friends follow my performances and my journey through social media.
Rodrigo Buas
Does ballet affect your education at school?
Ballet does not affect my education, although it is not the traditional school experience. Most ballet dancers in training are either homeschooled or do distance education. This is because to advance your physical ability and technique requires rigorous training of at least seven hours per day, six days a week. In my case, I started dancing at the age of 12, so I had a traditional education until the age of 13 when I started full time at the ballet academy. This age was considered extremely late to start, but I was willing to work extremely hard to catch up to those who had been dancing almost all their lives which required many late nights of dance training, technique development and even later nights and weekends of academic study.
What are your end goals? Where do you see yourself ten years from now?
My long-term goal is to become a Ballet Master to continue the preservation of the art by extending the repertoire through educating future generations of ballet dancers.
Instagram: @austen.mcdonald
Congratulations, Austen your success and motivation is an inspiration for dancers everywhere. We look forward to following your journey and success.
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