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ProfilesEloy and Sarah Barragan, Department of Dance/Youth Ballet
Eloy Barragan, a University of Iowa dance professor, and Sarah Barragan, UI Youth Ballet artistic director, are never far from the UI Department of Dance, as their careers demand all of their time and energy. As mentors, teachers, and choreographers, these two share with their students an education of tendus, grand jetes, and arabesques. Sarah Barragan became artistic director in the spring of 2007, while Eloy has worked at the University since 2005. Both have enjoyed illustrious careers, dancing professionally, teaching aspiring dancers, and choreographing productions for dance companies around the world. The couple recently expanded their family to include a baby boy, Orlando. The changes came quickly, and they had to learn how to balance their home life with their work life, and still find time for Orlando, who is now 11 months old. During the past year, it was not an uncommon sight to see Eloy hard at work with students while holding Orlando in a baby sling attached to his chest. The Barragans spoke with fyi about their secrets to this balancing act and how their lives have changed since Orlando's birth. How has Orlando changed your life? Eloy: I used to hate hearing kids cry and now it doesn’t bother me—instead I just ask if they need help. The first day we saw Orlando, everything became about him and it changed immediately. Every morning I look at him and think, “OK, everything is cool.” It is a blessing. Sarah: When I was nine months’ pregnant, one year ago, they needed a new artistic director for the Youth Ballet program, and I wasn’t thinking job at all, I was thinking baby. So when they asked me it was quite a surprise, but a good one. And now we have cribs and toys in both of our offices. Has the department made it easier for you to balance home life and work life? Eloy: We are extremely lucky that our superiors and our students understand because sometimes in the morning I need to take him to teach. I love being able to bring my baby and introduce him at such a young age to music, movement, and creativity. I am very thankful to the entire dance department—and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences—for their understanding and support to new families. Eloy: I left when I was 16 so my way of seeing life, my teaching, and my work as a choreographer have been influenced by many other cultures. Being here has reminded me of the countryside in Mexico because it’s very safe and we lived in a small village. It’s very safe for Orlando and there are good schools so the transition has been very positive. Is that why you both chose to come to Iowa? Eloy: I was at the University of California–Irvine and the focus of the department started to change, so I decided to look for another place. I found out that Alan Sener, head of the UI dance department, was from the company of Louis Falco, and it brought back great memories. Falco taught when I was in Mexico and that was the first time I saw the modern side of dance and not just ballet. Sarah: I’m originally from Indiana so I understand the Midwest, but Iowa City wasn’t the typical Iowa town—it was perfect. It’s a college town like my undergraduate setting at Indiana University. I’m comfortable here and really glad to be here. Run me through a typical day. Eloy: I teach my first class at 10 a.m. but a lot of times I like to be here at 8:30 to do paperwork. Every semester I teach four or five classes, so they’re long days. Sarah: While he’s at work, I’m at home cooking and cleaning and doing all that home stuff, taking care of baby and taking care of UI Youth Ballet stuff. I start teaching at 5 and I’m not usually done until 8:30. It’s all kind of a blur. We get no sleep! Eloy: When I rehearse in the evening I take Orlando—he loves the movements. So it’s lucky that we can coordinate because I believe that we need to give 100 percent to both dance and to him. Sometimes it’s tough but that’s balance. Sarah: Saturdays start at 10 in the morning and I go until 3:30. That’s a long time for him to be without me so it’s really nice that midway through the day they stop by and I can take care of his needs and then continue giving 100 percent to the dancers. It’s been great, but it’s been a lot! When you aren’t here, which I know is very rare, what do you like to do? If you both hadn’t been dancers and choreographers, what would you have been? Sarah: I never had anything else I ever wanted to do. At age 8 or 9, I saw The Nutcracker and from that moment forward I was leaping all around the house and my parents asked what I wanted to do and I said dance. That was pretty much it! Let’s talk favorites. What is your favorite book? Eloy: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez Eloy: Queen Margo Sarah: Moulin Rouge is probably the one we watch the most, but also The Chorus Food? Eloy: A good steak with a good cabernet sauvignon Sarah: Yeah, we’re pretty much the same on that one. Eloy: I opened the first wine bar in Boise, Idaho, called “Mosaic Gallery Wine Bar” with my business partner, who was another dancer, and the newspapers said we were crazy. They gave us six months but we were open for six years. Favorite TV show? Eloy: House Weekday lunch spot? Eloy: Lunch? We don’t go out for lunch. My coffee is here, my “num-nums” are here and that is lunch. Sarah: We like Graze, if we ever get a chance to go. And last, favorite drink? Sarah: Ending on a good note! Drinks! by Jenna Ely Past Profiles
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