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Rooted in Ohio profiles interesting people who have grown up in or lived in Ohio and have gone to make a name for themselves around the country or the globe. If you know of someone worthy of being highlighted, then send an email to Life@coxinc.com and include "Rooted in Ohio idea" in the message subject line.
Paul Busch, former member of Dayton Ballet, will join the prestigious Staatsballett Berlin (Berlin State Ballet), one of the largest ballet companies in Western Europe, this summer.
Having spent the past three years with Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, Busch, a graduate of the Interlochen Arts Academy boarding school who also studied at Julliard, traveled to Berlin three months ago to work with the company for a week. The rehearsals and classes were so refreshing and productive that he immediately felt the company would be a great fit, particularly since it specializes in classical and contemporary ballet. Company choreographer/director Nacho Duato was so impressed he offered Busch a contract ultimately propelling his dream to dance in Europe.
“It’s exciting to move on,” said Busch, 26. “I was able to really see the world because of Aspen Santa Fe. We traveled from Brazil to Russia and all across the United States. It was a great experience. It allowed me to hone my craft and what I wanted to say as an artist. It also opened up a community of dancers I wouldn’t have been a part of otherwise. But it’s very surreal to be joining Staatsballett Berlin. I’ve always looked at my profession as a privilege – not a right. I’m so excited to be a part of this beautiful company and work with Nacho Duato, an incredible, genius choreographer. To be hand-selected by him is not only a huge compliment but a huge responsibility.”
During Busch’s months with Dayton Ballet in the fall of 2011, he appeared in “Jekyll and Hyde,” “Sleepy Hollow” and “The Nutcracker.” He looks back on his time fondly, particularly regarding the experience as “tremendously full circle” having been a part of Dayton Ballet School.
“It was such a fascinating time to be with Dayton Ballet because the company was changing, evolving,” he said. “I made incredible friendships as well. I really didn’t want to leave the company, to leave Dayton, but I also knew I wanted to explore a different path. And now I’m excited to take what I’ve learned over the years and apply it to a grander scale, so I can affect more people in the hope of shifting consciousness to a higher level.”
Adopted from Romania 23 years ago, Busch is grateful to have been raised in Dayton by Calvert and Nancy Busch, his arts-adoring parents who immersed him in numerous activities. He began playing piano at 5 and the violin at 7, continuing his studies with both instruments for nearly 15 years. He particularly participated with such organizations as Dayton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, Kettering Children’s Choir, Rosewood Arts Centre, and Town Hall Theatre.
“The arts scene in Dayton was very beneficial in my development,” Busch said. “It is only because of the diverse arts in Dayton that I was able to experience so many forms of expression from singing to pottery to acting. I’ve come to realize you don’t have to diminish your own light so others can be bright. There is enough space in the universe for everyone to be bright. In the past I feel I tried to hide my talent, intuition and instincts, but I’ve learned to accomplish the task at hand there can be no doubts. You must be truly in the moment. If I would have listened to people who were negative in my life I would have stopped, but I didn’t. You are your own driving force.”
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