Senior Spotlight: Javid Aceil

Javid Aceil has spent most of his free time in college playing ultimate Frisbee, but ever since joining the Prelude family last fall, he has jumped right into the dance world without hesitation. From learning how to point his toes to learning how to lift, Javid has embraced every challenge while always keeping a smile on his face. The enthusiastic energy he consistently brings to every rehearsal is always contagious. It’s not uncommon to hear him say at the end of a long and tiring rehearsal, “This was the best part of my day!” giving everyone else a positive boost when we most need it. Find out why Prelude gets him so excited!

Prelude Dance Ensemble: How did you first hear about Prelude and what motivated you to audition?

Javid Aceil: I was randomly walking home and a bunch of girls were shouting at me about their bake sale. So I turned around and gave them a dollar and that is how I found out about Prelude. I decided to audition because I had some extra time and my friend and I had really wanted to try and take a dance class for a while.

Working a Bake Sale a semester after finding us!

PDE: What was your dance experience like before joining Prelude?

JA: Bumpin and grindin (haha)

PDE: Your main extra-curricular at UGA has been ultimate-Frisbee. What made you want to try something as different as dance?

JA: I really just had free time since it was my 5th year in college. But over the course of my frisbee career at UGA, I’ve accumulated a reputation/status among all those guys and it was very intriguing to wipe my social slate with a bunch of new friends. I’ve always had fun dancing or singing to myself so I definitely had been wanting to give more of an effort to dancing.

PDE: Have there been unexpected similarities between the two?

JA: There are definitely similarities I’ve learned by trying to juggle both hobbies. Athletically, dancing requires one to always point their toes or be jumping or standing on your toes. These movements are extremely similar to the plyometric exercises we do to train for explosiveness in frisbee. Mentally, Prelude has helped me maintain a more positive attitude with my friends and teammates which has created a much more enjoyable atmosphere for me as a player and a leader.

PDE: What surprised you most about Prelude after joining?

JA: The most surprising thing for me was the trust everyone had in each other. A lot of the dance moves are pretty difficult and it was awesome to have the choreographers have faith and patience that the newer members would be able to learn and properly execute those moves in time for the show.

Rehearsing with the company for his first show, "Mirror Mirror," Fall 2013

PDE: What’s your proudest accomplishment in Prelude?

JA: I think just making it into the ensemble. It was a little intimidating to be thrown into choreography on tryout day, surrounded by so many great dancers with years of training. I was shouting about it to my roommates when I got the acceptance email.

PDE: What’re your top 3 favorite dances you’ve performed with Prelude?

JA: “Stay,” “We Don’t Eat,” and “Kaay Fecc” (African).

PDE: What’re your top 3 favorite Prelude dances (that you haven’t necessarily been in)?

JA: “Toxic,” “Epilogue,” and “Dancing in the Dark.” [Note: Javid wins Prelude MVP for having done his homework…”Toxic” is a duet from Fall 2011, four semesters before he even joined us.]

Performing "We Don't Eat," Fall 2013

PDE: What are some of your favorite Prelude memories?

JA: My favorite Prelude memory so far was going to Steak & Shake after we had finished our show day. Seeing everyone finally be relieved and stress-free after all their hard work and just enjoying each other’s company was really awesome. I think my cheeks hurt after all the laughter and smiles. One of my more common favorite moments is during any practice where there is a pause in between choreography instruction. Usually someone will goof around and do some other dance moves that I always try to copy and that’s a ton of fun for me.

PDE: How do you feel about this being your last Prelude show?

JA: I’m not really good at goodbyes or anything so I don’t think I’ll be upset when it’s over. There’s so much love from everyone and giving hugs and smiles after the show is going to be an amazing atmosphere to be a part of for me and be happy even though there will be tears.

PDE: Why should boys join Prelude?

Practicing a lift for "Stay"

JA: Because dance is for everyone. It’s a great activity and you get to meet a lot of cool new people to share experiences. Specifically, Prelude has like an 11:1 girl to guy ratio and contemporary dances can always use guys for lifts or jumps. Prelude has sufficiently put a smile on my week for the whole semester and I don’t really see why anyone wouldn’t want that.

PDE: What do you think Prelude contributes to UGA as a whole?

JA: Prelude is just a great outlet for any UGA student. Having a separate circle of friends that are all there for a common goal that has nothing to do with school is amazing. Every time I come to Prelude it changes my day or my week; I always leave with a smile on my face and feel less stressed no matter what I’ve been going through. I think every student should have something like that to keep a good balance in their lifestyle.  

PDE: Do you plan to stay involved in dance after graduation?

JA: Yes! I am going to be a Zumba instructor at my local LA Fitness… I mean if there are opportunities that come up where I can continue, I will definitely make an effort. Most likely, however, I will continue my daily dancing in the kitchen, trying to master double pirouettes among other turns.

Performing "Stay" with Katie Lamp'l, Fall 2013 

Javid is graduating with a degree in Molecular Biology & Biochemistry and Computer Science. He is working towards entering the new field of Bioinformatics in order to incorporate both of his majors. In the long term, he plans on going to medical school, or ”if advancements in technology allow for more discoveries along the lines of cancer treatment or biofuel production,” he’ll continue on in Bioinformatics.

Javid, though you were with us for only a year, you have truly become an integral part of the Prelude family! Thank you so much for the fun, the smiles, the laughs, all of the hard work, and of course, those ultimate Frisbee lessons. Break a leg on Sunday!

Be sure to see Javid and the rest of our seniors in their last show, “Compass,” April 13 at the East Athens Educational Dance Center.