Ilze Mažāne
1954
Choreographer, educator
Born 19 February 1954 in Rīga. Studied at Cēsis No 1 Secondary School. Initial interest in dance arose in the school dance group led by I. Pūcītis. Graduated from the Cultural and Education Workers’ Technical College (1976) and furthered her education in the Choreography Department of the Jāzeps Vītols Academy of Music (1981–1986).
While studying in Rīga, became a dancer in the Vektors folk-dance ensemble led by Uldis Šteins and in parallel started to direct the Ritenītis (Little Wheel) dance ensemble (from 1978). Dancers big and small wanted to dance with this much-loved educator, so two new ensembles were created – the children’s dance group Mazais ritenītis (1983) and the middle-generation dance group Greizie rati (Ursa Major, 1997). The director is justifiably proud that those who once started dancing in Mazais ritenītis are now dancing in Greizie rati. The ranks of dancers are now being supplemented by the children of former dancers, thus forming generations of Ritenītis dancers. “There are those who say I am firm and some who criticise me for lacking ambition. It seems to me that winning prizes isn’t so important, but the it is the emotions that come from dancing and being together that matter.” (Zelča, Ina. Being a Chief choreographer. Nra.lv. 30 June 2010)
In parallel, has lectured on the history of Latvian dancing costumes and methodologies for directing dance groups at the Rīga School of Culture (1991–1998), on Latvian dance at the Rīga School of Choreography (1990–1996) and in the Choreography Department of the Jāzeps Vītols Academy of Music (1996–1997 and since 2000). Since 1996, Mažāne has been the senior expert in Dance Art at the National Centre for Education.
Has composed some 40 new dances, which have often been included in the Dance-celebration repertoire, such as Dīdeklis (Fidget) and Pērkoņdancis (Thunder Dance) danced at concerts of the 11th Dance Celebration. The choreographer’s signature calls on Latvian dance traditions, she has meticulously studied folkloric materials in order to preserve the Latvian spirit in her compositions.
Mažāne has gained rich experience in creating song and dance celebration programmes. As early as in 1989, she is assisting Chief choreographer Harijs Sūna and Inta Dimante at the 6th Latvian Schools’ Song and Dance Celebration. At the 12th Dance Celebration, she is the creator of and Chief choreographer for the Vidzemes raksti (Vidzeme Patterns) production. “Every director of a dance group was once a dancer. I always say that chief choreographers have to keep two things in mind – you have to ask yourself what do I want to do? and then, how will I achieve it? If the Celebration Chief choreographer knows this, it makes it easier for the participants. If he starts to doubt himself, the mass of people can become uncontrollable. Of course, this requires experience, being a good diplomat, and you have to love the thousands of people on the arena.” (Zelča, Ina. Being a Chief choreographer. Nra.lv 30 June 2010)
A Chief choreographer at the 11th and 13th-17th Dance Celebrations and Chief choreographer for Rīga District dance groups.
