PARALLAX
Project Overview:
Parallax is a dance performance that explores the profound and enigmatic human experience. Being itinerant and interactive, the show aims to break the barriers between the audience and the cast. The piece is designed in a 360º format and is meant to be experienced in an arena-like setting. Just like the dance, the music was composed and mixed with this immersive structure in mind.
The word "Parallax" comes from the Greek parallaxis, meaning “change” or “alteration.”
Creative Process
The creation process began with the dancers in early 2023. I joined the project in October of that year. Until then, the choreographers had been experimenting with "movement formulas"—short dance cells—which later formed the basis of the choreography. During that phase, they used existing tracks from different genres and artists, and there was not yet a unified musical identity for Parallax.
Once I received rehearsal videos and conceptual materials, I began composing based on the choreographic cells. The creative references led to a variety of contrasting yet complementary musical ideas. At first, four core concepts were introduced to me: Self (Eu), Cycles (Ciclos), What Is Not (O Que Não É), and Chains (Cadeias). Each of these inspired unique compositional approaches:
Chains (Cadeias): I added instruments one by one, layering the textures progressively to reflect interconnectivity and buildup.
Cycles (Ciclos): The music was built using looping structures, evoking repetition and transformation.
Self (Eu): This was a more intuitive and personal creation, enriched by my friendship with the cast and time immersed in the project’s world.
What Is Not (O Que Não É): The most abstract and challenging concept, which I explored through contrasting sonic textures and unpredictability.
Over time, these concepts evolved, and the music did too. For instance, Echos, initially created under the “What Is Not” concept, stood out by being unlike any other piece—yet elements of chains, cycles, and the personal “self” echoed across all compositions.
The choreography and soundtrack were developed simultaneously, creating unique challenges. Dancers often rehearsed in silence, building movement sequences that would later sync with music. It was my first time composing a full-length score while the choreography was still in development—a rewarding but complex puzzle that required constant communication and creative flexibility.
Reflections
Parallax was more than a creative endeavor—it was a journey of growth, empathy, and artistic partnership. The process taught me the power of collective creation, the importance of deep listening, and the emotional resonance that emerges when movement and music evolve together.
Beyond the performance, Parallax made me reflect on my own identity, how I experience the cycles of life, the patterns I repeat, the invisible chains I carry—and all the things I am not, but might one day become.