Drowned Madonna: You has established yourself as one of the most important dancers and then your works as a dancer lead you to assisting several top choreographers and then to be a choreographer. How long have you studied dancing?

RJ Durell: All my life. My mother was a dancer and has a school in Grand Rapids Michigan where I grew up called The Moving Company. She tells me that as soon as I could walk I was dancing around the house, and that as soon as I could talk I would ask to take dance class. Officially I started at age 3, which would make it 26 years now that I have been studying the art of movement. I practically grew up at the Moving Company. The more I danced, the more that I wanted to dance. I was lucky enough to have it at my finger tips, and took full advantage of it. Starting at age 15 I would take the summers in New York City and study at the School of American Ballet. Then two weeks after my 18th birthday I came out to Los Angeles on scholarship at the Edge in Hollywood.

DM: Do you remember your first professional jobs?

RJ: Sure I do. My first audition off scholarship from the Edge was for a T.V. show called "The Drew Carey Show." Ironically enough it was for a choreographer Keith Young who choreographed for Madonna's Girlie Show Tour. Keith took me under his wing and I worked with him consistently both as a dancer and assistant choreographer. Most of my early gigs were in film and television until I went to broadway in 1998 with "On the Town."

DM: How hard was to become an 'in demand' dancer?

RJ: Becoming an "in demand dancer" is as hard as becoming the best at anything in life. It takes great focus, positivity, time, effort, and skill to be truly great at anything. Like any artist I had to learn how to surf the ebb and flow of creation and work. Fortunately I have been very blessed and I have found ways to adapt to the dance industry as it changes.

DM: As a dancer, you worked on movies, television, commercial, music videos, Broadway stage and toured with several international singers. What do you put on top of your best jobs listening? What are you proud of?

RJ: I loved working on "Bootylicilious" because I love Destiny's Child and Beyonce, and the song is just hot. "Movin' Out" was exciting for me because I got to work with Twyla Tharp and on one of the biggest dance shows to hit Broadway in a while. My other favorite gig would have to be "A Time for Dancing." It was a special project at a special time for all of us who worked on it. We loved making that movie.

DM: Who did you inspired you the most?

RJ: My biggest inspirations in my life would first and for most be my parents, I love them both so much. My dance inspirations are Michael Kidd, Jerome Robbins, Alex Magno, Keith Young, Busby Berkeley, and Fosee.

DM: What is your favourite choreographer you have worked with?

RJ: Alex Magno created some of my favorite choreography to dance. It always felt so right to me when i was dancing for him. He is a brilliant choreographer and a wonderful man. I am honored to have had him as a mentor.

DM: We also love Alex.. we had the honour to talk with him... Your higher career point as a choreographer has been choreographing Madonna last summer on her Confessions Tour. Was it a dream which became true?

RJ: Choreographing for Madonna was the most thrilling thing I have accomplished in my life. I remember watching Madonna's Girlie Show on HBO when I was growing up in Michigan and thinking to myself, "If you dance with Madonna you've made it." As a dancer I didn't have the chance to work with Madonna, so to have one of my first major choreography gigs with Madonna was incredible. I was high for weeks, awake in my dreams going to rehearsal to choreograph for Madonna.

DM: How did you get the job?

RJ: I was on set choreographing a Fruit of the Loom commercial, a dancer of mine told me that she had heard that Madonna was looking for an additional choreographer for her tour. She also told me that they were looking for a disco partnering routine. Although I had never choreographed disco, I loved to choreograph partnering. I called my agent right away, I knew this was an opportunity of a life time. My agent told me that I had two days to put the routine together and get it on tape to submit to Madonna. Because I was shooting the commercial and working 12 hour days I had my work cut out for me. Nothing was going to stop me from getting this submission in. I phoned my friends and asked if they would dance for me, rented studio space, researched disco and called someone to film it for me. Thanks to the help of my friends I was able to get the submission in on time to my agency. It took a lot of focus and hard work, but it was well worth it for chance to work with Madonna.

DM: What did you feel when you got hired?

RJ: I handed my submission to my agent first thing Friday morning and went to set for the commercial. We didn't rap the shoot until late that night, and as you can imagine I was tired. I slept great that night knowing that I had a full and successful week. I woke up late Saturday morning and was out running errands when my phone rings. It's my agent on a Saturday morning, this must be good news. Before the words finished coming out of his mouth,"RJ you booked Madonna's Tour!" I had to pull over. I was crawling out of my skin with excitement. The first thing I did was call my mom. I wanted to share the moment with her seeing how much she had contributed to my life in dance. In some ways the moment is a blur, but I do remember feeling absolutely electric.

DM: Do you remember the first time you met Madonna?

RJ: Of course I remember the first time that I met Madonna. I had finished prepping Erotica and it was time to present the number to Madonna. As the dancers took their opening positions Jamie introduced me to Madonna. She was very polite and shook my hand. Jamie, Madonna and I sat down to watch Erotica and I couldn't decide if I wanted to watch my choreography or watch Madonna watch my choreography. I did a bit of both to be honest.

DM: You contributed choreography to 3 numbers. Erotica, La Isla Bonita, and Lucky Star. Erotica replaced Deeper and Deeper, while La Isla Bonita replaced Everybody. Isn't it?

RJ: I think that it is normal for any show to under go changes. Although I am not sure why the changes were made, I am certain that they were for the best.

DM: What were your inspirations for your choreographies?

RJ: Madonna was my first inspiration for all the choreography that I contributed to the Confessions tour. I studied her past tours to make sure that the movement I created would feel right to Madonna. I tried to capture how she moves and create my numbers especially for her. Secondary inspirations were Saturday Night Fever and Abba.

DM: Who had the idea of the "Dancing Queen" mantle?

RJ: "Dancing Queen" was something that already existed before I joined tour. I would imagine that Madonna had to have come up with it. She is the one calling all the shots.

DM: We saw a sketch with a different (pink) costume for Madonna for this section. Have you ever saw her wearing that?

RJ: Nope. I only ever saw her rehearse in her white unitard.

DM: Can you tell us more about the rehearsals months?

RJ: During rehearsals we all worked very hard and were focused on making the best show that we could for Madonna. I remember working very intensely and loving it. I would go to rehearsal excited each day to see how the show was shaping up and to work on polishing my numbers.

DM: What are your favourite dancers on the Confessions Tour?

RJ: Honestly I loved all the dancers on the Confessions Tour. They all brought a unique quality to the show that helped to make it such a special tour. I have a place for each of them in my heart, they all worked so hard to help me make my vision a reality on the stage.

DM: What are your favourite choreographies from the tour?

RJ: My favorite numbers from the Confessions tour are "Let It Will Be" and "Forbidden Love". Madonna captured great diversity in the styles of dance that she used for the Confessions tour. I loved it!

DM: What do you think of Madonna as a dancer?

RJ: Absolutely Amazing! It was thrilling to envision choreography for Madonna and then see her actually performing that movement. I think that Madonna is one of the greatest dancers of our time.

DM: What are your favourite Madonna's tours?

RJ: I would have to say that Madonna's Girlie Show Tour is my all time favorite. I loved how theatrical the show was, it really moved me. Seeing the Girlie Show inspired me to believe in my dreams.

DM: And what about Madonna as a singer? What are your favourite songs, albums and videos?

RJ: My favorite albums of Madonna would have to be Ray of Light and Music. I really connected with those albums emotionally. My all time favorite Madonna music videos would be Express Yourself and Vogue because they make me want to dance every time I see them. My favorite song of Madonna's, right now, is Rescue Me from the Immaculate Collection. l just love it.

DM: Is it true that Madonna is very demanding also with herself?

RJ: One of the things I like most about Madonna is that she would never ask anything of someone that she would not ask of herself. Madonna, I would guess, is harder on herself than she is on anyone else.

DM: What do you think of the other choreographers of the Confessions Tour?

RJ: I was honored to work along side such wonderfully talented choreographers on the Confessions Tour. Madonna knows how to pick the best and I felt privileged to be among the ranks of so many talented artists.

DM: Do you remember the first time that you saw the Confessions Tour live with the audience?

RJ: The first time I saw the Confessions Tour live was the night before the tour kicked off at the Forum in Los Angeles at the friends and family rehearsal. The energy was through the roof and by the time it got to my part of the show I could hardly stay in my seat. Hearing the crowd applaud for the numbers that I worked on has got to be one of the most fulfilling moments in my life. I thought about watching the Girlie Show tour on HBO and dreaming of being apart of Madonna's tour one day. It's amazing to dream big and see that dream become reality.

DM: Would you like to work with Madonna again? Any plan?

RJ: I would love to choreograph for Madonna again. At this time I don't have any current plans to work with her, hopefully when she needs choreography in the future she will think of me.

DM: What are you working on right now?

RJ: Last week I worked on a film called "Ironman" with Gwyneth Paltrow and Robert Downey Jr. and I am work-shopping a Vegas bound show at the moment. The project that is most dear to me right now is an original movie musical that I have conceived and am trying to get made. I am meeting with producers and looking for funding to make my movie. I am excited to direct and choreograph movie musicals, they are the next goal on my check-list of things to accomplish in my career.

DM: What are you planning for the future?

RJ: I have many things that I want to create for the future. I plan on bring storytelling back to dance. I continue to look for venues to express my movement in that allow me to bring emotion to my work. I miss the days when dance was more than just a back-drop. I want to lead the dance revolution. I would like for my name to be synonymous with dance. I want to work on the biggest dance projects that Hollywood produces. I want to direct and choreograph the best music videos, tours, tv shows, commercials and movies that anyone has seen in a long time, inspiring and uplifting as I share my voice with the masses.

DM: Anything you'd like to say to Madonna's fans?

RJ: If you have a dream go for it. Give that dream your full relentless 200% until you achieve it. Know, believe and trust that you and you alone create your reality. Listen to your voice as you unlock your desires and live in pure joy.

Also visit RJ Durell official myspace page at www.myspace.com/rjdurell