Choreography 2

So far, I have taken two choreography classes at WSU. Spring 2009 was choreography 2, and I really felt like I made progress in this class. Half of the class was devoted to learning the "toolbox", and the second half was devoted to creating a 4-6 minute group piece.

 The way I view choreography has changed drastically over these last two years. For the longest time I thought that there was something so special about people that choreographed dances. They had some knowledge that I didn't possess and I wouldn't be able to construct a dance until I had "it". In the Spring of 2008, Doug Nielson was the guest artist at Wichita State. He came in and taught our dance improv class a few times and had some really great advice for creating. My favorite quote was "Don't set out to make a masterpiece." It is so true. You aren't going to create a masterpiece right away...you have to have time to grow and find yourself. I guess the point is to just create. That is the only way to learn.

 It is so exciting for me to try and find my voice as an artist. I have realized that there isn't some magical knowledge that makes it easy to choreograph. There is only experience and practice. My second chance to practice in front of an audience was with my choreography 2 project "Dissonance". My dancers were great and one of them was kind enough to shoot a video of it and post it on her youtube page. Here is the video of my piece "Dissonance".

 

Doug Varone

Spring break of 2009 was the hardest I have ever worked as a dancer. Doug Varone dancers came to WSU to set the piece “Of the Earth Far Below”. I went into this audition prepared and confident. I had no idea whether or not I would make it, but I just wanted to do the absolute best I could do. I was shocked when the cast list was called out and my name was there. It is so rewarding when hard work pays off. This piece was nearly 17 minutes of pure movement. The cast of eight learned the entire piece over two weeks. Knowing that I could do this has just made me hungrier as a dancer. I want this more than ever and I finally feel like I can have it.

People will always try to tell you that you have to do things even though you hate them. I have always been the one person that says “NO, you don’t have to do something you hate”. With hard work and complete dedication, you can be anything you want to be. Knowing that is a powerful thing and some people never get there.

First Choreography

Throughout my sophomore year of college, I could really begin to see my voice as an artist coming through. I was finding out that I have important things to say and that my ideas are worth hearing. Finding that confidence to explore and create is just great. It makes me so excited. It was finally time to put some of my

 ideas out there, good or bad. I choreographed my first piece that was actually put onstage with lights, music, and costumes. I completed a project! I also choreographed with another dancer. Working with others is so valuable. I love it when ideas are bouncing around. It is great when different styles come together to collide or complement one another. “Shades of Grey”, and “Living Vacant” were the first dances I had ever put up for an audience to form an opinion about. I can’t wait to do it again. Here are some pictures from my piece “Shades of Grey”!

  

dre.dance

Fall of 2008 was off to a great start. Within the first few weeks of school, Andrew Palermo from dre.dance was in to hold auditions for his new work beyond.words, choreographed by him and Taye Diggs. I was so pleased to be cast in this piece. The movement really inspired me. It is an exploration of autism, and is absolutely captivating. Not only did WSU get to perform the first section of this evening length performance, but we also had the opportunity to dance alongside the company members. Getting to know those who have made it in this hard occupation was invaluable. I tried to soak up everything I could. The Wichita Eagle wrote a couple of great articles on the premiere of this piece. One article can be found on their website at http://dredance.com/Wichita_Eagle_9-3-07.pdf . Also, dre.dance has posted a little demo video of this particular work. I was excited to see myself in the background of this! I am making my way one step at a time! Here is the video:

Taiwan

I really want to start where it all got so exciting for me. Up until this point, dancing had never taken me anywhere. It had always been my passion and the reason for all of my dreams, but they were always just dreams. After only one year of dancing at WSU, I got the amazing chance to travel abroad to Taiwan to perform.

We got the best greeting you could ask for. I tried new foods, took new classes, and experienced a culture so rich and different. It was such an honor to perform there. It was a ten day tour spanning three cities and filled with excitement. Here are just a few pictures of the piece I was in and the beautiful places I got to see.

This year

This year has been an amazing journey for me. I have had the opportunity to work on so many new projects. I decided it would be best to keep a record of the things I have done while it is all fresh in my mind.

It is only my second year as a dance major at WSU, and I have gained so much. The faculty is so supportive and helpful. I finally feel like I am on the way to accomplishing my dreams.

I have had the opportunity to travel abroad, work with amazing choreographers, and even start putting together works of my own.

I have so much to say as an artist and it is only the beginning.