This class includes a series of standing warmups, floor work, and 2 movement sequences to practice. These movements have been gathered through my various experiences in my undergraduate dance program at Sweet Briar College. I have been teaching dance in private studio spaces and public school systems for the past 3 years, and performing at…
Tag: art
Stretchy Toddlers Taking Over Dance
I think that the mistaken modern day perspective is that if a child does not have the flexibility, coordination, and stamina of the stretchy toddlers on “Dance Moms” it is not worth giving them an education in dance – they will simply not be good.
Failing and Prevailing
I am a passion – driven person. I recently listened to a Chris Anderson podcast in which Elizabeth Gilbert spoke about the difference between being passion driven and being curiosity driven – curiosity being the more sustainable flame, and passion being the powerful wildfire that, though marvelous will inevitably be squelched, leaving a barren landscape….
A Brief History of the Mother of Modern Dance: Martha Graham
In 1911 Graham spotted a poster of dance legend Ruth St. Dennis in a store, advertising her performance, and begged her father to take her to the performance in Los Angeles, which he did. She came to worship Ruth St. Dennis and five years later went back to Los Angeles for a summer course at Dennis’ company, Dennishawn….
From Colored Sands: A dance of creation (Photos)
This dance is called “From Colored Sand.” It’s a sort of essence-of-life piece which I wanted to evoke a lot of images of life and color. It’s a celebration of both the ease of creation: being thrust into the world, seemingly from nothing, and of the intense concentration and intentionality of living. There is the…
Body and Soul
People tend to believe that the eyes are the window to the soul, but what if you could feel your soul in your fingertips? in your knees? I have come to realize that dance is about taking this lump of flesh that so often, perhaps without even knowing, we see as a vessel, a temple…
Character Sketching Exercise
Some writers come up with characters for their stories based on people they know, conversations they observe, or other characters in stories they have read. I have always had a personal love for writers whose characters seem to be variations on themselves. There is a certain psychology to it that I like. One prime example…
Breaking Silence in the Night
An old poem of mine dug up today: Breaking silence in the Night “I need to be with other people” I understood I accepted I was fine How could I be fine? I should have been cut It should have hurt I wasn’t surprised Almost as if I had already known Or felt the same…
Dance Exploration
Exploration is at the heart of “good” dance. Yes. There is such a thing as good and bad dance. There is so much more to it than good and bad, black and white, but like any instrument there is technique not just to movement but to exploration. You have to know how to be free….
Haunting Voice-Inspired Improv
Yesterday I spent the afternoon with some close friends and talented artists improvising in an abandoned building. This specific clip of dance was inspired by the haunting voice improvisation in the background, sung by music and voice student artist Corin Diaz. Art breeds art.
Not Just Words 