Artist Statement- Performance

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Dance allows for personal expression that goes beyond what mere words can do. Through movement, I experience connections and feel a sense of community with audiences, dance makers, and myself that I can’t replicate anywhere else.

There is a unique, dynamic relationship between dancers and the audience. Through dance, I have personally discovered the true meaning of authenticity and presence in every moment. I believe that when these concepts are brought into performances, they take audiences on a powerful journey and make them question what they know and understand about themselves and others. These ideas have become the foundation of my values as a performer. In addition to moving an audience intellectually, I want to captivate, inspire, and astonish the audience members that see a performance through the expressive physicality I bring to movement.

I have the honor of connecting with and providing something meaningful to the dancemaker, as well. My job as a dancer is to fulfill the vision of the choreographer and share the unique qualities that I bring to the table as a mover. I act as both the paintbrush and the paint on the canvas. I believe that every artist I work with in the rehearsal space can inform and influence my own dancing and choreographic process. Through the dancer-choreographer relationship, we have an opportunity to show an audience a new perspective, take them on a journey, or provide them with a new experience.

Dance allows me to connect with myself and grow. I enjoy performing works that have technically demanding movement vocabulary accompanied by expressive, nuanced, and theatrical layers. As a dancer, I value versatility within myself. I have performed ballet, modern, contemporary, and jazz choreography as an ensemble member and a soloist. To successfully perform this wide range of repertory, I have taken risks and pushed myself physically and intellectually.

It is the mind-body connection that I continue to develop through movement exploration that excites me. The physical and intellectual push that comes with dance is one of my favorite elements of the art and is something I desire to keep pursuing, so I find opportunities to take risks, be daring, and be open to process. I find challenging myself and pushing past my boundaries to be a refreshing and invigorating experience. The connection that I develop with myself through dance creates the foundation for how I work with other artists and connect to audiences.

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