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Synthesis Courses
Rehearsal and Performance
Ecstatic Earth
2019
As a freshman, I was genuinely ecstatic to be featured in two pieces in my first Mainstage dance concert. Bolero and Menswear were both so unique in their own ways, and being part of both pieces allowed me to explore my versatility as an artist. Bolero was extremely physical, and it also gave me the opportunity to include some of my own choreography into the pieces. Menswear has by far been one of the most fun and exciting dances I have ever done. I am used to dancing contemporary or modern pieces, so to be a part of this eclectic style was new and enjoyable. The rehearsal process for both pieces gave me a chance to work with the upperclassman dancers, and it was overall a great first experience in the dance program as a whole.
Bolero, 2019
Spectral Heartbeats
2020
Being part of Spectral Heartbeats was a rewarding and reflective experience. Clearly, an all-online dance concert and rehearsal process was going to be something new for me. At times, I felt very frustrated at being confined to my living room, and Zoom rehearsals were difficult. However, getting to cultivate these new experiences and even pull off a live performance from my living room ended up being special in its own way. Getting the chance to work with Samantha Gerach and Margherita Tisato for Rooms was incredibly rewarding. Additionally, getting to be in my first dance film in Masha Bandouli's Mic Check 1.2 was an exciting experience. Spectral Heartbeats taught me about the importance of being flexible and adaptive as an artist.
Rooms, 2020
Nevertheless, She Persisted
2021
Coming out of COVID, Nevertheless, She Persisted was a reminder of the grit and effort it takes successfully execute a production. This dance concert challenged me in many ways, yet it made me a stronger and more intellectual artist. Taking on a difficult and controversial role, finding important ways to use my artistry, and staying true to myself were a few of the avenues I explored throughout this process. They contributed to my growth as an artist and allowed me to experience how social justice can be discovered through dance.
Chapters in the Revolution, 2021
The Dream of Home
Although I am sad to have reached my senior year mainstage, The Dream of Home was such a rewarding production to be part of. I physically pushed myself throughout the rehearsal and performance process and felt honored and proud to share the concert with the wider Loyola community. Many experiences, such as having the privilege to learn the historic and monumental Missa Brevis, working with Sarah Cullen Fuller, and getting to learn from the guest artist, Dominique Atwood, all contributed to my growth as a dancer and woman. I feel extremely accomplished to have been a part of this production.
Missa Brevis, 2022
Dance Pedagogy
Dance pedagogy was a fascinating class that taught me invaluable tools as a prospective dance teacher. Not only did I learn the importance of time management, communication, and boundaries in the dance classroom, but I also got to collaborate with my peers to create a hypothetical community project. This class allowed me to think about dance from a perspective outside of being the dancer/mover directly involved and prepared me to think more logistically and analytically about the art form.
Dance Internship
I completed my internship at Chicago Dancers United, a fundraising organization that works to support dancers by providing financial assistance to help pay for their healthcare bills. I am thankful this internship was interdisciplinary and allowed me to find areas in which in which dance and healthcare are compatible. I was responsible for managing donation data and working events, and this internship allowed me to participate in the professional dance scene in many ways. I also helped Dance for Life 2022 come to fruition, and this was an overall invaluable experience.
Dance for Life 2022
Dance for Life 2022
Dance for Life 2022
Dance Composition
This course was the most difficult synthesis course I have taken at Loyola. I had never choreographed a dance before, so the thought of holding productive rehearsals and creating at 5-7 piece was overwhelming. My biggest struggles throughout the process were choreographing against the music and letting go of what I thought my piece should look like. I had both positive and negative relationships with myself and my piece throughout the process, but it was the perfect type of intellectual and artistic challenge. I loved the freedom to make all my own choices about the cast, music, movement, costumes, and lighting, and I felt like a knowledgeable member of the dance community after successfully completing the course. My piece, The Lotus, embodied my values as an artist and person, and I will always treasure this experience.
The Lotus Cast
Research in Dance & ACDA
2020: During the spring semester of my freshman year, I had the opportunity to be in Research in Dance. This course gave me the chance to continue to work on Bolero, which was incredibly exciting! Unfortunately, I was unable to stay in Abby Darrow's Menswear due to a time conflict with the rehearsal, but I was nevertheless extremely happy to be in the course. Continuing rehearsals and looking forward to attending ACDA was a great experience. Sadly, I never got the chance to attend the dance conference, and this was very difficult for me to resonate with. This was an event I was really looking forward to, and to have had the opportunity to attend it so early into the major felt special. However, this experience gave me time to reflect on the course, and hopefully, I will have the chance to go in the next few years.
2022: Getting the opportunity to travel to ACDA was a highlight of my college dance experience. I loved working with Molly and my fellow peers in Glossolalia, and sharing the piece beyond state lines felt very impactful. I also enjoyed observing the work of other dance programs in the region. It was insightful to observe the styles being explored by other students, as it is easy to be so focused on the Loyola curriculum. Additionally, I loved taking a variety of classes. Whether it was a “flying” contemporary class, African Groove, or Gaga, I took advantage of attending classes not accessible at Loyola. This experience was beyond rewarding, and I loved the community we built in Milwaukee.
