On September 12, 2021, I hopped on a plane and moved from Seattle to Ireland to study contemporary dance at the University of Limerick. It was a move five-years in the making, fueled by my lifelong love of Ireland itself and my growing career as a movement artist. I can say without reservation that this move was the best personal, professional, and artistic decision I’ve made to date. Living in a country that feels like home while advancing myself as a dancer has been transformative on a cellular level. I would love to share with you a bit of what I’ve learned on my Irish journey so far.
Read MoreBecoming a good artist requires a lot of time and is a highly individual process. True art, in its various forms, comes from observing the world, coming to know yourself, and the synthesis between the two. There is no substitute for the hours of training, studying, and absorbing that need to be done in order to hone your craft and distinguish your voice as an individual.
Read MoreNW Dance Project’s Artistic Director Sarah Slipper believes that there is a need for women representation in leadership positions in the dance industry. When asked about the true power of a title, she says that, in her opinion, it is less about “power” and more about the opportunity to guide, provide wisdom, and lead individuals. “It is important to see shared equality in leadership roles,” Sarah says. “Representation is very, very important, especially in key roles.” In an industry dominated by women participants, ensuring that leadership reflects that is of the utmost importance.
Read MoreI think there are ways that dance teachers can focus on molding confident students who are gentle with themselves and love their bodies, over and above seeking technical excellence. I think studios can welcome in and effectively serve each dancer that walks in their doors. Punishing and accusing our bodies can be seen as an outmoded means to success. Exclusivity and unreachable standards don’t have to be what defines the dance world. Instead, body liberation can be the guiding force and joyful expression can be the ultimate goal of dance education.
Read MoreDuring the last year, I’ve been on an intentional fitness journey, spurred along by the privilege of getting back into a dance studio to train consistently, even amid the ongoing pandemic. All through lockdown, I was in remote university courses for dance, yet I saw a significant decrease in my desire to maintain my fitness and nutrition goals. This was because I did not have a dancing community physically around me and had very little space at home to maintain a usual training rhythm. I feel excited and so thankful to be once again moving toward my goals in a way that feels challenging and freeing.
Read MoreFor all of my life, my body has been what most people would think is not a conventional “dancer body.” While there is no shade intended to be thrown to those who are of a different physique, I was never a naturally thin person and yet constantly felt like my life would be easier if I were, that the thin dancers at my childhood studio got the most attention and respect paid to their work. I knew there were certain roles I would not likely be considered for because of the aesthetic desired versus the one I represented. In another space, I was told that I am “the nerdy, girl-next-door type,” but “not the leading lady type,” and I felt that held true for how I was perceived in the dance space as well.
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