MY VISION AS AN ARTIST
ARTISTIC STATEMENT
As a dance artist, the act of creating allows me to communicate my perception of the world and lead with empathy, connectivity, and passion. My work is inspired by its ability to illustrate breathtaking movement prospects while also maintaining an authentic relationship to the audience and space. My movement is driven by music and is influenced by the exploration of genuine stories. My choreography emphasizes movement that prompts individuality by bringing out the human in the dancer and shapes the work into a story that is sincere for the viewer. I perceive the human body as a blank canvas in which I can draw inspiration to create movement. The movement then becomes the paint and each layer adds depth. I believe while creating, I have the responsibility of unveiling a version of the truth and providing a safe space for vulnerability. By unveiling a version of the truth and sharing a part of myself through personal experiences, I can create unique and individualized work. My art brings out a profound sense of self-expression and exploration that can touch the audience on a personal level. Sharing and viewing performing art has given me structure and has constantly challenged my determination, imagination, and strength as an artist. I believe art has the primary function of bringing people of dissimilar cultures together, celebrating individuality, challenging opinions, and recognizing a sense of communication through music, dance, and storytelling.
TEACHING STATEMENT
As a teacher, I believe a dance class should be a learning environment that inspires creativity, communication, and collaboration of ideas amongst students. Throughout my dance experience, I have been challenged with creative exploration and how to effectively collaborate with others. I plan to bring these values into my teaching. My class will reflect a positive environment where the students feel vulnerable and show authenticity within their movement. By incorporating elements of guided discovery and creative imagery, my classes enable students to explore their imagination and interpret how these images resonate with them. My teaching method focuses on creating an engaging space that sparks intellectual conversations between the students and the teacher. This challenges the dancer’s ability to critically think about both the historical context of technique as well as how to perform the technical aspects of each style. After taking my class, students will feel confident in their ability to problem-solve, engage in in-depth conversations about performance quality and movement techniques, and collaborate with their peers. I can measure my effective teaching when I see that my students are actively engaged and provide a thoughtful response to the conversation. I provide my student’s opportunities during class to voice their opinion and after class journal their thoughts and feedback they obtained. Seeing my dancers apply themselves and enjoying the process of their development makes my heart fill with joy. Successful teaching is important to me because I can inspire others around me and share my love of creativity, expression, and passion with others.