Why I want to pursue Graduate studies

Dance is the door to exploring, molding, and defining my identity. Throughout my life I have challenged myself to take every opportunity available to sculpt my character. The human personality and soul from afar are a simple shape, after looking more closely and studying it, more unique and intricate facets of the object appear from the single dimension to become a complex multi-dimensional object. Dance is a tool for studying and learning more facets to the human spirit. There are infinite possibilities and facets to discover about yourself and the world.

I am currently intrigued by the idea of site-specific dance, the ability of space to effect the movement. I want to experiment with the effect of dance in a space with the audience there to experience the interaction. Dance in a space created for a camera and dance on stage affected by a space caught on camera. The dynamics of the interaction between an unusual space, dancer(s), and media needs further exploration.

Living in a tiny apartment in France I began creating site-specific works in different parts of my living space. While I had done site-specific improvisations before, the audience was usually there to view the pieces. This was the first time I had created work for a camera and I found the challenge inspiring.

I want a creative and cerebral study of dance. I want to take my library of knowledge and apply it to every aspect of my life. Everything is a web connected together: technique, music, lighting, anatomy; they are all facets of an idea. In this ever-changing world it is important to be more than a specialist. Every area of study is applicable to another, musicality can inform movement, which can be influenced by light, and influenced by another human’s desires or needs.

Dance in its purest form is relatable to everyone, even in a miniscule way. Dance is based upon pure human emotion and experience. Intertwined with the use of movement, dance becomes an investigation between the human mind and body guided by the spirit. I use the world around me as a source of inspiration to explore relationships between myself and the world, things, people and rhythms in it.

I have never fully immersed myself in dance; it has always been a secondary activity to school. I’m ready to make dance the focus of my life and to be challenged in an academic study of the art.