Philosophy

  • Trust is the foundation upon which all of my classes and choreographic works are built. In these settings, there are three distinct types of trust that I ask students to engage in: trust in one’s instructor, trust in one’s peers, and most importantly, trust in one’s self. In order to create a safe learning environment, trust and respect must work in tandem. While trust is a process that often begins with a leap of faith, I carefully and consistently reinforce this process through activities and discussions.

  • I emphasize exploration of practice over the end product. I not only encourage students to fail, but expect it. I ask students to be open and honest with themselves about the differences between danger and discomfort, and urge them to lean into the uncomfortable moments, movements, and experiences. 

  • My interest in dance is primarily as a method of communication. In language, we expand our vocabulary to increase our capacity for nuanced discourse. The same is true of nonverbal communication. I believe in pushing the human body to the extremes: a deep investigation of movements from the pedestrian to more virtuosic, acrobatic, athletic forms. Students will confront their personal physical, mental, and emotional ranges and work to expand them.

  • A core tenet of my teaching philosophy is play. I propose that playfulness is a necessary tool that can be used to connect with one’s self and peers as we work through the challenges presented in class. Without play and a good sense of humor, engaging in trust, risk-taking, and rigor might feel arduous. When students are allowed to embrace play, we can anchor ourselves in it and deepen our practice in all directions.

Courses Taught

  • Taylor-based Modern (basics - professional), Mixed Technique Modern (basics - professional), Ballet (basics - intermediate/advanced), Postmodern and Contemporary Forms (basics - professional), Floorwork (basics - professional), Partnering, Composition, Repertory, Conditioning and Strength, Task-Based Improvisation Techniques, Improvisation with Others, Games.

  • Introduction to Ballet (lecture + studio), Introduction to Modern Dance (lecture + studio), Viewing Dance (lecture), Jazz Basics (technique), Beginning Jazz (technique), Modern Basics (technique), Beginning Modern (technique), Intermediate Modern (technique), Advanced Modern (technique).

  • Intergenerational Dance Practice; Composition for Non-Proscenium Spaces; Dancing the Text: Ethnographic Dancemaking; 20th cen. American Dance History; Theories of Practice and Performance (Critical Dance Studies); Wellness and the Body (Care Studies); Defining Dance: Ritual, Religion, and Performance; The Art of Storytelling: Narratives and Dance (Dance Writing and Criticism); Dance, Gesture, and Language; Embodiment: Anthropological, Philosophical, Performance Perspectives; Dance Anthropology.