I am taking 26 credit hours this semester, that's 9 courses plus my teaching on top of that. I am visiting two campuses a day for a total of 4 campuses per week. I didn't realize how a la carte my course selection could be and I am really taking advantage of the Five Colleges Dance Department set-up.
Good thing I brought my car. There is a free bus service between all the campuses that range from 10-20 mins away from each other , but instead I have been using my car to get to my teaching load on time and for a chance to listen to my CBC podcasts!! Can't live without my daily CBC hit, I might lose my Canadian edge. My schedule is definitely full, but luckily even more inspiring.
My theory courses consist of two grad seminar classes:
- Literature and History of Dance -a research methods and writing course in preparation for my summer paper and end thesis.
- Music and Dance- a theory and studio based course led by Mike Vargas. In this class we draw from the text Audio Culture- Readings in Modern Music. The text is full of inspiring readings about music trends, movements, and composition theory. We then take the base of each text and apply it too the body and dance composition. This Friday morning class is an excellent way to end my week, so far we've had pots and pants in the room, tied ourselves all together, and had guest artist Janet Feder who plays and composes for "prepared guitar."
In the studio, on my feet running, I am taking two technique classes and one creation/repertory class, dancing minimum three hours a day plus my teaching days.
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| Crew House Dance Studio |
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| Gardens at Smith |
I am taking technique from the lovely Angie Hauser, faculty member at Smith, who also dances for Bebe Miller. Angie is premiering a big piece with Bebe Miller called "Tracing History" this weekend at Ohio State University. Even in her busy schedule she took a few moments to skype into our class and introduce us to the production team!
On the Amherst campus I am taking technique with Paul Matteson and his repertory class on the Mount Hoyloke campus. Paul danced with Bill T Jones for many years and now holds a joint faculty position with Amherst and MHC. I am really enjoying his class, Paul has really soft, spongy and buoyant joints and way of moving. I am beginning to feel the effects on my plie and release in my ankle joints. The piece we are working on is investigating soft collisions and layering gestures and people. Some days I think I should be wearing a hockey helmet (in true Canadian fashion) for the amount of times someone is jumping over my head, but we magically bounce around and through each other like in bouncy castle or on the clouds.
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| Scott Dance Studio |
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| Scott Dance Studio Entrance |
Later on in the semester I am taking part in the creative residency with guest artist Colleen Thomas. Colleen is a New York based dancer/chroeographer and performing artist. She too also danced with Bebe Miller and Bill T Jones, along with Nina Wiener Dance, Donald Byrd and Kevin Wynn and now directs her own company Colleen Thomas Dance.
My other courses are:
1st Year Performance, Crew Assignment, Creative Process (where I am making a solo).
More to come on these later..... :)
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| Grad Office in the Green Box |
I could say more, and more, and more, and this has only been month one!
I am surrounded by so many inspiring improvisors (Chris Aiken, Angie and Mike Vargas, etc.) that my creative edge and the creative edge of the room is always being tested, tapped and tweaked. The many readings and amazing performing arts library complete with rich video and audio streaming resources, the landscape and the people. I am truly blessed to be here and looking forward to the months ahead!
