Skip to main content

Featured

A Decade After Her Rise Misty Copeland Shifts The World of Ballet Once Again

 For maybe two months I’d have random moments of quick thoughts. Although quick, they were important. They were worth pondering in my mind because, whenever it actually came true, it’d mean things in dance, things in ballet are really changing. Those quick, repetitive thoughts were about the retirement of Misty Danielle Copeland.  Today was the today. Today is when I actually read the news. Although I’d been having thoughts of the inevitable, reading that NY Times headline made me feel more mentally prepared than I assumed. Allow me to explain. I recognize the retirement of Misty Copeland, just about on the heels of Gillian Murphy's, to be an announcement of a monumental shift in ballet. When I was a high school dancer, the most beautiful dancers— the dancers I looked up to, seemed to dance forever. While companies are looking younger and social media is hailing as a prominent stimulant to detect and experience true artistry, the turning of the tide is truly here.  I’ll b...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Top 2 Most Inspiring Dance Moments of 2023

 Here we are!! We have made it to the final Artist Impression article of 2023. This year has been a whirlwind of many different things on the landscape of professional dance. From the passing of one of my favorite legends, onstage newness and fresh faces of leadership, the dance world was laced with both shocking and surprising events.

So here it is! I thought I’d unpack my top two most inspiring dance moments of 2023! In no particular order, let’s get into it.

These two moments have inspired or informed my stance as a professional artist in some way. Up first onstage in my top 2 most inspiring dance moments of 2023 was Robert Garland becoming Virginia Johnson’s successor as the Artistic Director of The Dance Theatre of Harlem. Although announced in 2022, Garland officially took his place in July of 2023. 

I must say, when I read the new I was super ecstatic for Mr. Garland (I can’t help but to acknowledge him as such because I spent time at DTH’s Summer Intensive). The reason I chose this moment is because I found it such an honor, for Mr. Garland of course, to be stepping into this prominent role. Let’s look at the lineage of DTH leadership really quickly. We had the legendary Arthur Mitchell, the legendary Virginia Johnson and now, Robert Garland? What a responsibility! What an honor!

I spent a little time snickering, singing, dancing new choreographic ideas and learning from Mr. Garland one Summer at DTH. I think he’s going to do a wonderful job and great work in this new position. I’ve already been enjoying seeing him in a lot of photos across social media. I can’t wait to see what his new, full season will bring!

Next up to the stage are The Dancers of Syracuse. That’s how we met them but they are the Central NewYork Ballet. I first got wind of their story from former prima ballerina, Gavin Larsen. I chose this as my second inspirational dance moment of 2023 because I found the decision of the dancers to be one of courage and necessity. I also connected with the dancers because, as I shared with them, last season I had to make the tough decision of resigning from my ballet company largely in part because of horrible dancing conditions and dancer care.

From watching their story hit major news outlets, to witnessing the excitement of dance lovers rooting them on as they raised funds to receive a matching offer, I too was rooting from them. In order for leaders of the new that is happening in dance, to arise and arrive, there has to be a level of grit, audacity and follow through. New heights won’t be reached doing the same things that don't get results. Kudos to them! Did I mention they were a part of the global dance convergence? That’s how I see Nutcracker Season! While companies all over the world were on stage, so were they. What a thrill! How boss! How inspiring!

If you’re like me you are certainly looking forward to what 2024 will offer the world of dance. But if you’re like Robert Garland or The Dancers of Syracuse, whatever it brings, you’ll be ready to rule! 


Loooove you guys. 

Until next time,

Happy Dancing

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts