Take a Peek Inside My Brain & My Life This Quarter…Beautifully blooming NYC spring quickly turned into a steamy, stormy, smoky summer. Amidst what feels like almost constant environmental and global turbulence, I've found myself craving and thankfully finding small moments of clarity, joy, and gratitude through the murkiness. One of those moments came at the Lucille Lortel and Drama Desk Awards, where Lights Out: Nat King Cole was nominated for Best Choreography. I had the joy of working as Jared Grimes' Assistant Choreographer on the tap dance for the production last season. Getting to attend these award shows as part of the creative team, and seeing our work recognized, ultimately taking home the Lucille Lortel Award for Best Choreography, was incredibly meaningful to me! Another moment came while watching my Artistry Dance Project students perform at their year-end recital. Witnessing my students’ growth, confidence, and hard work onstage is every bit as rewarding as taking the stage myself. This season has also reminded me that my artistic home and creative voice are much more expansive than my tap shoes. I spent several weeks in The Source NYC's Partnering Course, reconnecting with movement practices I don't often get to share publicly — spanning contemporary partnering, Lindy Hop, Ballroom, Jazz, and acro (watch some partnering here!). In June, I served as Rehearsal Director for Dance Lab NY's Rooted Jazz Lab, supporting the distinct creative processes of 3 brilliant choreographers: Sekou McMiller, Gaby Cook, and Chanon Judson. Each week I assisted these choreographers creatively, administratively, and learned so much from their creative incubation processes. I also had two very different opportunities to perform with The Why Collective: a last-minute solo set at their Speakeasy event (yes, singing and dancing!) and, more recently, a performance at the NYC Poetry Festival, where I interpreted Sydney Anderson's poetry through percussive dance alongside an ASL interpreter. As I write this, I'm on the beautiful shores of Northern Michigan on a 6-stop tour with Traverse City Dance Project and The Charlie Millard Band. We've been bringing live music, tap dance, ballet, and contemporary dance to communities across the region. It's been such a gift to perform in so many different ways—from my choreographed solo “Gold Dust At My Feet,” to a 40 minute multi-disciplinary collaboration “Cloud Land” choreographed by Jennifer Lott, to improvising live sets with the band. Every stop has been a slightly different set-up, program, and experience; and I've loved getting to collaborate as a musician, choreographer, and dancer all at once. I'm looking ahead to an exciting, if uncertain, fall: a season of personal creative projects and teaching, alongside a major opportunity I can't quite announce yet… I'll be joining the choreography team of a major feature film (pinch me!) More on that soon… This season has been busy, at times turbulent, but also deeply affirming. It's reminded me that I don't have to choose between being a choreographer, performer, teacher, collaborator, or lifelong student. There's room for all of it, even if it sometimes means spinning more plates than I'd like. Whether I always enjoy the juggling or not, I've gotten pretty good at it. And continuing to make, share, and experience art with others—whatever form that takes—still feels like the most hopeful thing I know how to do.
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