20 • 16
/TWEN – tee/ /SIKS – teen/
noun
As a young person in the world, I have always grown up with idea that numbers should never be used as a means of identity. However, I could not be happier than to clothe myself with the number 2016; the date that symbolizes the pivotal moment my class and I will leave Juilliard, our home for the past 3 years, and carry all that we have learned into the world.
In going all the way back to August 23rd of 2012, the very first day our class was brought together, I can now see how far we have come together. Anyone can relate to the somewhat scary moment of meeting someone new for the first time, but meeting 22 new faces all at once was overwhelming to say the least for me. I cannot describe how easily we melded together, forming a real, but complex family. I could not wish away the mark of 2016 I will forever bare. All of these beautifully, whimsically, mature beings have taught me to open up and unlock my inner self because they have created such a nurturing environment.
Every class and year here at Juilliard can be defined as “different”. True. But for me, 2016 is special because it is our year. 2016 is a shared number that myself and the 22 other dancers in my graduating class. It proudly carries the weight of our shared pasts, memories, thoughts, fears, hopes and dreams. It is a number that could be so easily glossed over, but not for us, the body of 23 units that make it up. In this number, we have sewn together a youthful fabric of authentic artistry. Is every year capable of forming a timeless bond between 23 uniquely gifted individuals as strong as ours? Perhaps. All I know is that I am one lucky being who has be given the priceless chance to participate in the irreversible connection made between such beautiful artists as my classmates.
Classmates, this word conjures up all sorts of memories and meanings for people. I, however, view it as a label worthy of discarding. This word, classmates, describes only our functional relationship within the walls of Juilliard. It, for me, ices over the eternal bonds we have created, the family portrait we have sketched together, the iron bond of trust and support we have melded together. In this, we have built up a friendship uniquely remembered through four simple, perfect digits, 2 0 1 6.
No history book in the world can document the monumentality this year with forever resemble and remind us, the body of 2016. No class photograph can convey the sweet quench this number will forever provide me as I live on and think back on these magical days. That is why I am here to tell you that I am a truly blessed artist for having this opportunity to make the friendships of a lifetime. I am writing to attempt to let you see into our class and to personally thank these fellow artists for teaching me how important we all are in the grand scheme of life.
/TWEN – tee/ /SIKS – teen/
noun
- a unit of artists bonded together through their shared life experiences at The Juilliard School since August, 26 2012.
- a collection of individuals the has been identified with colors, textures, and elements including, but not limited to; metallic, pastel, grainy, chalky, mercury, water
- a family
- a unique group of dancers exuding absolute beauty through both their bodies and actions
- the expression of cohesion, strength, support, vibrancy, sensuality, maturity, complexity, focus, spice, whimsicality, and much more through a special bond of 23 irreplaceable artists dancing their hearts away in NYC
As a young person in the world, I have always grown up with idea that numbers should never be used as a means of identity. However, I could not be happier than to clothe myself with the number 2016; the date that symbolizes the pivotal moment my class and I will leave Juilliard, our home for the past 3 years, and carry all that we have learned into the world.
In going all the way back to August 23rd of 2012, the very first day our class was brought together, I can now see how far we have come together. Anyone can relate to the somewhat scary moment of meeting someone new for the first time, but meeting 22 new faces all at once was overwhelming to say the least for me. I cannot describe how easily we melded together, forming a real, but complex family. I could not wish away the mark of 2016 I will forever bare. All of these beautifully, whimsically, mature beings have taught me to open up and unlock my inner self because they have created such a nurturing environment.
Every class and year here at Juilliard can be defined as “different”. True. But for me, 2016 is special because it is our year. 2016 is a shared number that myself and the 22 other dancers in my graduating class. It proudly carries the weight of our shared pasts, memories, thoughts, fears, hopes and dreams. It is a number that could be so easily glossed over, but not for us, the body of 23 units that make it up. In this number, we have sewn together a youthful fabric of authentic artistry. Is every year capable of forming a timeless bond between 23 uniquely gifted individuals as strong as ours? Perhaps. All I know is that I am one lucky being who has be given the priceless chance to participate in the irreversible connection made between such beautiful artists as my classmates.
Classmates, this word conjures up all sorts of memories and meanings for people. I, however, view it as a label worthy of discarding. This word, classmates, describes only our functional relationship within the walls of Juilliard. It, for me, ices over the eternal bonds we have created, the family portrait we have sketched together, the iron bond of trust and support we have melded together. In this, we have built up a friendship uniquely remembered through four simple, perfect digits, 2 0 1 6.
No history book in the world can document the monumentality this year with forever resemble and remind us, the body of 2016. No class photograph can convey the sweet quench this number will forever provide me as I live on and think back on these magical days. That is why I am here to tell you that I am a truly blessed artist for having this opportunity to make the friendships of a lifetime. I am writing to attempt to let you see into our class and to personally thank these fellow artists for teaching me how important we all are in the grand scheme of life.
Written by: Hope Dougherty