It is hard to believe that our final semester of school has begun. The past four years have been filled with hard work and preparation for our next chapter as professional artists and life post-graduation. Constant focus and dedication have resulted in so many valuable learning experiences. This journey has lead us up to our last stretch before graduation. Although this exciting accomplishment is finally in sight, there is still much work to be done!
After a productive winter break of auditions and travels, we have come back to begin rehearsals for Senior Production. The choreographers have the first two weeks of the semester to start workshopping ideas with their dancers. It is exciting to see the work of last semester begin to come alive. Along with creating new work in the studio, choreographers also begin to make plans for production elements such as costumes and lights. The two weeks lead up to a pause in rehearsals in which choreographers have time to think about the early steps of their process. During this break, we prepare for our Spring Repertory concert. March 23-26 the Juilliard Dance Ensemble will be performing works by Jiri Kylian, Jerome Robbins and Paul Taylor in the Peter Jay Sharp Theater. Upon completion of the Spring Dances Repertory, we resume rehearsals for Senior Production.
While creating the show, we continue to work together as a class to fundraise. We have been designing class T-shirts to sell, and will continue putting on bake sales and finding members of our community to donate products for the Senior Production reception. The fundraising that we have done this year has shown us what it takes to produce a show. This production prepares us for presenting our own work beyond school.
Once Senior Production is over, we focus our efforts on one final performance called Senior Dance Showcase, which serves as a culmination of the past four years of work and dedication. In this bittersweet farewell performance, each senior performs a solo or duet – we’ve been preparing nearly all year for these as well. The show concludes with a group bow where we, as the Class of 2016, will take the Peter Jay Sharp Theater stage for the last time.
Every semester has been filled with a variety of unique experiences that have been vital to our versatility as artists. The knowledge that we have collected over our time at Juilliard is like a toolbox. We will graduate with these tools to build the foundation of our futures. I have interviewed other dancers in the Class of 2016 about a significant experience from school. These are some lessons and moments that have shaped my classmates into who they are today.
Hope: “I have always wondered what it’s like to be close to a true artist, to have personal insight on a work. Last Friday, I experienced this so strongly as I witnessed the first showing of my fellow classmate’s works for OUR Senior Production. It was so beautiful to me to see a work and know that I was swimming in the thoughts of my colleagues. I could see the essence of them threaded through their works. I felt so proud to be connected on a new level of artistry.”
Tiare: “Our gaga teacher Bobbi Smith, often tells us to ‘connect to pleasure’. Although it’s usually in the context of dance, this thought has continued to resonate with me in and out of the studio. Through all the aches, soreness, injuries, bad, days, hardships, and stress, it becomes more and more important to find the pleasure in it all as it only make us stronger.”
Jesse: “Throughout all of my experiences at Juilliard, I’ve come to a deeper appreciation for myself, my dancing and my peers. I’ve learned the importance of being courageous in my choices and that every moment can be a learning experience. These will definitely continue to support my life even after Juilliard; they are embedded in me.”
Taylor: “I used to rely so much on dance for complete fulfillment and happiness. But using movement for every personal expression didn’t always satisfy me. During my time at Juilliard, I took a step back and was able to see clearly what things in life fill me to the brim with joy. I am now able to remove the pressure I used to put on dance, and am now able to move with a sense of freedom.”
During my time at Juilliard, a significant experience has been dancing with a group of wonderfully talented artists. I’ve learned the balance between staying true to one’s individuality while still learning from peers. After working with this tight-knit community for four years, it feels as though we function as a company. Our experiences at school will continue to help us grow in the future. I am excited to see how each person’s journey continues after this crossroad.
Written by: Dean Biosca
After a productive winter break of auditions and travels, we have come back to begin rehearsals for Senior Production. The choreographers have the first two weeks of the semester to start workshopping ideas with their dancers. It is exciting to see the work of last semester begin to come alive. Along with creating new work in the studio, choreographers also begin to make plans for production elements such as costumes and lights. The two weeks lead up to a pause in rehearsals in which choreographers have time to think about the early steps of their process. During this break, we prepare for our Spring Repertory concert. March 23-26 the Juilliard Dance Ensemble will be performing works by Jiri Kylian, Jerome Robbins and Paul Taylor in the Peter Jay Sharp Theater. Upon completion of the Spring Dances Repertory, we resume rehearsals for Senior Production.
While creating the show, we continue to work together as a class to fundraise. We have been designing class T-shirts to sell, and will continue putting on bake sales and finding members of our community to donate products for the Senior Production reception. The fundraising that we have done this year has shown us what it takes to produce a show. This production prepares us for presenting our own work beyond school.
Once Senior Production is over, we focus our efforts on one final performance called Senior Dance Showcase, which serves as a culmination of the past four years of work and dedication. In this bittersweet farewell performance, each senior performs a solo or duet – we’ve been preparing nearly all year for these as well. The show concludes with a group bow where we, as the Class of 2016, will take the Peter Jay Sharp Theater stage for the last time.
Every semester has been filled with a variety of unique experiences that have been vital to our versatility as artists. The knowledge that we have collected over our time at Juilliard is like a toolbox. We will graduate with these tools to build the foundation of our futures. I have interviewed other dancers in the Class of 2016 about a significant experience from school. These are some lessons and moments that have shaped my classmates into who they are today.
Hope: “I have always wondered what it’s like to be close to a true artist, to have personal insight on a work. Last Friday, I experienced this so strongly as I witnessed the first showing of my fellow classmate’s works for OUR Senior Production. It was so beautiful to me to see a work and know that I was swimming in the thoughts of my colleagues. I could see the essence of them threaded through their works. I felt so proud to be connected on a new level of artistry.”
Tiare: “Our gaga teacher Bobbi Smith, often tells us to ‘connect to pleasure’. Although it’s usually in the context of dance, this thought has continued to resonate with me in and out of the studio. Through all the aches, soreness, injuries, bad, days, hardships, and stress, it becomes more and more important to find the pleasure in it all as it only make us stronger.”
Jesse: “Throughout all of my experiences at Juilliard, I’ve come to a deeper appreciation for myself, my dancing and my peers. I’ve learned the importance of being courageous in my choices and that every moment can be a learning experience. These will definitely continue to support my life even after Juilliard; they are embedded in me.”
Taylor: “I used to rely so much on dance for complete fulfillment and happiness. But using movement for every personal expression didn’t always satisfy me. During my time at Juilliard, I took a step back and was able to see clearly what things in life fill me to the brim with joy. I am now able to remove the pressure I used to put on dance, and am now able to move with a sense of freedom.”
During my time at Juilliard, a significant experience has been dancing with a group of wonderfully talented artists. I’ve learned the balance between staying true to one’s individuality while still learning from peers. After working with this tight-knit community for four years, it feels as though we function as a company. Our experiences at school will continue to help us grow in the future. I am excited to see how each person’s journey continues after this crossroad.
Written by: Dean Biosca