Final Reflections on Embodied Performance

 

 1

 Breaking the Initial Resistance

 Enzo Bernardes Cypriani Oliveira

I am taking away much from this course. Firstly, I've become aware of how my body is an essential part of what I do as an artist and how it needs attention. Exploring different aspects of my body and movement in some exploratory, focused way, can be highly beneficial and contribute to my artistic expression greatly. The body needs to be "tuned" with stretching, strengthening, and moving in ways that add to the artistic expression instead of hindering it. I got better on how to create that awareness through the various exercises during the course, including not only movement but also integrating the breath, mind and even voice. Personally, it was a challenge for me to be vulnerable in performing these movements and breaking the initial resistance to some of the activities, but my take-away is that under the right circumstances this is essential for me to develop areas that I am still struggling to be open with. This can also be useful for me as an artist and contribute to my overall well-being and self-esteem. 

 

Although I've felt stressed out in a few particular situations, and couldn't participate in the habanera class, for example. I also had moments in which I felt comfortable. I've tried my best to be active in the class and earnestly try and experiment in all of the activities, which I did, and that was rewarding. I felt that I left class and proceeded to the rest of my day every Tuesday and Thursday morning with a renewed sensation. I still have a barrier towards dance, and It's very difficult for me to envision myself participating in dance activities anytime in the near future, but having taken the class definitely exercised my inhibition and made me potentially less self-conscious and worried when the time comes for me to try something dance-related again. I really appreciated the philosophic framing of the class. I found myself agreeing with the professor's challenges to us and our artistic vision and ambitions, as well as how things are set up in the "business" side of things. I agree that we should seek and explore our self-identity and all of our potential, and using the body and movement can be a powerful way to achieve that. 

 

In conclusion, for my music I will take the body awareness, the posture on stage, the commitment to my message and how my body is helping transmit it, the mental and bodily focus, how my eyes help with communication, and feeling more comfortable to be vulnerable in public. In my life I will take the concept of flow, the stretches and relaxation techniques, the interest in exploring my body and movement in ways I've never did before, how my movement can be expressive in many ways, the commitment to my inner voice as an artist despite the outside pressure, the knowledge of different concepts and traditions of dance and movement, etc. 

 

2

 

 A Dynamic Part of my Communication and Leadership Style

 

 Phillip Russomanno

When I first started this course, I was uncertain about how movement could apply to my career in finance. Wall Street is a world of sharp suits, hard numbers, and intense negotiations, on the surface, an environment as far from dance as one can imagine. Initially, I wondered if this class would ultimately be more of a personal experience than something that could inform my professional life. Movement, rhythm, flow, these seemed like concepts better suited to creative or physical industries, not the fast-paced, high-stakes world of finance. I approached the class with curiosity, hoping to gain some new perspectives, but not entirely convinced I could use the principles in my field.

 

Ironically, it was my injury that transformed my understanding of what movement could mean beyond physical. Being forced to observe rather than participate allowed me to see dance in a different light, revealing movement as something that could impact mental and emotional presence as well. I saw how focus, energy, and flow were not only vital to dance but could be channeled into any setting. Each time I watched my classmates perform; I witnessed the power of intention behind every gesture. This observation shifted my perception, showing me that while I might not be using literal dance moves in my career, I could apply these principles of presence and expressiveness to my role on Wall Street. The injury became an unexpected gateway to understanding movement’s relevance in non-physical ways.

 

Through the setbacks, I also learned about resilience and adaptability, qualities essential for both dancers and professionals in high-pressure fields. Dance requires a sensitivity to timing, an awareness of balance, and an ability to stay centered even when things don’t go as planned. These are qualities that align perfectly with the demands of finance, where each decision has weight, and timing can make or break an outcome. This realization was eye-opening; what I initially saw as a barrier between dance and finance turned out to be a bridge. By practicing mental focus and embracing the flow of each moment, I found that I could bring a more centered, grounded approach to the world of finance, one that allowed me to be present and intentional in ways I hadn’t considered before.

 

This course and my journey through it have been transformative. Embodied movement practices have taught me that movement isn’t limited to physical expression, it’s a tool for enhancing presence, creativity, and resilience. In my future career, I will carry forward this new understanding of movement as a dynamic part of my communication and leadership style. As I transition from student to professional, I now see that what I learned here is not just about dance but about how to embody confidence, manage energy, and project a steady, engaged presence. This experience has expanded my understanding of movement and shown me that the skills we practice in one area of life can bring unexpected strength and depth to another.

 

As I am preparing to step into my career, facing Fortune 500 CEOs across the boardroom table, I carry with me a new understanding of what it means to be fully present. Embodied movement has taught me that success isn’t just about the words we choose or the strategies we execute about how we communicate through our entire being. Sitting across from top executives, I can bring a grounded, focused presence that goes beyond professional polish, an awareness of my posture, my breath, and even the subtle cues that can convey confidence, openness, or strength. These insights, shaped through embodied movement practices, allow me to project a calm yet powerful presence, to listen with intention, and to respond with clarity, all of which can transform even the most high-stakes interactions.

Jorge’s guidance and the shared journey with my peers in this course have shown me that movement is a powerful, often overlooked aspect of effective leadership. 

 

Whether it’s drawing on the stability of bound flow, the openness of free flow, or the expressive potential of intentional focus, I now understand that movement can inform the way I lead, negotiate, and collaborate. My experience in this class has broadened my vision of what it means to be a businessman. This knowledge, gained in the dance studio, will be invaluable as I work to make an impact in the financial world. Thanks to embodied movement, I am ready to bring a new level of awareness, presence, and authenticity to every space I enter, prepared to lead with both head and heart. All in all, the journey of life is not a straight path, but the experiences in moments of darkness are what makes life truly beautiful. This experience has provided me with a proof of concept of this saying and I cannot be any more thankful for the opportunity to share it with this wonderful group of individuals. 

 

 

3

 

Tools to Find the Unique Movement Within Myself 

 

Nicole Mangione

I experienced two big takeaways during this class. First, I learned more about the importance of caring for your body mentally and physically. Humans are not meant to be sitting creatures in front of computers all day. Although many jobs are in an office from 9 to 5 pm, it is essential to prioritize movement. This movement can be a workout and/or a stretching routine. The great thing about being a music therapist is that I will always be on my feet. Therefore, it will be important for me to stretch daily. I have learned that I enjoy working out and stretching in the morning because I feel more alive, calm, and free before I start my day. The next biggest takeaway was that dance is more than the technique or choreography I learned when I was younger. I am a well-trained dancer, but I was never taught how to find movements that are unique and special to me. This class provided me with the tools to find the unique movement within myself.

I enjoyed the learning process! The tools you taught us in this class were foreign to me, and it constantly had me questioning how my dance teachers had taught me to dance. I am grateful that I have learned the technique, but during class, I wished I had stumbled upon a teacher who could have provided me with the tools we learned in this class sooner. The learning process also made me feel free. For the first time, I felt like I could improv without fear that what I was doing looked stupid. I felt this way because the classroom was always filled with positive and welcoming energy, and the tools you provided the class gave me structure and confidence.

First, I would continue to stretch every day. If I don't have time to exercise, I will stretch. I will also carry that feeling of positive and welcoming energy into the ballet class with me. The more I create this environment for myself, the more I can put myself out there as a dancer and make mistakes to continue to grow and learn. As for my music therapy career, I will continue incorporating movement into my sessions. I use movement exercises with my adolescent groups to warm up their bodies. However, I think using movement would also be a great way for them to express their feelings before we move on to any type of therapeutic singing or psychosocial exercise. Using instruments or movements for emotional expression can be a great way to ease patients into expressing their feelings verbally.

 

4 

 

  The Value of Being Present

 

Yu Hsuan Chou

One of the key takeaways for me was the importance of body awareness and how movement can express emotion. I learned that dance is not just about technical precision but also about connecting with the music and the space around you. The way the body moves, shifts, and flows can convey a story or a feeling, much like how a musician interprets a piece through their instrument. It was fascinating to see how I can transform a simple movement into something powerful and meaningful. This understanding of movement has deepened my appreciation for both the art of dance and the art of music.

During the learning process, I felt like a mix of excitement and challenge. At first, it was difficult to coordinate my body in new ways, but there was also a sense of accomplishment when I began to feel more confident in my body. I found that, much like learning an instrument, dance required patience, creativity and perseverance. As I continued, I became more creative of the movements, which allowed me to experience the flow of the class more fully.

The skills and lessons I gained from this class are directly applicable to my work as a cellist. Both dance and music share a focus on expression, rhythm, and coordination, so understanding the fluidity of movement and how the body interacts with music helps me in my own performance. Additionally, dance taught me the value of being present and connecting with the music on a deeper level, which will enhance my musical interpretation and performance. Beyond music, the discipline and mindfulness learned through dance can be applied to other areas of life, helping me to approach challenges with a more holistic and focused mindset.

 

5

A New Perspective on Musical Expression

Seongwoo Jeong  

This experience was very informative for me. Although dance and music are not directly related, I learned that they have a lot in common. I found that they have something in common in that they require multiple rehearsals for performances, and through this process, they refine their skills and learn various movements. By learning various dance techniques, I was able to learn more specifically about the various ways I want to express myself, and through this process, I was able to further develop myself.

It wasn’t easy at first. However, after each class, I was amazed and happy to see myself improving. At first, even stretching was difficult, but as time passed, my body gained balance and energy, and as a result, my dancing skills improved noticeably. This class was not just a fun dance class, but an important time to balance my mind and body.

I am a student majoring in viola in classical music. In class, I learned various movements and dances from various countries, but among them, breathing and internal centering were especially important. This helped me a lot in controlling the tension onstage and the rapid breathing when performing. Also, through the various movements of techniques learned in class, I realized that what I wanted to express was similar in musical terms. This helped me to study and help my major more deeply, and I was able to gain a new perspective on musical expression.

 

6

 

A Significant Step in My Personal Growth

 

Yaxin Liu

One of the most effective things I learned in this class is the importance of stretching. At the beginning of this semester, I experienced severe muscle strain in my lower back due to long hours spent sitting at my computer without proper stretching or exercise. Bending down was very painful, and the discomfort lasted until November before I started feeling some relief. During this time, I believe daily stretching helped me greatly. I incorporated the stretches and slow movements we learned in class, and they were very helpful in easing my back pain. It was a great reminder of how important it is to take care of my body and make stretching a part of my daily routine.

In the embodied movement class, I gradually overcame some of my stage fright. I have always preferred working behind the scenes and have never been comfortable performing on stage. The thought of performing would make me extremely nervous, and sometimes I would blank out when I was on stage. However, this semester's course helped me reduce some of that fear. While I may not have fully immersed myself in my performance, by the last class presentation, I was able to manage some of my anxiety. Overcoming this fear was challenging, but it felt like a significant step in my personal growth.

I plan to continue stretching every day, ensuring that I balance work and rest to keep my body in good shape. I have learned that stretching is not only important for physical well-being but also as a way to manage stress. Beyond the assignments, I hope to feel more relaxed and confident in situations where I need to present or perform in front of others. This class has taught me to embrace moments of vulnerability and to find strength in my body, which I will carry forward in both my studies and my everyday life.

7

 

 A Sense of Accomplishment

 

 Jiaqi Yu

 

In this dance class, I gained a deeper understanding of how to connect my mental and physical expression. For instance, the final project required us to create a personal Hero’s Journey, incorporating everything we had learned in class, including speech. This exercise allowed me to reflect on my past years, using my experiences to enhance my physical expression. Learning how to control and move my body has broadened my perspective, not only in dance but in everyday life. Additionally, the course highlighted the limitations and possibilities of various techniques, which I found particularly valuable. Overall, the insights gained have helped me understand myself better and become a more confident person.

The learning process was a mix of excitement, curiosity, and occasional challenges. At times, diving into complex ideas, like dancing in front of an audience, felt overwhelming. However, with persistence and the support of my professor and classmates, I grew more confident. Engaging in discussions was especially enjoyable, as it allowed me to connect theory to practice and track my growth. Looking back on this journey, I feel a sense of accomplishment—both academically and personally.

This class has inspired me to apply my knowledge in practical and meaningful ways. For example, working with a group on our dance performance helped me develop stronger connections with my partners, and we are all proud of how our work turned out. Additionally, understanding how the body works has benefited my violin performance. After dealing with a shoulder injury for over ten years, I’ve noticed a significant reduction in pain since starting the dance class. This course has not only provided me with valuable knowledge but also encouraged me to think critically and act purposefully in my daily life.

 

8

 Another Version of Myself

 

Naeun Ju

     If I were to summarize this class as a whole, it taught me how to break free from myself. Coming to Miami, a new city, and adapting to my first semester, I developed an unknown fear. It’s quite surprising that, despite not enjoying the spotlight, I ended up in a profession that requires me to be on stage. On stage, however, I strangely don’t feel fear. The real challenge for me comes offstage, where I struggle with people’s gazes—their eyes. The social interactions within them often drain me, and I didn’t want to meet or make new friends.

     Throughout this course, I faced many challenges. At times, I had to respond to people’s movements; there were team plays that required communication and collaboration. When we danced together in the mornings or when there was physical contact, I just wanted to give up. However, thanks to the professor’s guidance, I gradually became more comfortable. During important performances, I often found myself retreating into a cave of loneliness, driven by various pressures and a desire for recognition. But I began to learn that movements themselves do not judge me, and within those movements, I could generate energy. No matter how much I enjoy being alone and have a shy personality, I’ve come to realize that we cannot live alone. Relationships, even though they are difficult for me, are essential, and every unfamiliar thing in this new city will eventually lead me in a better direction. In the dance class, I learned to accept myself as I am, to trust my body to follow the flow, and to lead my movements in harmony with different techniques and music. This was incredibly helpful. What I had long disliked—practice—started to become enjoyable. I’ve come to understand that the violin is truly what I want.

     This class helped me realize that I have a pressure to seek recognition. I didn’t want to admit that, but through the support the professor provided, I began to accept it. What stood out most was when the professor attended my most stressful orchestra performance. The professor never made me feel burdened and believed in me, patiently waiting for me to do my best. The warmth I felt from the professor in every class helped me rise up. I want to become someone like that. The reason I dream of becoming a professor is because I’ve received so much encouragement and love without expecting anything in return, and I want to share that with others. What I’ve learned, the music that has always been there for me in tough times, and ultimately, how to live my life and perform using this body—I want to pass that on. I imagine myself one day sharing the stretches I learned in dance class with my students, remembering the warmth and support I received from my professor, and surely passing that on. For that day, I am stretching joyfully to samba music, listening to my body, practicing with joy, and writing. Today, I awaken another version of myself for the new me.

 

9

 My Newfound Confidence

 Alexandra Cirile

My main takeaway from this class is probably that I am not as bad of a dancer as I thought I was! Learning to implement "inside-out" dancing was a life-changing experience for me. Instead of trying to fit myself into a box created by outside influences, I had the chance to explore what dance came out of me with no artificial constraints imposed. I was reading an article recently about how "professional" musicians and dancers are an invention of modern society; only a few thousand years ago, every single human was both a dancer and a musician, since dance and music were activities meant to be performed together as a community, not something to sit and watch someone else do. This completely changed my perspective of what it means to be a dancer. I've always felt that to be really successful at something, you have to study it extensively, and while I can say I have studied dance now, I've also experienced what it feels like to dance with no pressure to conform or to be aesthetically pleasing to others. I'm grateful to have experienced dance as a group bonding activity, not just as a performance to be observed.

My feelings throughout the learning process were overall difficult. I am the sort of person who hates to perform in front of others without hours of preparation, which is why classical music is the perfect fit for me. I would be terrified to have to solo and make up music on the spot. In class, I was definitely challenged to dance in front of others without hours to prepare. I have never been confident in my dance ability to begin with, so there were absolutely some anxiety-inducing moments where I was worried what others would think of me. I appreciated that it was clear I never had to do anything that made me uncomfortable, but it was important to me to get out of my comfort zone and get everything I could out of the class. By the end of the semester, I was really glad I had challenged myself because I realized that no one was actually judging me for my dance ability. Everyone was too concerned with their own dancing to worry about what I was doing! Experiencing this class absolutely built my confidence over time, and my nervousness was still there at the end, but it was no longer getting in the way of me expressing myself through movement.

I am going to apply my experiences from this class to my life in several ways. First of all, I think that learning to quickly pick up choreography will be very helpful when I'm in a stage production. Being able to come up with my own movement will also help me to define my characters as an actor, without relying on a director to micromanage me. I think my newfound confidence in my movement will also give me a more powerful stage presence. I also plan to incorporate our daily warmup into my morning routine. I always felt like my body was much less tense after warming up and it set me up really well for the rest of my day. Since I already warm up my voice every day, it's not difficult at all to add an extra ten minutes of stretching to warm up my body as well. Overall, I think my confidence in myself and in my body's abilities has increased, and that will translate into the practice room and on the stage.

 

 10

 My Journey to Become the Most Authentic Performer

Emily Auten Cross

 

The three main personal take-aways from this course includes: the importance of physical health and mobility as a performer, the understanding of spatial elements in relation to bodily expression, and the performative effect of focus and intentional movement. The importance of physical health and mobility as a performer was a topic discussed during the first week of this course. It has reignited my desire to implement a stretch or walk into my daily routine. I have felt the most mental focus and physical energy on the days that I take the time to stretch and this course has inspired me to make choices that will benefit my health and in turn, benefit my art. The second main take-away has been the understanding of spatial elements in relation to bodily expression, specifically in the use of levels, direction, and flow. Without these elements,one’s creative movements would be flat and single noted. These elements help shape the foundation of bodily expression. Becoming comfortable with incorporating the use of space, levels, and directions will allow me to be a more well-rounded and versatile performer. Finally, the third take-away has been the performative effect of focus and intentional movement. Where a performer’s focus manifests shows a lot about the inner workings of their expression and intention. Movement without intention will never be successful and will cause a performance to lose it’s meaning. Focus and intention are the aspects that turn an amateur into a true artist.

During the learning process of this class, I found myself having fun in the artistic journey. Many times in this class, we were given tasks that involved using our bodies in a way that we normally wouldn’t. Finding joy in the feelings of discomfort and translating this feeling to one of “play” was such an important part of this class. I love tuning into my inner child and letting her play like she used to. This class, while teaching important and serious topics to grow as an artist, also taught me to broaden my concept of discomfort and vulnerability. There were moments in the learning process that I had doubts and second guessed some of my artistic choices. Professor Morejon, as if reading my mind,would always validate any feelings of doubt and push us to trust the process. Once the aspects of focus, intention, flow, direction, and space were given back to the movement,the true expression would replace these mental obstacles.

All three main take-aways listed above are concepts that translate to being a vocalist.Physical wellness and maintaining a daily movement routine is something I will continue to apply in my life. This will support me in my journey to become the most authentic performer I can be. Use of focus, breath, levels, direction, space, and flowing energy is crucial for any physical artist to implement into their practice. Without energy in one’s movement, whether that be slow, fluid, sharp, quite, high or low, a performer won’t have a support system to succeed in convincing movement. Connection to one’s body in singing is just as important as it is in dance. Advanced vocal technique demands a kinesthetic understand of how the body works in order to produce sound. When I am playing a character or blocking a scene, having a larger understanding of the range of bodily motion will eliminate barriers and provide diverse intuition of movement for ultimate expression. I am excited to carry the lessons that I have learned in this course with me throughout my continued artistic journey. Thank you

 

11

 The Beauty of Being a Human Being.

 

Arianna Charran 

Although I was hesitant to enroll in dance, this class introduced me to new concepts and taught me a lot about myself. I learned the importance of taking care of my body with daily stretches. Furthermore, this class broke all self-conscious barriers and allowed me to let go. I embraced my inner child again as I was able to be silly sometimes, and laughed at my mistakes instead of being so hard on myself. It taught me to be openly vulnerable and to not be afraid of imperfection. This is the beauty of being a human being. 

During the learning process, I experienced a variety of emotions. For the first class, I remember feeling very nervous as we began moving around the room with different levels and directions. This introductory exercise already felt outside of my comfort zone and I was afraid of what would come next. However, along the way, I met an incredible group of people and bonded with them. As these friendships formed, I felt less intimidated and learned from watching their own creations in class. This encouraged me to fight all mental obstacles that often paralyzed my body. Anxiety suddenly turned into joy as I laughed with my classmates. As a result, I was able to create larger movements and break out of my shell. 

The concepts I learned in dance can be applied to my own field as a music performance major. Stretching everyday helped my body feel so much better this semester and I will keep using the stretches we learned to keep my body healthy. This class also introduced me to choreography and helped me feel more comfortable with moving my body. I can apply this process to music by “choreographing” movements or facial expressions that help convey the story of each piece I perform. Combining this element of expression with vulnerability will help me produce more heartfelt performances in the future, transforming me into an artist.

 

12

 

Preserving my Mobility and Flexibility

 

Payton McKinnis

Taking this course in Embodied Movement opened my eyes to the theory and philosophy of dance. I had taken dance classes previously, but I had never consciously considered different aspects of movement such and weight, force, direction, etc. Learning about these different aspects of dance reminded me of how artists meticulously manipulate perspective, proportion, color, shading, etc., and I came to realize how meticulous and purposeful dance can be in this way. In addition to this, I like learning about different "genres" of movement, like the Spanish country dancing and the yoga; I felt that it broadened all of our perspectives and it gave me new physical vocabulary to utilize for personal purposes and for performance.

For a large portion of the course, while I was eager to participate and try everything that we were doing in class, there was also a part of me that was holding back, a part of me that was afraid of looking foolish, or of being compared to my more experienced classmates, or of catching a glance of myself in the mirror that I found unflattering. However, about midway through the semester, I would read through the reflections of my classmates and came to the realization that we all can be self-conscious, and that we are all just trying our best to push ourselves out of our comfort zones. This brought me a lot of peace of mind, and I began to experiment more freely, and gain confidence in myself and my abilities. I would feel a great sense of self-accomplishment whenever I would challenge myself and perform something new, even if only semi-successfully. I had fun the whole semester, but my enjoyment heightened once I had these realizations and reinforcement.

Being connected with and having command over my body is very vital to me as a performer, so I intend to take the principles that we learned about in class and apply them to my preparation and to my performance. Also, mentally, I found it very beneficial to challenge myself to perform in a way that I am not used to; it was good to remember how to navigate discomfort, and made me feel more comfortable in comparison to when I would sing in performances. Personally, I want to age into health and take the steps that I can now in order to do so, so I will be continuing the extra daily practices with the goal of preserving my mobility and flexibility for my whole life. 

Thank you so much Professor Morejon!

13

 

 Complete Commitment

 

Caitlin Turner

This course was very interesting to be a part of. When I had spoken to my peers who had taken the class previously, I was curious as to how it would give me and my friends a new perspective on how movement affects our performance. As someone who try’s to be very physically in touch with my movement during performance, and who has worked as a choreographer in the past. I find movement essential to a proper portrayal of character and stage presence. Nothing is more boring to me than a stiff performer. They can have the best voice in the world, but if they cannot be honest with their body language or if they remain guarded, what story are they able to fully tell with their movement. I think this class was able to give me even more perspective as to how movement affects our hearts and in turn our physical being and artistic portrayal.

During the learning process, it was interesting to see how my classmates interpreted different concepts. At times, I felt like my vision of a certain assignment was very clear, but seeing my peers be free and expressive with their movement in a different way was very helpful. It also shows a lot about who we are as people. In the class it was interesting to see how much of themselves each person was willing to give up when they were asked to perform for the group. I have been dancing for a lot of my life, and been a dancer in operas or theater shows. So seeing what is some people’s first experiences with dance was amazing to witness. It really gets you in touch with a different part of yourself.

I feel like I can apply it in a lot of ways. Especially in classes like the vocal class, where we were forced to combine our voices with our movement. It was a lesson in not being afraid, and in being free and how that will make us a better performer. A true stage actor needs complete commitment. You may not be the best singer, the best dancer, or the best actor. But, if you let yourself be free and try to lose your inhibitions, things like fear or stage fright will not be a match for the confidence you will create in yourself. I think this has helped prepare me for some embarrassing and personal moments that happen during performance. But that make it beautiful and real as well.

 

14

 

 A New Dimension to My Performances

 

Xiaotong Wang

As a piano performance student, studying Embodied Movement Practices in the Performing Arts has transformed my understanding of how my body impacts my music performance. This course taught me that flexibility, coordination, and proper breathing are not just secondary concerns—they directly influence my playing. In class, I learned practical methods to protect myself from injuries and discovered how incorporating physical movement can enhance my ability to express emotions and musical ideas more effectively.

This course helped me realize that taking care of my body is key to improving my performance. For example, learning proper posture and body alignment has relieved the tension in my shoulders and neck that I often experienced during long practice sessions. Now, even after extended practice hours, I feel less fatigued. The breathing and mindfulness exercises taught me how to calm myself quickly before rehearsals or performances, turning nervousness into focus. Simple arm and back stretches introduced in class have become part of my daily routine, making me feel more relaxed and in control while playing. Moreover, understanding how movement can convey emotion has added a new dimension to my performances, helping me connect with my audience on a deeper level.

At first, the course was challenging for me. I wasn’t used to using physical movement to express emotions, and the improvisational movement exercises felt awkward and unfamiliar. However, as I continued practicing with an open mind, I gradually let go of my hesitation and began to explore the potential of my body. I noticed small but encouraging improvements—my shoulders felt looser, my back less tense, and my overall posture more stable. These changes were empowering because they directly enhanced my ability to play the piano with greater ease and expression. I started to see my body as an integral part of my music-making process, rather than just a tool for technical execution.

The practical skills I gained from this course have already become part of my daily routine. For instance, I constantly remind myself to stay relaxed while practicing, paying attention to

 

15

To be Loose Everyday

 

Cipriano Valdez-Bell

The biggest takeaways I have in this class is that it's never a bad thing to be mobile. As a big guy, I am a bit stiffer than others, so stretching before we began really helped me. We are all works in progress in our professions, so we can't expect to be perfect every time we learn something new. This really helped me not to be so embarrassed at what I did in class as everyone was also learning as we went along. A sense of community was also incredibly helpful in this class, as we all had people to laugh with and grow with.

During the learning process, I was nervous in the beginning. I was afraid that I would do something "wrong" and mess everything up for myself and everyone else. However, as time went on, I learned that most people in the class were new to this as well. This gave me great reassurance in my learning. With my ensemble, everyone was new at this, and our eagerness to learn, as well as our love for "Avatar: The Last Airbender," helped us to gel together and become friends quickly. Even after one of our members was injured, we found a way to keep moving whilst he supported us from the sidelines. This gave us all a great sense of comfort to know we were still closely knit, and felt we could take on anything. As the class went on, I felt like I could do anything and perform any task in this class.

As for real-life applications from this class, I still do our warm-up stretches frequently: especially upon waking up. These stretches help me to be loose everyday, and flexible when I have to be in awkward positions. This is evident with my instrument, as playing the viola is not always ergonomically correct. This class has also taught me that it's okay to move with my instrument. It is definitely a lot better than being a stoic player. People tend to love movement, although I work on my sound first before I incorporate movement.

16

Why and How We Move

Nina Lee

Condensing all of the lessons learned in this class into one paragraph would not do justice to the entirety of the class. However, my key takeaways can be summarized in three major but interrelated points: the elemental breakdown of movement, the inside-out dancer, and the importance of embodiment. Before this class, I did not consider the different elements of dance (place, size, quick/slow, directions, flow, force, focus, etc.) and how they are components that many dance and movement forms share across cultures and styles. Perhaps this is why practicing and mastering one form will benefit your technique in another. As they say, the best dancers are those who know many dances. By focusing on these core elements, we can understand why and how we move and appreciate the nuances of expression. Of course, this expression must derive from an internal place rather than an external mold, expectation, or role.

As a dancer or performer, it is so critical we come from an internal place when we perform, rather than doing what is simply expected of us. After all, what is expected can be flattening at best and demeaning, degrading, constricting, or erasing at worst. Who are we and what are the truths of our existence? These are questions we must ask when coming from the inside. Through movement, we can explore these questions in profound and powerful ways. After all, all parts of our existence are connected. We may consider the mind, body, heart, and spirit as separated, but in reality, these all compose one embodied being. For instance, when something traumatic occurs, that trauma does not just live in your mind; your body also remembers it and does actions to protect you from reliving that trauma. This is how embodiment and embodied movement is so powerful, because we get to explore these experiences from a place of reflection, healing, and connection.

It was amazing how much material we got through in a single semester. Because of the tight schedule, I felt that the process flew by very quickly, especially given the intensity of some of the feelings and experiences we were exploring. In the beginning, I had to reel in my head strong tendency to do my own thing and humble myself to the process. One thing I have been learning this year is that we must trust the process; we cannot rush or force our way through growth nor doubt ourselves and our abilities as we continue our journeys. This course reinforced this lesson for me and reminded me how the process itself can often be the most rewarding part.

While I enjoyed performing at the end of class, I enjoyed the practice, reflections, and realizations during the process itself more. In this goal-oriented and individualistic culture, I feel there is so much emphasis on the end result, the goal, or the completion of things. While I think it is wonderful to have a goal, I don’t want to get caught up in the end result and forget to respect the process. Through this class, I learned that perhaps respecting the process with all its trials and triumphs, frustrations and fun times is the key to remaining grounded no matter the conclusion.

Being vulnerable and honest with myself and my classmates was a challenge as it revealed a kaleidoscope of emotions of all kinds, some of which are not necessarily easily accessible or digestible. Fear, shame, anger, pain, joy, strength, and calm were all shades of feelings I accessed during the process. And having seen the process through to completion with their embodiment in my solo performance, I got to radically accept all of them and learn to show myself more compassion. In respecting the process, I learned to better respect myself.

We will all one day arrive to that final place. However, unlike a performance, we do not know when we will be taken there. So how can I respect and honor the process now? What places and emotions within myself am I connecting to, witnessing, and embodying? How can I accept the mélange of emotions within me and lead from an internal place that is true to me? These are questions I want to be mindful of as I continue. Furthermore, these are some lessons that I will carry with me:

Respect: It is important to respect yours and others’ time, energy, boundaries, emotions and experiences. By respecting, for example, the designated time of a class and locking in to whatever lesson is being taught, we can create a better environment that is more patient, focused, and present.

Vulnerability: Vulnerability is super important to connection. People are different, and at the same time we all share these profound and powerful emotions that connect us. Without being vulnerable, we cannot hope to connect to ourselves or to others in any meaningful way. As artists, we cannot hope to embody something that every person in the audience has felt.

 

The most personal is the most universal: It’s like Carl Rogers said. In being so vulnerable, we may think we are revealing some specific weakness, but in reality the most personal things we have experienced are the most universal things that we share. Remembering this, we can have the courage to be honest and open.

There are no inconsequential things: Details matter. For example, how you stand and walk, stretching your toes, how you greet someone, how you treat them all matter. And in paying attention to the things that may be considered small, we can discover the importance of all things.

Move with intention: Every decision we make as an artist or a person has a meaning. Why decide to sing this role this way or move that way? What does this outfit signal? Why title this performance this way? Understanding why we do something and being cognizant of our motivations is critical to making decisions. Whether we realize those motivations or not depends on our intentionality and awareness, which is why self-awareness, exploration, and expression are so important.

Inside-out dancer: Perhaps the biggest lesson I’m taking away from this class is being an inside-out dancer. Instead of focusing on how something is supposed to be, I have the power and because as humans we seek beauty for its truth. Without truth, there is no beauty.

 

17

My Body is My Own Instrument

 

Angela Ramirez

I have really enjoyed this class over this semester. I have learned a lot about myself, my tendencies, strengths, weaknesses, and untouched potential. The main takeaway I gained was that my realm of self-expression has no boundaries and that I shouldn't feel limited by anything, whether physical or figurative, that prevents me from expressing what is deep down in my soul. I learned that my body is my own instrument, and I have full control of what I want to explore with it.

The learning process was not always smooth-sailing for me, as I have pretty much no experience in dance. At first, and up till now, coordination between different muscles in my body has always been something that I struggle with, even with violin. It has always been difficult for me to isolate one movement/arm/direction/melody from a full work/piece, but it is something I continue to work on. When it came to isolating certain movements/levels/directions in dance, I always had to take things a step back and slow down in order for my body and mind to synchronize what movements I planned. This always helped me remember routines later though, especially for our solo and ensemble performances, because it was easier for me to remember how I learned something instead of just trying to connect a bunch of different pieces together.

Everything I learned in this class has helped me feel more free and confident in my musical performances overall. The class has also reminded me that it is OK to simply let things flow as they are, and to not force anything but rather just let things occur naturally, which applies to both music and life in general. With tension, there is always release. Movements I learned in this class have made me feel more flexible overall, and have made me less prone to injury/overworking muscles when having to sit and perform for long periods of time. I feel that my stamina has also increased and I do not get as tired as easily, and that I use the adrenaline I gained from warming up into giving a performance with the utmost focus and expression.

 

18

 Taking Charge of the Expressive/intensive Qualities 

Wesley Roy

I have really enjoyed taking this class this semester. I have been fortunate to have been involved in many different art forms since I was a child, but I always felt dance was the one I missed, and may have been good at. Regardless, I've noticed that lately I have become more closed off, more reticent to express myself externally, and the regular exploration of movement as expression really helped me to open up physically, mentally, and emotionally. I really like the idea of the "inside out dancer" and how the movement is the primary means of expression - this made me think of the different art forms (e.g. visual, music, dance, etc.), and how each one works toward the same goal but places a different medium as the primary means of communication. I found it difficult to avoid facial expression while moving, but this also forced me to really think about how the movement of my body is doing the emoting.

 

I really appreciated the structure of the learning process. Each class was a different idea that all worked toward the same goal. It was very interesting to explore so many different styles of movement/expression, and gave us a wonderful vocabulary from which to choose for our own compositions. There were moments when I was nervous or felt self-conscious, but the class was such an open, positive environment that I was reminded we were all in there to try things out together, everyone was in the same boat, and no one was ever judging anyone else. I also really appreciated when we were able to share our movements with each other: it was remarkable how different people's movements were, yet still so expressive. This is very similar to teaching conducting: I try to make sure my students are using their own natural movement as the basis of expression. This approach has resulted in each one having a unique way of conducting, but all still expressive and clear in showing their musical intentions through movement.

 

The topics we covered have a direct correlation to my career/field of study. As a conductor, I express music through movement. Many of the concepts we talked about in class are those that we talk about in conducting (e.g. Laban effort elements - I actually taught a lesson about this as part of my recent job interview, and it was very successful). As a conductor, I have often felt like I am following the music, and while there is of course an important element of showing what the sheet music dictates, this class has made me confront my own shortcomings in taking charge of the expressive/intensive qualities of the music and using my movement to show what I want - i.e. leading the music rather than following. Outside of my career, our regular movement practice has reminded me of how much I enjoy dance. My friends have been trying to get me to go with them to a contra dance retreat, and while nervous, this class has reminded me how much fun I have with these different styles of dance, so I am going to go.

 

19

Able to Feel Comfortable Moving in My Body

Demi Viavattine

I am truly grateful for the opportunity to take this class this semester. I  was originally intrigued because I do sometimes suffer from pain after a long day of performing, practicing, and rehearsing. I will miss our long days of stretching together each Tuesday and Thursday next semester. I am going to leave this class with a few different key concepts. First, I would like to draw attention to how much my own level of security in myself skyrocketed. My first day of class I am able to remember how nervous I was that I wasn’t going to be the best. I knew that this class would challenge me as I have no prior experience in dance or movement. By the end of the semester I was able to feel comfortable moving in my body in front of others, but also in front of myself. It is true, we are our own worst critics. Secondly, I will be taking away how impactful stretching is before starting my day. I was able to notice a difference in how my body felt at the end of a long day if it was a dance class day or not. I was significantly more tense and had more neck and shoulder pain on days without stretching, where I was just moving around all day tense.

 

The learning process was difficult. It was not easy for me to open myself up to the class. I was finally becoming comfortable moving in front of everyone until we added the spoken aspect to our final solo dances. It was a striking reminder how much energy and weight we put into spoken word. It was one of the most vulnerable experiences I have had in a class setting. On the other hand, I was always excited to come to class. I loved each day, especially the more traditional dancing days, and the days that we just spent stretching. Dancing with people who are just like you and in an uncomfortable but safe environment led to great discussions, and lots of fun. Learning to let go was one of the greatest discoveries.

 

I am going to apply a few different things that I discovered this semester into my everyday life. I made a promise to myself. Once I felt the difference in my body after stretching in the mornings that I was going to continue to do so. It was able to prepare my mind, body, and spirit for the intense day to come. A relaxed approach is the best approach in terms of music creation. I am also going to move forward with exploring a more complete musician. It is correct that we need to work on other aspects of ourselves than just sitting and performing. If we have no stage presence, then even the most flawless performance means nothing. Boring the audience with a stationary, unfeeling performance helps no one. Becoming vulnerable means that you can have the greatest growth. I am excited to continue this path especially leading up to my recital next semester.

 

20

Keep the Communication Active 

Zhenyi Long

I had a very refreshing experience of attending this class. I have learn a lot about my body functioning in terms of different parts of my body serve for different purposes. I gradually understood the importance of warming up my body in the morning, every day, which helped me to warmup my joints and improve the elastic ability of my body.  

I feel it is very helpful for my practice too since playing the piano is not only about fingers and wrists; it is an instrument that every part of our body needs to be engaged with.  All the movement I learned, I could apply to anytime during our daily routines, especially when taking a short break from work and practice.

Another thing that I think would be useful is to work with other people as a group, which it has always been something that I am not good at. It is important to keep the communication active when discussing what kind of gesture and movement, focus on other people's opinions and put everything together effectively.

For the individual or solo work, it trained my composer's creativity.  My individual dance movement required a lot of thinking and organizing by myself. I am very grateful for the learning experience of the class. I think the class definitely provided ideas for me to take away and integrate into my life.

 

Photo

 

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