SYNTHESIS COURSES
DANC 394: Internship in Dance
As a teaching artist intern at Stages Theatre in Hopkins, MN in the Summer of 2022, I worked with preschool through middle school-aged children teaching choreography, leading creative games, staging musical theatre scenes, and assisting in classroom management. The internship reinforced my love for teaching and working with young people. After a great experience, I was invited back and enjoyed more youth performing arts camps the following summer.
Summer 2022 Stages Theatre Interns
DANC 323: Rehearsal and Performance
2021: "Huntresses from Sylvia" choreographed by Raùl Díaz Maroto Casasola, photos by Danielle Varenhorst and Emma Petersen
2022: "If, Carmen" choreographed by Raùl Díaz Maroto Casasola"Missa Brevis" choreographed by José Limón and staged by Daniel Fetecua Soto, photos by Emma Petersen and Amber Stephenson
2023: "Tutu En L'Air" choreographed by Raùl Díaz Maroto Casasola; "The Tale of Jonathan Livingston Seagull" choreographed by Sandra Kaufmann, photos by Duncan Corbin
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2024: "The Last Miner" choreographed by Raùl Díaz Maroto Casasola; "Attachment State" choreographed by Sarah Cullen Fuller, "Primitive Mysteries" choreographed by Martha Graham and staged by Miki Orihara, photos by Duncan Corbin and Danielle Varenhorst
DANC 370: Dance Composition
Dance Composition showcase challenged me as a creative leader. This was my first time choreographing and ensemble work for the stage, and I was excited and nervous. Initially, I struggled to trust myself and take chances without getting hung up on the end product. Towards the end of the semester, I dove into the silly universe of my piece, "Supper Thyme Swing" and enjoyed choreographing a theatrical romp for the Student Dance Composition Showcase. In the future, I look forward to choreographing other dance genres and diving deeper into stage design and costuming.
DANC 380: Dance Pedagogy
I took Dance Pedagogy as an Independent Study under Dr. Amy Wilkinson during the Fall 2024 semester. Through the robust readings, videos, and podcasts generously provided by Dr. Amy, I gained a deeper understanding of teaching philosophy and the function of different pedagogical practices. For my final project, I was excited to create a teaching portfolio to synthesize philosophy, creativity, and technique.