Alumni Spotlights
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We spoke with former Ballet Program student, Hannah Sterling about her experience at the U.
When did you graduate from the U?
I actually have not fully graduated from the U yet, because I was hired to dance with Ballet West in November of 2015. So, I left the U full time to go be a part of Ballet West II. I am currently now in the business school at the U, for marketing.
Which Program were you in?
I was originally in the Ballet program within the dance department at the University. I was a joint trainee with Ballet West and the University of Utah. My first fall semester was in 2013.
What have you done since graduation?
Since my time out of full-time school and out of the dance program at the U, I have been dancing with Ballet West. I was in their second company, Ballet West II, for about three years. I danced lead roles in excerpts from Bournenville and performed the lead role in a Janis Joplin piece, choreographed by Ballet West resident and international choreographer Nicolo Fonte. Other ballet repertoire I danced included Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, Symphony in C, Chaconne, Madame Butterfly, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, and Serenade. I also started to pursue my business degree in marketing, where I am now a part of the business school at the University of Utah. I have also been privileged to speak to wide audiences about dancing and pursuing a higher education and how important that is to one’s future. I have spoken at the Salt Lake City YAGP regional, numerous schools around Utah, Arizona, and Philadelphia, as well as at the University of Utah.
What are you up to now?
Currently, I have started a non-profit, called Project L.E.A.P. It is a foundation that gives every child the opportunity to participate in the arts, through dance. It is my belief that a family’s income or economic status should not be the thing that stands in the way of a child having dance as a part of their life. I also have competed in a competition within the Miss America Organization and received the title of Miss Timponaogos 2019. I am currently doing my year of service and preparing to compete in the Miss Utah competition this upcoming June, where I will be representing my social impact initiative of helping more children to have the opportunity to participate in the arts, through dance. I am taking a short period of time off of professional dancing to pursue my business degree at the moment.
What was the most valuable thing you learned from your time at the School of Dance?
The most valuable lesson that I learned from dancing in the Ballet Department at the U was how important having an education is in today’s day in age. Since I first enrolled at the U and then started dancing professionally, I realized how much a higher education can help me for the rest of my life. I love dancing so much, but I also know that it is not going to last forever. To have a higher education gives me the ability to have a more supportive job for later in life post my professional dance career. I have seen too many peers from my time working as a professional ballet dancer that have no plans or any idea what to do with their lives after they take their final bow on stage. Also, I learned at the U that an injury can happen at any time and in any place. Having a degree to back yourself up is an amazing plan B.
What do you wish you had known as a student?
The one thing I wish I would have known when I was still a student was that it is okay to not rush things. Everything happens within it’s own time. I came to the U originally injured from a surgery and I had the strong intention of getting back into dancing quickly. I grew up training with The Rock School for Dance Education, based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The mindset that I grew up with was to work hard and get fast results. The school ran itself like a professional environment, which later helped me when I was professional. However, when I first came to the U it was Maggie Tesch, Calvin Kitten, and Sharee Lane that continually worked with me and told me it was okay to take some time and get back to my full strength.
How did your time at the U support your career?
My time at the U supported my career because I was able to not only start a professional experience by dancing as a trainee with Ballet West, but I was able to get a jump start on my higher education. If the U had not had that joint trainee program, my higher education may have been put on hold. The training at the U is also top notch. The instructors truly were supportive of me and worked around my schedule when I started to receive opportunities with Ballet West. I will always be a Ute and love this dance department! It was definitely a great stepping stone for my career!
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We spoke with MFA Modern Dance Alum, Michael Crotty about his experience at the U and life after graduation.
When did you graduate from the U?
The Spring of 2017
Which Program were you in?
MFA in Modern Dance
What have you done since graduation?
Since Graduation, I have been appointed a tenure-track faculty position at Southern Utah University. Additionally, I am the Dance Education Program Director. I continue to develop and present my choreographic and pedagogic research. I’ve been focusing on doing good outside of my respective discipline.
What are you up to now?
This Summer, I will be marrying School of Dance alumni, Nicholas Daulton. I continue to fall down various rabbit holes that revolve around Dance, Baking, and doing my best to contribute to this world. Dance and work can consume us. I feel it is imperative to sustain connections beyond our field. It's a big and complex world outside of Academia. We should all remember this.
What was the most valuable thing you learned from your time at the School of Dance?
No one owes you anything. Nothing is a given if you are not willing to dig your feet into the grit and do what a School is designed to do. So much is available to you in The School of Dance if you are willing to work for it. Surround yourself with peers that are committed to transcendence of those things they perceive may hold them back.
I feel blessed to have surrounded myself with provocative, challenging, and inspiring individuals who valued determinism. It is crucial to talk with, get to know, and dialogue with people that may seem fundamentally different than you. Surrounding yourself with only like-minded people is dangerous. My closest friends from School are those who challenged me.
What do you wish you had known as a student?
I learned quickly that the Program is a mecca for opportunities. Having had some time between Undergrad and Graduate degrees, it was not lost on me that the resources available inside The School of Dance were exceptional. As well, I entered the program desiring a more refined skill set that would leave me a competitive candidate within the University job market. Some advice I would like to share with current and/or future Undergrad and Graduate students is this: it is easy to fabricate elaborate stories as to how/why you were not given what you feel you are owed. This life is work. It is hard, dirty, heavenly work. Your feelings may be hurt, your ego may get bruised, and people will disagree with you. This is the joy of being a human being. You are alive. Dance is hard. It is challenging. It hurts, delights, and disrupts people. You are not owed success by attendance alone. Be willing to do the work. As well, your teachers are not oppressors.....
Get out of your own way and take advantage of these opportunities NOW. Your life is happening... in this moment. The program is designed to enable your success.... but you have to see it. Avoid things that prohibit this. As well, realize that disparities may be real or your own elaborate fabrication. I can attribute my happiness to the ability to remain committed to my education.
Your teachers are not going to offer you success on a plate. You have to do the work. Blaming others will rarely lead you where you want to go.
How did your time at the U support your career?
I was mentored and supported through the development and refinement of my pedagogic voice. As well, many faculty enabled me to direct my choreographic research in a way that made perfect sense to me. I did not feel pressure to steer my ideas in any one direction. Instead, I was enabled to cultivate my own way. I have a deep appreciation for the Faculty and Staff in the School of Dance.
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We spoke with Ballet Alum, Samantha Harmon about her experience at the U and life after graduation.
When did you graduate from the U?
May 2013
What have you done since graduation?
After graduation, I returned to Colorado Ballet to spend another season with their Studio Company (I spent my Junior year with them as well), where I performed with the corp de ballet in Giselle, The Nutcracker, and Cinderella. Then I joined Ballet Ariel in Denver as a company member, dancing featured roles in Raymonda, the Nutcracker, and the original ballet Van Gogh. I also taught for their academy, as well as another dance studio. After that, I began physical therapy school at The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. During one of my clinical rotations, I returned to the University of Utah Orthopaedic Center for 10 weeks, focusing on treating dancers in the Modern, Ballet, and Musical Theater departments as well as professionals in Salt Lake City.
What are you up to now?
I just graduated with my Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from CU in December, and I started working at Blue Sky Physical Therapy, a private outpatient clinic in Denver in January. I hope to continue treating dancers and get them back to full physical functioning. I am also dancing with Ballet 5280, a new company in Denver. We had our most recent performance, Vivaldi's Four Seasons and other works, in January.
What was the most valuable thing you learned from your time at the School of Dance?
I learned the true importance of musicality and artistry. Small details, such as having every technique class accompanied by a pianist, and faculty that encouraged artistic expression, encouraged me to find my artistic voice and allowed me to blossom as a dancer.
What do you wish you had known as a School of Dance student?
Stay open minded. You never know where opportunities will come from, and how they may shape your future. It's important to have goals, but some of the greatest opportunities come from unexpected places when you get out of your comfort zone and try things you never thought you would.
How did your time at the U support your career?
The U was what gave me my confidence, both as a dancer and a young adult. I formed some of my best personal and professional relationships during my time there, and left feeling that I had unlimited opportunities ahead of me. There are so many resources available to students, and while I certainly didn't use all of them, I continue to use my connections there to advance my career. Plus, I now have friends all over the world that I met at the U!
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We spoke with Ballet Program Alumn, Misa Oga about her experience at the U and life after graduation.
When did you graduate from the U?
2013
Which Program were you in?
Ballet
What have you done since graduation?
The biggest thing that I have done since graduation is opening a ballet studio, MOGA Conservatory of Dance, in North Salt Lake. I teach dancers of all ages from age 2 to adults.
What are you up to now?
As a studio owner, I stay busy :) My everyday consists of teaching, choreographing, as well as coaching and staging works. This year, I was awarded the “Outstanding Teacher” award at Youth America Grand Prix 2018. I love traveling to New York every year to attend the YAGP Finals, as well as the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum Intensives. I am an ABT Certified Teacher (Pre-Primary through Level 5). In 2017, I was honored to be the teacher for the Pre-Primary through Level 3 demonstration classes for the ABT NTC Training in Salt Lake City.
I am also currently a grad student in the MFA ballet program. I truly enjoy learning, having the opportunity to teach the beautiful dancers at the School of Dance, and researching! Just recently, I presented my research at National Dance Educators Organization (NDEO) conference in San Diego, CA. Presentation title: "Connecting history and pedagogy: Vaganova's vision for neoclassicism and dancer empowerment".
Since graduating from the BFA program, I have gotten married—My husband supports and encourages me in all that I do, and he is my best friend! I also have a dog, Kota, who is a cute little companion. In the summer time, we go stand up paddle boarding together, and he rides on the front of the board.
What was the most valuable thing you learned from your time at the School of Dance?
I learned many valuable things during my time in the Ballet Program. From the everyday ballet classes, to the academic courses, rehearsal processes, and the abundant performing experiences, I feel that it was a perfect environment in cultivating effective skills in my career and as an individual. As Alonzo King eloquently articulates, “Dance training can’t be separate from life training. Everything that comes into our lives is training. The qualities we admire in great dancing are the same qualities we admire in human beings: honesty, courage, fearlessness, generosity, wisdom, depth, compassion, and humanity.” I learned important skills such as time management, setting goals, accomplishing these goals, and overcoming challenges. Every experience that I had as a student, enriched my life as a dancer, teacher, and as an individual.
What do you wish you had known as a student?
As a perfectionist, like many other dancers, I wish I had known that it is okay to NOT be perfect. Sometimes the stress of making mistakes, showing weakness, or simply being concerned about what others think, could distract me from my learning, experiences, and interactions. Now, I feel that all individual experiences are meaningful for learning! It is beautiful to share your experiences, be confident for what you believe, commit to lifelong learning, and explore new things and ideas!
How did your time at the U support your career?
The wonderful individuals that I met and friends that I made during my time at the U, have been the most treasured gifts to me. I had wonderful professors that encouraged me, opened doors to my career, and sparked my passion for learning, teaching, and research. They taught me so much about ballet pedagogy, and their knowledgeable examples live in my teaching everyday! I feel very grateful to be back as a graduate student with incredible mentors and professors who inspire me daily. It is wonderful to make these lasting connections and I feel so lucky and humbled to be part of a beautiful community of dancers, teachers, and scholars.
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We spoke with Ballet Alum, Bashaun Williams about his experience at the U and life after graduation
When did you graduate from the U?
I graduated from the U in 2011.
Which Program were you in?
I was in the ballet department. While there, I studied Ballet with an emphasis in performance.
What have you done since graduation?
Since my graduation, I have taught at numerous colleges and studios around the country, traveled around the world to perform, and have been a part of Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company.
What was the most valuable thing you learned from your time at the School of Dance?
The most valuable thing i learned while at the U of U was how to be responsible. I was in charge of making my own schedule, showing up to all classes and rehearsals, working late hours in rehearsals, still finding time to complete work study so that I could eat and take care of my health. The list goes on. But that all prepared me way beyond what was needed to survive in the real world. After graduation I was fully prepared to embark on this journey and career of full time dance, knowing exactly what to expect.
What do you wish you had known as a School of Dance student?
I dont think there was anything i can say i wish i had know while i was at the U, because as a student i didn't know anything, and that was perfect because it gave the room i needed to learn and appreciate. And looking back, everything that i did learn has prepared me for this very moment, for where i am today. I am still learning every step of the way so saying that i had wish i had known anything that i know now wouldn't be fair to my growth and to those who have helped me get to this place of understanding.
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We spoke with Modern Dance Alum, Laja Field about her experience at the U and life after graduation:
When did you graduate from the U?
I graduated from the modern dance department in 2012
What have you done since graduation?
I moved to Germany to dance with Johannes Wieland at the Staatstheater Kassel. Johannes was a guest choreographer for PDC the fall prior and invited me to be an apprentice starting January 2012. After the first show, I was invited to finish the season as a guest and the following year I became a full time company member for two seasons. In the almost four years at the theater I had the pleasure of working with many inspiring colleagues, guest teachers and guest artists including Chris Haring/Liquid Loft (who’s piece we got to perform at ImpulsTanz in Vienna), Stella Zannou and re-staging a piece by Hofesh Shechter under the direction of Sita Ostheimer. In fall of 2015 I relocated to New York City with (my now husband) Martin Durov, joined VIM VIGOR dance company as a founding member and am currently co-rehearsal director. With the company I performed in NYC, Santa Barbara and Panama as well as traveling to teach and create pieces in Montreal, San Fransisco, Texas and Michigan.
What are you up to now?
In the last year Martin and I have launched our own physical dance theatre company LAJAMARTIN and premiered our first work “Tatry” with DanceNOW at Joe’s Pub in NYC and later performed the piece in “Circulate” at Newcastle College, England. As invited guests with BRINE we created “Lucy Part 1” with five beautiful Salt Lake City artists that premiered at the Leona Wagner Black Box. The end of 2017 brought us to created “Spolu v Čase” for the J.L Bella Conservatory in Banska Bystricia, Slovakia and we’ve just recently finished a commission for CDT at BYU. We’ve also really enjoyed teaching at the University of Utah, BYU, Gibney NYC, hosting workshops in LA, touring to Europe to teach at Staatstheter Kassel, Germany, Dancecity and Newcastle College, England and Contemporary Pro Tanec, Prague. This spring I’m happy to be back teaching at Gibney in NYC, performing with Martin at Westfest and later this fall creating a new production with VIM. In May we’ll be coming back to Utah for SALT dance company’s LINK festival which we are really looking forward to!
What was the most valuable thing you learned from your time at the School of Dance?
Ooo, hard to pick just one, there are a few that come to mind. One is definitely how important community is. Our class, very luckily, was supportive, generous and also honest, this was essential to my growth and development in those years and continues to remind me how crucial it is to foster this kind of environment. I’d say another was to dream and dream big, there was this feeling of limitless in school and so much to grasp if you wanted, and that was the key…if you wanted and were willing to really work you could really achieve something. That dream and drive has definitely stuck with me. There was also an understanding that our dance education is fundamental, Abby Fiat would often say “dance is the best preparation for life” and I couldn’t agree more. Complex learning, collaboration, defending opinion with openness, discussion, feedback, imagination, revision, creation, practice in all these areas and more cultivate major skills that inform your life and make for solid people that can contribute to this world.
What do you wish you had known as a student?
I wish I had been more interested to research dance happening all over the world. It wasn’t until my junior year that I decided to do a workshop outside of Utah and that experience opened my eyes to so many different people working in the field and even then I was still astounded when I went to Europe. Now I would tell my college self to take workshops in the winter and summer, look at videos from companies all over the world, take in information, learn, adapt it into your own and fly with it!
How did your time at the U support your career?
The U was essential in getting me a career. Learning the many different styles of each teacher and other genres of dance, getting the chance to improvise, learn kinesiology, study dance history, make pieces of our own, teach, create material while working with various choreographers and perform all informed (and still informs!) my professional life.
I think I had auditioned for six other schools and didn’t get in anywhere. This was the only school that believed in me. The teachers at the U gave me a chance, saw my potential, nurtured it, gave me opportunity, challenges, experience and the confidence to dream big. I will forever be grateful to this department, my fellow students and the teachers that supported me and pushed me to do better. I hope to continue coming back to Salt Lake to share my experience and contribute to the ever growing community. It’s a wild and wonderful world out there, go after your dreams !
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We spoke with Modern Dance Alum, Daniel Do about his experience at the U and life after graduation.
When did you graduate from the U?
Spring of 2017
Which program were you in?
BFA in Modern Dance
What have you done since you graduated?
Right after graduating I moved to Portland, Oregon and danced for two project based companies: Polaris Dance Theatre and Shaun Keylock Company. I presented work at the Groovin' Greenhouse Festival of New Work. I was a guest dancer with Ririe Woodbury Dance Company and the Nikolais/Louis Foundation for their international tour to France.
What are you up to now?
I am currently back in Salt Lake City in my second season with Repertory Dance Theatre. I am also Assistant Director of project based company, Cat + Fish Dances. I am also pursuing choreographic endeavors for various festivals and college residencies.
What are the most valuable lessons you learned from your time in the School of Dance?
- Taking care of mental and emotional health is just as important as your physical health
- Do not take on more projects than you can handle, it is ok to say no
- Support your fellow artists and companies in the school and community
What do you wish you had known as a student?
- Take more advantage of the FREE physical therapy
- Take advantage of summer intensive scholarships and study abroad programs that the school offers
- Whatever artistic endeavor you are interested in, keep putting yourself out there (now is the time!). If it's performing, keep auditioning for the shows; if it's choreography, keep creating and submitting your work; if it's teaching, get connected to one of the many studios that Utah has.
- Enjoy every single challenging and fun moment. College flies too quickly.
How did your time at the U support your career?
The tools I learned from being at the U have stayed and helped me be prepared as a versatile artist pursuing a professional career in dance. I was a part of many various rehearsal processes that made me prepared to adapt to any choreographer. I was also a member of Student Concert Committee, which taught me all about how to produce a show from a technical perspective (how to work a lighting board, make and call cues, setting up lights, selecting and curating a well-rounded show, marketing, etc.). I appreciated all the workshop classes and opportunities to create work because that helped me create my own voice as a choreographer. My classmates are now a forever networking connection spread around the world. I know I can always reach out to them if I need some help or have any questions.
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We spoke with Ballet Alum, Sara Rodriguez about her experience at the U and life after graduation
When did you graduate from the U?
I graduated in 2014.
Which Program were you in?
I was in the ballet department.
What have you done since graduation?
Since graduation, I’ve been freelancing in New York City, which is both amazing and wildly challenging. I realized while still in school that I would not be happy in a ballet company, but that I still wanted to dance, so as a freelancer, I get the chance to do whatever I want for the most part. The only downside is that it can be unstable at times, and so I’ve never had less than three or four jobs at once. It’s been a journey, but I’ve danced for quite a few different choreographers here in the city and have found myself much more at home in the commercial dance scene—both as a performer and as a choreographer. I’ve done a little bit of everything from dancing in televised flash mobs directed by Derek Mitchell (he’s now a resident choreographer for Hamilton) to choreographing music videos for up-and-coming artists. Really, I’ve just taken opportunities as they come, so my resume is eclectic, to say the least.
What are you up to now?
At this point, I’ve been in the city for three years and I feel I’m finally starting to do what I’ve been wanting to do. I’m dancing work I want to be dancing, and I’m getting to choreograph more, which is exactly what I hoped for. Most recently, I’ve begun creating video work (in commercial dance they’re called concept videos) as an outlet both for my activism and my art, and I have plans to continue producing meaningful work in that way. I was also invited to present my choreography at a RAW Artists showcase this month, which I’m so excited to do with my amazing group of dancers (one of which is a fellow ballet department alum!). Otherwise, I teach quite a bit and choreograph for competition teams. Something new for me this year has been getting to teach on the convention circuit and judge some competitions, which I’ve been enjoying so far since I get to travel to different cities throughout the country and see what’s going on in the competitive dance scenes there. Most of all, I love working with kids from all over. It’s inspiring to remember being one of those kids and seeing how life can take you all sorts of places.
What was the most valuable thing you learned from your time at the School of Dance?
The most valuable thing I learned from my time in the Ballet Department was the importance of showing up; getting the part starts with preparing for the part, which includes how you come into the space. Is your hair done? Are you dressed like you want to be there? Does your body language say you want to be there—or does it say you’d rather still be in bed? Because if that’s what it looks like, there are plenty of other people who will gladly take your spot. Especially being here in the city, where there are so many talented dancers and so few well-paying jobs, I often find myself thinking about how crucial that is and how lucky I was to learn that at the U.
What do you wish you had known as a School of Dance student?
I wish I had known that everything would eventually work itself out, and that it wasn’t the end of the world that I didn’t want to be in a ballet company anymore. I wasted a lot of time trying to maneuver myself into an image and a way of life I never could have fit for so many reasons, and I would beat myself up when I couldn’t “just make it work.” If I could go back, I’d tell myself to relax, everything will work itself out, you’ll find your voice soon, so just enjoy this time and focus on your training. The rest will come.
How did your time at the U support your career?
My time at the U supported my career in that it prepared me to function like a professional before I ever was one. I learned what it means to have a job to do and find a way to do it. I also got some great technical training, which I do feel makes a huge difference, no matter what gig I’m working at any given moment; choreographers I’ve worked with and critics who’ve reviewed my performances often reference a sense of refinement and innate musicality in my movement and I have no doubt that these qualities are rooted in my solid classical training from the U.
Interested in being featured in an alumni spotlight?
Contact us at info@dance.utah.edu.