Alumni Spotlight: Samantha Harmon
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!