Student Spotlight

What kind of art do you make? What inspires you?

I like to make the kind of art that is mathematically sound, funny, and beautiful. I also like watching something that is balanced or makes sense asthetically. I usually am inspired by music. I tend to listen to music and see what I could do to enhance the music, or some song may be beautiful to me and inspire me to create beauty. I rarely get inspired by emotion to start a dance but emotion does play a big part in the creative process.

When in your life did you first become involved in your artistic discipline? What influenced you to become involved in the arts?

I first started dancing my Junior year on my high school's Dance Team, but I tend not to count that. I began at a Jazz Studio when I was 17. Two years after that, I went to a ballet studio for a year and then came to Cornish. So it started in 2000 and in November it will be 6 years.

My mom always says she should have put me into dance classes when I was younger because I always had a feel for rhythm and music. Whenever I would get new church shoes, I would pretend to tap on the tile floor. When I look back on it, 1) I am glad I didn't get started when I was that young (it alowed me to experience almost every sport until I discoverd dance), 2) I don't know if I would have liked being put into a dance class because I am sure I just wanted to make noise. Just because I made noise in a rhythm, doesn't mean I should have been in a dance class.

What are your current projects?

1) Etudes (Prep Department Show) 2) Diversion of Angels (Dance This) 3) Interweave Dance Theater 4) Seattle Jazz Dance Co.

Where are you from? How is Seattle different?

I could say I am from Gresham, OR, but really, my last address was from Portland. Seattle is like Portland's big brother. Seattle is bigger and has cooler toys, but also more stress. Portland is very laid back and chill. Not that Seattle isn't, but compared to Portland, Seattle is on Adderall.

Why did you choose to come to Cornish?

I have a comfort zone that I don't like to leave often. My family is still in Portland, so they are not too far away. I wanted to be educated in dance and one of my best friends recomended Cornish. Someone else said it was the Juliard of the West Coast, so I applied.

What has been your experience here?

Cornish is like a big family with lots of siblings younger and older, and tons of parents. Everyone is out to help everyone, and we all praise each other's achievements. There are the occasional sibling rivalries, but they get worked out eventually.

What quirky hobbies do you have?

I play video games and mix music. I would elaborate, but really,it's self explanatory.

What do you see yourself doing in 5 years?

Dancing for someone somewhere. Maybe San Diego, L.A., Utah, N.Y., or somewhere else?

What would you tell a prospective student about Cornish?

SAVE SAVE SAVE SAVE SAVE! Find time to sleep. Have one day completely off to yourself. Don't procrastinate. Buy frugally. It's only 4 years, try to live off of Top Ramen for as long as you can.

What is your creative process?

I don't have a set process. I move and create movement, then place it on someone else and see if I like it. If I do, I leave it and sprinkle humor or beauty or both and then there you go, I guess. ???