September, 2021
I’m celebrating today! I’m SO proud of myself!! This is my last day of an 8 week, 64 hour creative residency at The Dance Complex @thedancecomplex at Canal. Over the summer, I booked this residency, with support from The Dance Complex, in partnership with BioMed Realty, and a choreographic commission from Monkeyhouse. I was honored to be in the studio, where I felt the support of my team who believes and invests in me. Moreover, I believed in myself, my goals, the scheduled time, and in my work process. Thanks to Monkeyhouse @monkeyhouselovesme for helping me to imagine and making it possible. Thanks to my genius dramaturge, @gracemihelee for reminding me that Time and Space are the seeds for my creativity; the primary necessary requirements to make dance.
I developed an entire curriculum to teach NOURISH Project remotely with Black mothers from Cambridge. Cambridge Center for Families, guided by Cynthia Woodward has been so helpful in recruiting new prospective participants for our upcoming NOURISH sessions later this month. The professional quality of @Canal with its technical capabilities offers so much potential! The clean dedicated space with no COVID concerns afforded me the ability to focus on my work. NOURISH dance project inevitably blossomed @Canal. Many people will reap these benefits as I teach NOURISH.
This week also marks the last of NOURISH at LexFarm sessions. We will be considering harvest (though the farmers have been continually harvesting throughout the growing season), putting in perspective all we’ve gathered so far. We will begin to make movement phrases together, engage in some circle dancing, and play more follow the leader. I’m really pleased to have learned how people enjoyed the sessions, and what coming to NOURISH has provided for each person or family. Here’s a couple quotes:
I’ve been working with Sara Juli (with support from NEFA and Regional Dance Development Initiative) to chart out my fundraising plans for this year. This will be my first venture in building financial support as a full time choreographer! With hard work and your support, I know I can meet my goals. I’ve also been meeting with Amy Smith who has been consulting with me on my accounting and bookkeeping.
My kids just started sixth grade in middle school full time! I’m so excited for them to learn new ideas and skills, and to make new friends, finally. We are all ready to keep that new energy percolating here. I’m getting more time alone to focus on this engaging dance work that I so love.