“My wild curiosity for dance is constantly matched with new ideas and philosophies to internalize”

LCDS student Ryan, who started studying with us in the midst of a pandemic, is reflecting on his first term:

Since starting our studies my classmates and I have been dancing a lot, even in this age where it seems dance is confined to our computer screens. We have been studying improvisational techniques mostly, which has been exciting and thought provoking for me in these early terms. I come from a very classical background, and the technique of improvising is entirely new to me, but it has been exciting to try and familiarize myself with these forms, as most of my favourite work is devised from improvisation.

It's been enriching to have such an abundance of methodologies in both the physical and academic curricula, and it's been thoroughly exhilarating to be presented with so much new knowledge and information on the daily.

Studying Gaga specifically has been enjoyable for me. Gaga has felt rather retrospective and contemplative, and the task of getting to know my dancing self in these internalized means of “research” has been super cathartic for me. Gaga also has many similarities to ballet, and these structural similarities have allowed me space to connect to researching Gaga’s more theoretical aspects in a really present and genuine way. I have really loved my academic classes this term too. Thinking critically and analytically about dance is something I am extremely passionate about, therefore being in challenging discourses and discussions on art and performance has been particularly valuable to me.

Challenge is intrinsic to dance, as there is always something to work on. My biggest challenge thus far, however, has been working on accepting challenges themselves as a positive element in my education. So often when a topic isn't intrinsically refined for me, I tend to feel shame or frustration. I have been learning such a large volume of unfamiliar topics during my studies this far, and I am pushing myself to value the wholistic journey of obtaining knowledge and not dwell on the “perfection” of specific skills.

I am really hoping to develop my choreographic practice. I’ve always wanted to make my own work, but I have always shied away when given an opportunity to do so in the past. I find myself imagining steps and phrases, but have no idea how to bring them to fruition, so I would love to practice that skill of translating steps from my imagination into reality. I also really love the collaborative process and how fulfilling it can be. I hope to find opportunities in term two to emerge myself in the creation of something with other individuals who are equally as passionate about dance as I am.

I’m learning that I have everything to learn. I knew this already of course, but these past months have been a huge reinforcement of this notion. There is so much I am being exposed to at LCDS that I never had access to before, which is thoroughly exciting but certainly something to take stock of. However, it's been really exciting to constantly have my wild curiosity for dance matched with new ideas and philosophies to internalize.

Image by Rosalie O’Connor