Articles from the ‘Essays’ collection

Michelle in a deep penchee with a partner. She is wearing a yellow tutu and dancers in white tutus move behind her.

A Ballet Dancer’s Journey to Loving Herself

Michelle Chaviano, a ballet dancer with Ballet North Texas, reflects on her harrowing journey with body dysmorphia and disordered eating as a young student at English National Ballet School.

Two women stand in front of a building facade trying flamenco postures

Encounters with Flamenco in Spain

Shebana Coelho, a writer and performer currently studying flamenco in Spain, reflects with her colleagues and classmates on what it means to encounter flamenco as an art form and way of life.

Black and white photos of dancers at UCSC

The Movement of Memory

Mary Trunk, a filmmaker and dance artist in Altadena, CA, shares the process of creating her film, “Muscle Memory,” which explores aging in dance by reuniting with her college dance friends from UC Santa Cruz.

Sydney in tendu derrier in a studio wearing leotard, tights, and a skirt.

Syndey: Struggles and Triumphs

Sydney has been checking in every year for 10 years, sharing where dance has taken her each year. This year she continued to dance with Avant Chamber Ballet and relished in the personal struggles and triumphs of becoming a professional.

A closeup of Felicitas' face in black and white with her hair blowing and branches behind her.

Felicitas: Taking The Leap

Felicitas has been checking in every year for 10 years, sharing where dance has taken her each year. This year she fully took the leap into being an independent freelance artist in the Bay Area.