It’s only a slight exaggeration to say that I chose Swarthmore for the Dance Program, specifically ballet. I knew that the academics were top notch, the size was right for me, the campus was beautiful, the biology building was new, and that the new dining hall soon would be open. I looked at a few other schools that checked most of these boxes, but they were lacking a ballet program where I felt I could really grow as a dancer. A ballet club, off-campus ballet studio, or classes in modern dance were less-than-ideal options. I wanted to find an on-campus ballet program that included both classes and performance opportunities in advanced level ballet, and Swarthmore was a perfect fit.
I wrote my very first SwatStory about my ballet experience, so I thought it would be fitting to write about it in my last. As my first article explains, my experience in the Swarthmore ballet program got off to what I thought was a little bit of a rocky start. But thanks to the understanding and encouragement of the dance instructors, my experience has been overwhelmingly positive so far. I’ve taken two ballet classes (in addition to four academic classes) each semester. Last year, my Pointe and Partnering class performed an excerpt from Swan Lake in the Fall Dance Concert. This semester, we’re performing “Waltz of the Snowflakes” from The Nutcracker, complete with falling snow! But, the performances are just the icing on the cake at the end of the semester. I enjoy each class session, as I forget about chemistry, biology… really everything else, and just concentrate on dancing. Each semester, I’ve grown as a dancer. But the experience that has stretched and challenged me the most was being a part of the Ballet Repertory Ensemble class last spring.
I registered for “Ballet Rep” with feelings of both excitement and trepidation, because I knew it would be a pretty intense class. The course is focused on an entirely new work that the instructor choreographs for the end-of-semester dance concert. The entire semester is a process of learning, memorizing, and perfecting the choreography bit by bit. I was familiar with the instructor, Senior Lecturer in Dance Chandra Moss-Thorne, and I knew she would be amazing. But I didn’t have any experience with contemporary ballet. The piece was intense, but in a fantastic and innovative way. Chandra’s vision was to create a piece that showcased our athleticism and intensity to combat the traditional stereotype of ballet as soft and delicate. I had to spend extra time reviewing video and rehearsing outside of class, but overall it was a really incredible experience.
It was so fulfilling to be part of the creative process from start to finish – to see how Chandra communicated her ideas, modified the choreography to suit our strengths, and gave us some freedom to play with our own interpretations of the choreography. She would sometimes leave some details undecided and then a few days later ask us to take inspiration from a certain dancer’s interpretation that she especially liked. I was so proud of our hard work when we had the opportunity to share the final product at the dance concert.
Ballet is only a small part of the Swarthmore Dance Department. I would encourage any prospective student interested in dance to look into the plethora of opportunities at Swarthmore. Really, that goes for any activity that brings you joy – from fencing to farming, rock climbing to robotics, debating to salsa dancing. Don’t underestimate the importance of being able to follow your passions outside of the classroom at whatever college you choose.