Life after college - what they DON'T teach you in school!

Photo by Eric Olson

I am forever grateful for my time in the dance department at Appalachian State University. I grew tremendously over my four years in the program. My passion for dance intensified and my creative vision matured. I made friends that will be my connections in the dance community for a lifetime and formed relationships with professors and mentors that I hope to continue to grow throughout my career.

          

What I failed to fully realize during my college experience, however, was that I was living in a tiny dance utopia. It was a world filled with like-minded friends who wanted to sit for hours and discuss our latest choreographic fantasies, with constant opportunities to take FREE master classes and workshops, and a space to perform and present work in the most open and accepting community. A perfect world! I didn’t realize just how spoiled I was.

          

My last two summers in Boone, I had an eye-opening and inspiring experience participating in a program called Now and Next Dance Mentoring Project, created by Ashley Thorndike-Youssef. The program is a tiered mentoring program including professional dance artists, college dancers, and middle school aged girls. Through refreshingly candid discussions with the professional dance artists, I gained a clearer understanding of how to make a life as a dancer. We discussed topics like how to pay the bills as a dancer and the variety of jobs that these successful dance artists had held throughout their careers. We talked about the importance of keeping connections and engaging in your community, as well as practical matters like health insurance for dancers, writing grants, and filing a dance company as a not-for-profit. This was all extremely valuable knowledge that I wouldn’t have gotten in my normal dance courses and am grateful to have had passed along from the seasoned pros. 

          

After almost three years in “the real world”, I have learned a lot about piecing together a life as a dancer. It’s not quite as peachy as it was in college, with everything laid out for me, but it’s an adventure. I value the time I had in college because it allowed me to grow into a mature artist in a safe and nurturing environment, but even more, I value the time I have right now to challenge myself, push myself out of my comfort zone, and find my individual voice as an artist and dancer. 

Submitted by TDC apprentice Molly Kirkpatrick on Monday, February 24, 2014. 

Life after college - following your dreams but paying your bills too!

Photo by Eric Olson

After graduating from Appalachian State University with degrees in Dance Studies and Psychology, I moved back home with my parents to figure out my next step and save some money to make that step possible.  After a couple months of working and living rent-free (thanks, Mom and Dad!), I decided I had saved enough to make a leap of faith and move to “The Big (second) City”. I knew I wanted to be in a place where I could be a part of a thriving and innovative dance community and hoped Chicago could be that place for me.

I was lucky to find a job working in a dance store fairly quicklyt after moving, which made it possible for me to enjoy my free time exploring the city and especially the vast dance scene. At the end of that first summer, I auditioned for the Dance COLEctive and was so pleased to accept an apprentice position with the company. I felt as though I had achieved my dream! I was living in an incredible city and had landed a real-life dancing job! I was over the moon.

I can honestly say that I still feel this same way. I am still in love with this city (more so when the temperature is in the positive range!) and haven’t stopped exploring all that it has to offer. I am currently working two jobs to make ends meet. One as a clinic coordinator at an acupuncture and massage clinic and the other serving at a local bar. I love my jobs. I work with amazing people and feel appreciated for what I do. But most importantly, working these jobs makes it possible for me to pay my bills and allows me to dance with the unbelievable women I spend every Tuesday and Thursday with. I feel lucky to be able to pursue my passion in such an incredible place with the inspirational support and friendship from the TDC team. 

Submitted by TDC Apprentice Molly Kirkpatrick on Tuesday, February 11, 2014.  

The Big Leagues

After graduating from Appalachian State University in the mountains of North Carolina with degrees in Dance Studies and Psychology in May 2011, I knew that I wanted to continue dancing. I didn’t exactly know how I was going to do that, but I knew that I wanted to find a dance community in which I wouldn’t lose myself. A place where I could be challenged creatively and fulfill my desire to be a part of making and presenting interesting and meaningful work. Somewhere I could be part of the process and part of a team. I feel so blessed to have found all of these things as an apprentice this season with The Dance COLEctive! 

Photo by Eric Olson

I visited Chicago only a handful of times before I decided to move here this past June. I loved the city. It felt like a big city with a small neighborhood feel and extremely friendly people. I was up for a new adventure. I took dance classes at a number of dance studios whenever I was in Chicago. Then, during one of my visits, TDC company member Olivia May invited me to  an open company class. I knew Olivia from our hometown of Raleigh, NC. I am so grateful to her for allowing me to tag along and get a taste of the the Dance COLEctive. The class was wonderful! All the dancers were welcoming and Margi’s class was challenging and fun.

When I finally built up enough courage (and money) to make the move to the big windy city, I made the leap. With a good friend from home, in a Penske truck filled with all of our belongings, we steered north – and a little west.  Once in Chicago, I tried to take advantage of as many dance classes and opportunities as I could. I was overwhelmed (and still am) by how much is going on here. I attended The Dance COLEctive audition in August, immensely intimidated to be at my first ever professional audition. After auditions and call backs, I was so pleased to be offered an apprentice position with the company. I literally jumped up and down when I received the email from Margi. And now, after our first performance together this season, I really feel a part of it all. Surrounded by inspiring and powerful women, dancing to my heart’s content, I can officially say I’m livin’ the dream.

Submitted by TDC Apprentice Molly Kirkpatrick on Sunday, February 10, 2013.