A good show is a great way to end a crazy week.

It's been an interesting week, I've been rocking a ridiculous head cold for the past few days, but I'm starting to come out of it. This week has been full of dance stuff. There have been my normal classes all week, the first showing on a composition solo, a dance department concert, and of course my usual crazy daily dance moves for just about anything.
Yesterday I went to the department's first concert of the year, Dance/ Hartwell. There were two graduate thesis works and several other pieces choreographed by other students. All the pieces were amazing, and you could tell a lot of work went into them. One however has stood out in my mind. There was a thesis work that was very high energy and intensity, that stood out to me as the highlight of the show. It was almost like a choreographed fight scene... gives me a lot of ideas!
I apologize to anyone that actually reads my posts, Elizabeth I have a feeling you're my support in general and I love you for that, but I have been so busy during the week with homework and other dance type engagements that I haven't had much time to collect my thoughts. I'll try to be better about this I promise.

A last word, anyone looking for some incredible dance to occupy their youtube viewing hours? Check out Gallim dance, and the Kate Weare Company. SOme of my favorites that I've had the opportunity to work with through the guest artist programs here at Brockport.

Just move it! ☮

homecoming week/ weekend

Good News!
I have been keeping up with classes at Brockport through this whole shenanigan with two broken toes however I completed my first full class today! These past two weeks I've been doing everything except certain across the floor combos and jumping because it put too much pressure on my foot, but starting this week it's back to the grind and I'm off to a good start! It' been a very dance filled week so I'm very sorry for the delay in my post. Basically here's what's been going on.

I was cast in a piece for the department this semester and we auditioned that piece and were accepted to close a show. I will be in the Brockport dance department's Dance/ Strasser show towards the end of October. The piece is very theatrical, and abstract however it is based off of a short story, and is extremely new for me. I don't not actually dance much at all. I have to walk, speak, laugh, and die at the end. It's a whole new experience but one I have been enjoying lots. (plus the 80's-ish prom dress style costume is just wonderful!)

Along with this is Brockport emeralds dance team performed at the Homecoming football game to a good size crowd despite the fact we were asked to wait until the end of the game to perform because of a ceremony happening at half time. We walked the parade in the morning and cheered up the community with obnoxious singing and dancing. No one had to ask what club we were. Homecoming dance!

On a last note, I recently auditioned with a company called Converge dance where they welcomed me to continue with them. They are a new contemporary modern based company out of Rochester, New york, and because the company members are mostly college students, or teachers we rehearse at flexible times mostly weekends whenever people can come. It's a brand new company just breaking into the buisness but the audition day was very fun and I look forward to working with them more closely! Converge Dance's Facebook page

Hope everything is going well in the dance world elsewhere, I seem to have a pretty good grasp on my little piece for now (for once).

remember....
Just Move it. ☮

but don't worry daddy, I'm not addicted yet....

So I know this is going to sound super random but I've been sitting around listening to music and working on homework all day and I've been stuck between songs. I've been listening to Sara Bareilles "Little Voice" album, which is very good, and the song that have stuck out to me the most have been "Come round Soon".

I could use another cigarette
But don't worry daddy, I'm not addicted yet
One too many drinks tonight and I miss you
Like you were mine

All your stormy words have barely broken
And you sound like thunder though
You've barely spoken
Oh, it looks like rain tonight and thank God
'Cause a clear sky just wouldn't feel right.

[CHORUS]
He's taken and leaving
But I keep believing
That he's gonna come round soon
(He'll come round soon I know)
You may be my final match
'Cause I chase everything when you play
Throw and I play catch
It never took much to keep me satisfied
But all the bullshit you feed me you miss me
You need me
This hungry heart will not subside

[CHORUS]

Well I may seem naive if I cry as you leave
Like I'm just one more tortured heart
These cracks that I show as I'm watching
You go aren't tearing me apart
I may seem naive if I cry as you leave
Like I'm just one more tortured heart
These cracks that I show as I'm watching
You go aren't tearing me apart

The angels said I'd smile today
Well who needs angels anyway?

[chorus]

I could use another cigarette.

I'm not really sure why but these lyrics really stand out to me. Just thought I'd share.

Just Move it. ☮

bruised but not broken... well, -ish

Well it's been an interesting week here in Brockport. The streak of class without injury has come to an end unfortunately. A broken toe and another one screwed up have temporarily halted much dancing, however I still have been working. This week, quite luckily, in my composition class we were assigned of first solo. The guidlines for the solo were to abstractly represent 4 basic everyday tasks, using the bathroom, opening an umbrella, brushing your teeth, and reading the newspaper. The good part about this solo is the goal is to stay in one general area, with only a few loco-motor movements. I guess I'm just lucky like that. Can't wait to get some result and there will be updates on the final result!

just move it. ☮

I've been neglecting you....

I've been neglecting you. I apologize. Here's what my life has consisted of for the past week or so.

I've been dancing everyday as I said I would but recently I've had some new outlets for it rather than just my daily classes. I was accepted into a piece hopefully for one of the departmental shows this semester! I was originally cast as an understudy in the piece because the choreographer was not sure exactly how many dancers she wanted in the piece but once we got to the first rehearsal I was given placements. It just goes to show you it's never a bad idea to take an understudy or alternate position because often enough you'll end up getting a spot. Also if you get in as an understudy and show good rehearsal habits the choreographer may be more willing to cast you in a future piece if they enjoy working with you.
Also I auditioned and made the Brockport Emeralds dance team to perform at football/ basketball games. It's more of a hip-hop style which I've been working very hard to get better at so it's a step forward. I was not too worried about this audition because I was on the team last semester but no matter how many times you've auditioned for something the nerves are still there. It was a tough audition but I just decided to have fun with it and keep a positive attitude. That's always how I try to look at auditions, and sometimes you just have to let it roll off your back. Not everyone will want you when you want them to want you. It isn't a reflection on you, just what a certain set of people were looking for at a particular moment.
Overall, it's been busy recently, but I would expect nothing less. A busy schedule is the fuel I need to keep moving forward. Just make sure that busy schedule is really full of stuff you want to do.

and remember, just move it. ☮

quick update...

Hey guys! Youtube finally stopped hating my life and let me upload some videos so go check them out!

http://www.youtube.com/user/Jsect56789?feature=mhum#p/u

I'll post something new soon but I'm kicking my butt trying to get the dance team audition section ready for thursday so be patient!

just move it ☮

someone asked me a dangerous question...

they asked me why dance is so important to me... this was my response:

I think dance is so important to me for the same reason family, or friends are important to me. they're always there, sometimes they make you feel amazing, sometimes they piss you off, they help you through tough times, feel happiness and joy with you and they understand you. To me it's just a part of my life through which i can express myself completely with more than just words or images, and without words, when there aren't any to say.

This is only a small section of a page long response I wrote down. Overall this question really made me think of why my passion is what it is when many people think it's unpractical, or don't understand. This is just how I see it, and why it's so important in my life.

just move it!☮

and so it begins...

Day two of college year two is complete! After many classes and countless- "oh-yea-haven't-done-that-one-in-a-while" moments, dancing everyday is becoming normal again. It's such a beautiful thing! This semester I'll be in a modern III, ballet, and composition class so you'll hear a lot about what I'm up to. Tonight was the auditions for this semester's shows and it was very fun and felt like it went well so fingers crossed. We will hopefully find out if we've been cast in any pieces tomorrow so I'll be sure to keep you updated.
This week I'll be creating a 3 minute composition solo based of off about 12 short movements we learned in class. We'll be allowed to manipulate them in several ways like speed, order, repetition, and style as much as we want, and we'll also be allowed to re-interpret movements to different parts of the body. I'm very excited for this, and I'll be sure to get some film of it if possible. The other cool part about this assignment is we'll be allowed to bring in sound to dance to. Now sound in this case does not necessarily mean music. I'm going to attempt to create my own sounds for the project, no word on how that one will work out but it's worth the shot!

Just move it! ☮

"It's not a silly little moment..."

I spent the day before I ventured out to Brockport for school dancing in a backyard. It was very fun and a good way to end my summer in the 518. My friend Brett and I attempted, (to moderate success) to learn Wade Robson's Choreography to Slow Dancing in a Burning Room by John Mayer. Regardless of how successful we were, we had a lot of fun and got a good workout. Minus the heavily grass stained ballet shoes/ socks and various allergic reaction to the grass. Outside is a very good place to dance because it's big, usually you can find it flat, and it's nice to use an area that you rarely use otherwise. I remember as a kid I used to play outside all the time so I guess it's an outcome of my childhood that I love dancing outside so much. But you do get a sense of freedom with the wind, sun or rain depending on the day. Personally my favorite is rain! anyway we took some video clips and some screens hots so check them out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hk9-qH5fyTU (original choreography)

just move it!☮

industrial-electronica-techno- trance and John Lennon hunting.

I haven't danced full out in quite a few days because I've been packing to go back to school on Friday. I have used the time to exercise my dancing mind though. I put my iTunes on shuffle and just listen while I'm packing and think about what I could do with each song. Ever the dancer instead of just listening to music I tend to listen with a choreographic presence. Meaning I see dance moves in my head in the most sane, non-voices-in-my-head type way (of course!). I can't wait to get back to school and really be able to get back into shape. It's going to be a rough first week with track pre-season, dance technique classes, and dance team all starting up but I can't wait for it. I've also been drowning my mind with youtube videos while I still have time to watch them!

I have a new trick for all of you people looking for new music! I went with my brother out to a record store in my area that sells vinyls, cd's, and basically any used/ older/ awesome media for cheap. I was wondering around looking at all the old records and after picking up a fabulous John Lennon album I found myself looking at the trance/electronic/industrial/type music they had on CD. I am always looking for new music to dance to and even though I would hate to just sit and listen to this particular brand of music, it does make excellent sound for a modern dance. Of course I don't know any artists or songs from this genre but I picked a random, cheap CD ("Human Patterns" by Beanfield)  for about $4 and brought it home and found it had 2 or 3 songs I would really consider using for a dance! So don't be afraid to just grab a random CD and try it for cheap if you have a secondhand or used music store close by!

just move it! ☮

hi my name is jessie, and I'm addicted to youtube.

 "Personal" by Stars
It's true. I'm an addict. If I could and still stay in shape I'd sit around watching videos on youtube all day. No matter what I'm looking for, it's there. It has been an outlet for inspiration. I am constantly looking for new music and I wear one of my favorite ways to get it is to surf youtube dance videos and look up lyrics. I have my own youtbe channel yes, but as I've said my videos have not been uploading, and I've been having too much fun favoriting every video I could ever possibly want to watch twice. Music, dances, everything. It's a problem, but I guess it's okay cause it's helping me develop a personal style. Recently I discovered this song, "Personal" by Stars, and I was inspired. Hopefully you'll get to see some choreo soon!

just move it.☮

Tapping at the Track

So I spent the day yesterday with my family at the Saratoga Racetrack. It was a lot of fun aside from the total lack of successful bets, but still worth the trip. We were listening to the many bands and people entertaining around the area and found a band that my family knows very  well. Reggie's Red Hot Feet Warmers has a bass player that played at my parents wedding and gave my brother an internship. He's a very nice man and his band is very, very good. Yesterday they had two people with them, a guy and a girl, that were swing, and tap dancing. It was very fun to watch and both people were extremely good. The girl had just recently started tap dancing but the guy had obviously been hoofin' it for quite a while. It was super fun to watch and listen to and I may have learned some new tricks! Regardless, it has brought tap back into my radar and sparked my interest in it yet again. Which is a very good thing. So hopefully you'll be seeing a little more about taping than I've said in the past!

☮

Friday the 13th.... good day to come back.

So I know I have not been doing a very good job keeping up with this fabulous blog but the summer weather has been keeping me busy during the day and exhausted at night! So here are some updates....

It was NATIONAL DANCE DAY! on July 31st. I spent all day creating a video in celebration following my mantra, just move it. (Take that Nike) I had a lot of fun with it, and I'm quite proud of how it turned out. I shot, edited, and danced every piece by myself. I'll try to upload it here but no promises, my videos have not been uploading very well recently...

Anyway, aside from NATIONAL DANCE DAY!, I've finished teaching my summer contemporary class, and I've taught two separate classes at the Sand Lake Center for the Arts in my home town, and taught a few kinder-dance classes at both the Art Center and my home studio. Some of the songs I've used have been "Good Time" by Leroy, "It Doesn't Hurt" by Katie Thompson, "Jar of Hearts" by Cristina Perri, "Stand By Me" by Ben E. King, "New Shoes" by Paolo Nutini, and "Heartbreak Warfare" by Sunny Choi (a cover of the song by John Mayer). I've had lots of fun teaching these classes and as soon as youtube stops hating me I'll load some videos to my youtube channel of some of my choreography.

More Updates! WOOO! Okay, yay, anyway. I got a tattoo! It Is very personal to me because the teal ribbon is the cancer ribbon for Ovarian Cancer. My first dance teacher, Miss Barbra Hughes was diagnosed and passed away in 2003 from ovarian Cancer. She was a huge inspiration in my life and I give credit to her to fostering much of my passion for dance when I was younger. I always feel like shes with me when I am dancing so to commemorate her with my tattoo was very important to me. It also says Let It Be underneath, obviously a Beatles reference, but this song has been my favorite song since I was a little girl and it remains a motto in my life.

Other than these updates, not too much has changed since before. Getting ready to go back to school out at SUNY Brockport, excited to see everyone, and enjoying the summer here at home!

enjoy!

Good Time

So it's been awhile since my last post but I've been dancing everyday as always and the days have kept themselves interesting. Tonight I taught class again, but since I only have one person in my class we just created some fun contemporary choreography to Leroy's "Good Time". It's definitely a song everyone should have on their playlists, It's fun and easy going and good for just about any strengths in dance.

Also recently my youtube account has been acting up so I haven't been able to upload any videos but I'll keep trying and hopefully some choreography will be up soon, including tonight's.

I've also been listening to a lot of different music recently in hopes for some new inspiration. Everyone should definitely check out Sunny Choi, She's a classical Pianist that covers popular songs by artists such as Lady Gaga, Taio Cruz, Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, The Script, Eminem, and so on and so forth. Very beautiful songs with a little fun edge being that you will recognize the songs.

Last but not least, Saturday is NATIONAL DANCE DAY! =] I'm very excited about this, and hopefully will be celebrating in my own way. I hope to go around town on Saturday and randomly break into dance in public spots like parks, sidewalks, maybe even in the grocery store or  by a busy intersection. We'll see if this plan holds true, but regardless it will be an awesome day for everyone, trained dancer or not. Just get up and dance!

Good Luck! and move! ☮

busy days...

So yesterday and today were quite full of dance. Yesterday I took a jazz and tap class at my home studio to kick my butt back into shape. I'm definitely feeling some of those stretches today...

But tonight I taught my contemporary class, and actually taught the same combination to some of the more advanced dancers. I worked with Christina Perri's "Jar of Hearts", a song that I've been working with a lot recently. I really connect to the song because it relates very well to some situations I've been through. It was a lot of fun to challenge some more experienced dancers with some of my favorite moves. Unfortunately I forgot to bring my camera to class so I couldn't film the combination but hopefully I can film it at another class.It was more human than a lot of choreography I've been working on, but I really feel connected to the song and don't want to rush the choreography and just let it flow.

It was an inspiring day in that I found some new music and more ideas are floating around in my head than ever before. I'd really like the opportunity to choreograph a duet and/or a group dance. I feel like I have some new ideas. Regardless that day will come and I'm excited for it!

☮

"I'm a new soul"

I've been working on choreographing a lot of short contemporary combos lately because I'm teaching an intermediate contemporary class this summer. I've really only taught one class (the second week I had to cancel to get x-rays on a beat up arm... eek! [all is well with that though]), but I'm looking forward to the second class and to trying out some new things. The first class I did a simpler combination that was quirky, easy, and hopefully fun for the girls because it was the first week and I was trying to attract some late registers or walk-ins.


I choose to work with Yael Naiim's "New Soul" because you could easily play with the different rhythms, lyrics, and qualities. It was a fun class that I started with a modern dance based warm-up I do at college that is much more individualized than just plain sitting/standing and stretching.


If you want to check out the choreography definitely stop by my youtube page at
http://www.youtube.com/user/Jsect56789
There's a bunch of other stuff I've choreographed on there and a short clip of this choreography should be up soon.

keep dancing ☮

exhaustion...

So although this blog is mainly about my dancing, it's also partly just about my life, which just happens to include pole vaulting. I believe pole vaulting and dance are two very compatible activities. Both use similar movements and both are passions of mine. I've been vaulting since my freshmen year of high school, and I started because of watching my older brother for years. Granted, I've been dancing much longer than I've been pole vaulting but they have both helped me improve in the other.

This weekend I participated in a Beach Vault run by my college pole vaulting coach. It was definitely one of the coolest experiences of my life. You got to vault on a raised runway with a pretty large crowd, most of whom were just coming to the beach for the day and had never seen the sport before. You may not find the whole thing quite as exciting as I did, but it really was amazing. Hopefully the pictures I post work so you can see what I'm talking about...

☮

my 6

1- I can dance everyday, and learn something new every time.

2- I can be unique in a world where similarity is praised and simplicity is questioned.

3- I can create and be something that no one has ever seen before.

4- I can pass on my passion to those willing to accept it- to any open mind.

5- I can decide how I want to live my life and what to fill it with.

-and-

6- I can be successful within the dance industry.



Here they are. What are yours?

i'm Confused...

I’ve always been a fan of Alice in Wonderland. I’ve read the book, seen so many variations, and I really identified with this quote. I feel, as probably many people do, that there are things I want to do with my life that seem impossible. I say why not make the impossible reality? You just have to convince yourself that you can do whatever you want to, even if it seems far fetched. After all, what fun would it be if everything came easy?

I am in the dance industry. And by that I mean I am a dance major, hoping to join said industry. To many it may seem impossible. To me it's just number 6.

"Sometimes I believe in as many as six impossible things before breakfast."

-Alice in Wonderland