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!