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Looking Back

On January 8th, 2020, when the Senior Project was initially assigned in the lecture hall, I

was overwhelmed and anxious, but the one question that continued to circulate in my brain was,

“how do I make my mark at Northgate?” I wanted to help my community in a medium that I was

passionate about, and for me, those two areas were dance and politics. I set out to investigate

how the performing arts had facilitated political action historically and presently. For my project,

I elected to choreograph a piece that was “protest art” of my own for my ballet studio’s annual

Spring Concert. This piece was about our society’s youth taking a stand against political

injustice, showcasing the future of performance activism. I wanted to discover how two subjects

I’m so deeply passionate about worked together to create change, and I wanted to show my

audience how impactful the performing arts can be from a political perspective.

Upon my research for the senior paper, I was inspired by performing artists’ creativity as

pioneers for activism portrayed through the arts. I really connected with the dance activist

“greats”, Martha Graham and Katherine Dunham. These women not only trademarked their own

world-renowned styles of dance, but they also utilized their platform as well-known figures in

the dance community in order to fight against racial discrimination and prejudice. It was so

empowering to learn about these incredible women, and I gathered inspiration for my own piece

through their work, as well.

Before the shelter-in-place was issued, I had two rehearsals with my dancers where I was

able to teach a portion of my choreography. My vision truly came alive through these dancers,

and they were just as excited and invested in this project as I was. I was able to take some videos

of them dancing the choreography, which are now displayed on my digital portfolio, and it gives

me chills everytime. Since those rehearsals were conducted in March, our studio has postponed

our Spring Concert to summer, so hopefully my piece will be able to be showcased at some
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point. My mentor, Jennifer Perry, the director of The Ballet School Performing Arts, has also

been so supportive and insightful throughout this process, and I’m so grateful to have had a

mentor who I am so close with and was able to make this project happen. I have continued to

conduct rehearsals via Zoom with my dancers in preparation for the performance. Though it is

nowhere near as invigorating as being in the studio creating together, it is refreshing to know that

even far apart, we are still able to dance together and carry out my vision.

Along with my choreographed piece, for my community service aspect I had planned on

teaching an after-school dance class at an elementary school in the Mt. Diablo Unified School

District. As a teacher and assistant at my own dance studio, I have seen first-hand that exposing

children to the arts instills a sense of self-confidence and self-expression that is unparalleled to

any other extra-curricular. I was so looking forward to working with these kids and introducing

them to the performing arts, perhaps even introducing them to a new hobby or career. Though I

am heartbroken that I was unable to accomplish this element of my project, I am looking forward

to the day that I can give back to my community in a way that is so special to me.

Obviously, this is not how I envisioned ending my senior year, or how I intended to

“make my mark at Northgate”. However, throughout this process I have learned so much about

myself, the performing arts, and political activism, as well as acquired skills I know I will use for

the rest of my life, such as writing formal letters and communicating effectively with members of

my community. Though I am disappointed I was unable to complete the Senior Project the way I

had imagined, I am so proud of what I did accomplish, and I know I am finishing this process as

a better writer, dancer, student, and person.