Each week following an artist's post, reflection questions and research ideas will get posted. These are aimed towards college level courses (senior seminar, composition, dance education, and more), but of course anyone can read the postscript and find thought-provoking questions and activities.

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Performing, Success, and Careers in Modern Dance

Carrie wrote this passage in her artist profile:

…five years after graduating from UWSP, I began to discover that I did not have the love for performing like I thought that I would or needed to have. I began to focus more on my own choreography and trying to gain more exposure. Additionally, I found my love for teaching in public and private schools and slowly taught less in dance studios.

In a college course, take some time to unpack these words. In 2014, is performing still what we hold to be the goal of a "real" modern dancer? Why or why not? What weight do we give – or can we give – to choreographing, teaching, and other roles within modern dance? Can this be a "yes, and" conversation instead of "either/or?" Who do we turn to as examples, inspiration, and role models?

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