Art by Amber Heaton; http://www.amberheaton.com/

From Blog Director Jill Randall:

I am currently pursuing my MFA in Creative Practice in the new low residency program at Saint Mary's College in California. Now with new eyes, I have a deeper appreciation for the advice given to choreographers in the artist profiles each week here on the blog.

I have decided to revisit the past artist profiles from the last 3 years, and will highlight the choreographic advice and inspiration. 

These posts can be enjoyed by dance artists of all ages, and the posts can also be used each week within a college level composition/choreography course to offer current, fresh, real-world advice from artists around the United States.

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From Brooklyn based artist Kate Weare:

What are 3 pieces of advice you want to give to aspiring choreographers?

1. Hold very close to your chest the earliest reasons you danced or cared about dancing. Don’t worry about articulating them out loud – just hold onto them. It’s your source and must be protected.

2. You’ll need a lot of help along the way from everyone around you: lovers, dancers, collaborators, mentors, peers, funders, curators, administrators, fans, family, believers, audience members. Listen earnestly to these people when they support you, slough them off when they don’t. And remember, no one cares about your own work like you do.

3. If you begin to have success you’ll likely experience being characterized from the outside in. This is a mental trap. Try to stay attuned to your own instincts about who you are and your own agenda about what you need as an artist. Opportunities can be pathways or blockages depending on whether or not they support your growth, so saying no can be as important as saying yes.

To read Kate's full artist profile, click here.

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