By Raven Crosby, Emory Dance Program Office Assistant
I recently had the opportunity to interview our new faculty member Angela Harris, who is teaching for the Emory Dance Program this spring. Harris, who began training at an early age, received most of her dance education from The Baltimore School for the Arts (a performing arts high school in Baltimore, MD). In the summers she attended programs at the Eglevsky Ballet (NY), School of the Hartford Ballet (CT), and Dance Theatre of Harlem (NYC). She continued her training in college and attended Mercyhurst College (PA) for two years, majoring in dance, before transferring to City College of New York, where she trained at STEPS on Broadway, [WA2] on a full ballet scholarship. While in college, Harris trained professionally with Urban Ballet Theater, a contemporary ballet company. Immediately after graduation, Harris was hired by Columbia City Ballet in South Carolina,then moved to Atlanta and joined The Georgia Ballet.
When asked when Harris decided that she wanted to be a dancer or choreographer she responded as follows: “I actually knew pretty early on that I wanted to be a choreographer. When I was young, I always found myself creating dances in my bedroom, and I knew that I wanted the chance to create on other dancers. My high school gave us an opportunity every year to have our choreography juried for a final grade. I also knew that it would be harder to be seriously considered as a ballet choreographer, if I did not have experience as a professional dancer. So, I pursued a performing career as a dancer, as well.”
As a choreographer, Harris’ work is ballet driven. She takes a neo-classical approach when creating new pieces, while also drawing from other genres in her dance background such as modern, jazz, and African. Her music selections influence her process:“I am heavily inspired by the music that I select, even though I do not choreograph ‘to the music’ most of the time. I use the music to create the atmosphere and help highlight my intention.”
Harris has taken her passion for choreography a step further by creating Dance Canvas in 2008. Dance Canvas is a non-profit arts organization providing opportunities and resources for emerging professional choreographers. Each year eight to ten dance artists are selected and introduced to the community of professional dance in Atlanta and given the platform to create new work and showcase it to audiences. This year eight new works will debut are March 20-21at the Ferst Center for the Arts. Harris describes the program as follows “It’s a way to showcase the diverse professional dance talent that call Atlanta home.” For the past two seasons, Emory Dance Program alumni have been selected to present works and this season, Katie Messina's work will be presented.
Harris is teaching Ballet I and one Ballet II courses this semester for the Emory Dance Program. In Harris’ Ballet I courses students are focusing on the technical steps and understanding the principles of ballet, as well as learning to appreciate the art form. In her Ballet II course they have are working on strength, flexibility and alignment. Harris loves how “All of the students are so eager to learn, and it makes teaching a pleasure. I am thrilled to be a part of the Emory Dance faculty this semester.”
Harris, who has been in the Atlanta area for a while ended the interview by providing advice to dancers who are aspiring to be a full time artist. Her words are as follows:
“My advice to all aspiring professional dancers is to stay in class...never stop being a student. Also, try to find choreographers you want to work with and take their classes. Most of the jobs I have had have come to me through word of mouth vs. auditioning. Grow your network, build your technical skills,travel as much as you can and see dance in other cities/countries, find mentors,and work hard! Maintaining a full-time career in the dance profession is sometimes difficult to navigate, but it can be incredibly fulfilling.”
