The art of movement
and body awareness
I began training in dance at the age of 13 as a high
school elective. By my second year of
training I was in love. It helped that I
had an inspiring and encouraging teacher at that point whom was Mary Bonasera
Matthews. At NBHS we were lucky enough
to have the arts at our fingertips, which I of course took full advantage of.
I’ve had several
teachers and classes since then. Here I
am 23 years later still in love with dance.
My training expanded from jazz and modern dance to ballet, African, tap,
flamenco, hip hop, funk, pointe, clogging, folk, ballroom, dance team,
choreography, improvisation and composition, performance, stage & lighting,
sound, teaching dance, and dance history.
I’ve also studied Body-Mind Centering, Authentic Movement, Dance
Kinesiology, Anatomy & Body Fundamentals, Body/Mind Stretch,
Hatha/Bikram/Kundalini Yoga, tae kwon do, Tai Chi, and pilates.
I have performed
throughout Oregon from the Oregon Coast to Portland. I’ve been in several dance companies
including my own as well in Oregon. I’ve
lost count but I’ve choreographed at least 200 dances which also included
movement for musical theater, a local band that I danced in, recitals, dance
troupes and a dinner theater musical in which I sang, acted, and danced in
Eugene.
Although unable to
attend due to cost I was accepted twice to California Institute of the Arts
with the largest scholarship the college offered. My second audition was hopes of a better
financial circumstance but again unable to make it happen. I’ve studied dance at many studios in Oregon
primarily being at Pacific School of Dance for most of my training, as well as
colleges including PCC, LCC, and U of O.
My most influential experiences being at LCC and Pacific School of Dance
along with my foundation with NBHS modern dance dept and that instructor’s
lifetime support.
With all my allies
of training in body awareness, movement arts & body therapies along with
dance I’ve come home in my own body. I
understand pain and obstacles and have risen to meet the challenges they
offer. This is why I understand my place
in the dance world. I’m supposed to be
dancing. It’s integral to my whole
being.
My training
locally as fore mentioned was at NBHS and Pacific School of Dance which also
included being in the Dance Umbrella Repertory Company. I was privileged to get most of my training
here and was able to be a TA at NBHS and Lane Community College. I
received the opportunity to cadet teach, give private lessons, as well
as sub and teach my own classes at Pacific School of Dance. Locally I was a Student of Merit for the
Fine Arts- Performing OSAA in 1993 at
NBHS as well as a talent grant student at LCC in 2000/2001. I’ve gotten recognition as most improved
dance student at LCC. I’ve finally come
into acknowledging my progress for the fact that it has developed me as an
artist and made me who I am today. I am
thankful for my roots and feel that it is imperative to support each other as a
community and as artists rather than compete.
Sky’s the limit in the art of movement and body awareness.
Joyel M Moore
