By: Jovanni Soto
It’s hard to believe that four years here at Juilliard is slowly coming to an end. It’s all so bittersweet. I guess the saying, “Time flies when you’re having fun,” is accurate. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Juilliard. Sure it started out a little rough, not being use to such a rigorous schedule or living away from home for the first time, but over the years I have become quite fond of Juilliard and its community. I guess the question now is, What's Going to happen post graduation?
As many of my fellow classmates begin to prepare for what's to come post graduation, it's hard to imagine where we will all end up. Being at Juilliard your exposed to so many dance techniques, choreography styles, and companies that at times you find yourself battling with what you want to dive into next. Many of my fellow classmates walked into Juilliard with a certain goal or aspiration as to where we wanted to end up and are now leaving Juilliard wanting something completely different.
As many of my fellow classmates begin to prepare for what's to come post graduation, it's hard to imagine where we will all end up. Being at Juilliard your exposed to so many dance techniques, choreography styles, and companies that at times you find yourself battling with what you want to dive into next. Many of my fellow classmates walked into Juilliard with a certain goal or aspiration as to where we wanted to end up and are now leaving Juilliard wanting something completely different.
I walked into Juilliard in 2011 with the goal of joining a professional dance company. I intended on taking every learning experience and performance opportunity to help mold myself into the dancer I wanted to be so that when this moment came I would be auditioning and working for either Complexions Contemporary Ballet or Cedar Lake Contemporary ballet after graduation. Throughout my years at Juilliard I also was taking hip-hop and street jazz classes at Broadway Dance Center. It was in these classes that I began realizing that there are so many other styles of dance that I am great at. Since then my goals have drastically shifted in directions. Although I have a strong passion for concert dance and cherish every moment I've been at Juilliard, I've decided that after graduation I want to purse dance as a commercial dancer and sign with a top commercial dance agency in both New York City and Los Angles.
As everyone begins and continues to audition for companies and agencies mixed emotions are stirring as were all feeling extremely anxious, nervous, and excited at the same time. The biggest challenge for us at the moment is how to mentally and physically prepare ourselves for what's to come without taking away or distracting us from the wonderful few months we still have left with each other. I hope that we will all continue to dive into our dreams head first, as everything we have experienced has given us a new sense of confidence and pride in our artistry. As we enter in a chapter in our lives I know that we will all do amazing things whether that be performing, teaching or choreographing and I wish my fellow classmates and all graduating students my very best.
Below you will find statements from members of the Senior Class and there plans post graduation:
"Post graduation I want to continue my career in the ballet world. I love doing pointe work and very much want to continue with it while my body can still handle It." -Solana Temple
"I want to work on Broadway as well as freelance" -Emily Tate
"Post Graduation I will be joining a concert dance contemporary company, Les Ballet Jazz in Montréal. I am excited to tour and perform around the world with the hopes of a wide range of performance opportunities and ventures in the years to come." -Gemma Freitas
"I want to work commercially, join the Rockettes, Work on Broadway, and freelance as well." -Tara Langdon
"Would love to join a mixed repertory company where she can dance both classical and contemporary works." -Amelia Sturt-Dilley
"My ultimate goal is to be part of a contemporary company that works with both repertoire and creative process. I am also interested in independent dance projects, film and commercial work." - Olivia Frasco
As everyone begins and continues to audition for companies and agencies mixed emotions are stirring as were all feeling extremely anxious, nervous, and excited at the same time. The biggest challenge for us at the moment is how to mentally and physically prepare ourselves for what's to come without taking away or distracting us from the wonderful few months we still have left with each other. I hope that we will all continue to dive into our dreams head first, as everything we have experienced has given us a new sense of confidence and pride in our artistry. As we enter in a chapter in our lives I know that we will all do amazing things whether that be performing, teaching or choreographing and I wish my fellow classmates and all graduating students my very best.
Below you will find statements from members of the Senior Class and there plans post graduation:
"Post graduation I want to continue my career in the ballet world. I love doing pointe work and very much want to continue with it while my body can still handle It." -Solana Temple
"I want to work on Broadway as well as freelance" -Emily Tate
"Post Graduation I will be joining a concert dance contemporary company, Les Ballet Jazz in Montréal. I am excited to tour and perform around the world with the hopes of a wide range of performance opportunities and ventures in the years to come." -Gemma Freitas
"I want to work commercially, join the Rockettes, Work on Broadway, and freelance as well." -Tara Langdon
"Would love to join a mixed repertory company where she can dance both classical and contemporary works." -Amelia Sturt-Dilley
"My ultimate goal is to be part of a contemporary company that works with both repertoire and creative process. I am also interested in independent dance projects, film and commercial work." - Olivia Frasco