When guests come to our classrooms the excitement is palpable. Students have followed these artists' careers and are hungry for the industry knowledge they can provide. A hands-on workshop, stories about working as an artist, learning choreography from a new teacher, these experiences leave a lasting impression on students' minds.
There isn't just one way to be a dancer. Career exploration and readiness is a pillar of the Department of Dance. Dancers learn not only how to dance, but how to map out their personal path through the dance community. Guest residencies bring these paths to life for students who are just finding their place.
The founder of the Clara L. Gamble Special Projects in Dance Endowment knew how important these networking opportunities are for our students. The generous anonymous donation will continue to allow the Department of Dance to enrich the student experience with visits from professionals in the dance world and expand upon our current roster of visiting artists.
Naming this fund for Clara Gamble is a particularly appropriate connection for the dance professor. From 1966 to 1990 she was a major influence on the selection of guest artists brought to Kalamazoo. The residencies Gamble curated brought Cori Terry to the area and eventually led to the development of Wellspring Theatre. Gamble has been an avid supporter of modern dance and arts in the area for decades. She was a constant force in the dance program at WMU during its transition from a concentration area with the Department of Physical Education for Women to a separate Department of Dance in the College of Fine Arts.
The Special Projects fund was used this January to bring in Dance graduate Marlo Martin as a guest. Martin graduated from Western Michigan University with a BFA in Dance and moved to Seattle in 2003. She is the founder and Artistic Director of many studios including eXit SPACE and theNEST. She chooses to teach and create work in diverse communities as well as create opportunities for other artists, teachers, and students to thrive. Her connection to the Dance program is strengthened because she is genuinely interested in supporting and nurturing fellow artists. Dance students got to learn from someone who is an expert at developing forums for the exploration and presentation of dance.
The experience of working with such an accomplished dancer was invigorating for the dancers. “She gave a totally different perspective on taking a class in general,” said Abbie Wisusik. “And really stressed the importance of taking risks and supporting one another as artists.” Guests like Marlo Martin connect students to their why and encourage them to follow their dreams.
Creating these amazing experiences for years to come takes dedication from our community. You can support the Clara L. Gamble Special Projects in Dance Endowment by donating online here.