Research, Teaching, & Engagement | OVMDancing-Portfolio

I love to take dance outside of the studio and theater setting. Here are a few snapshots of my research, community engagement and teaching experiences:

Honors Thesis: Ballet History Through a Queer Lens

CSU Honors Program

Researching and writing an in-depth research paper on queer expression throughout ballet history
Design of an online resource (www.queerballethistory.org) to ensure that this research is as accessible as possible
Collaborating with Kristianne Johnson to present "Undergraduate Perspectives on Queering Ballet" at NDEO 2025
Utilizing my research to inform the choreographic and artistic of Memory, Text, Record, a capstone choreography project

Photo by Michelle Myers

Photo by Grace Gallagher

Dance Repertory: Community Engagement

Honors Option Project

Creating pop-up performances in the Fort Collins Community
Choreographing and performing Resonant Body lecture/demo
Touring Colorado to perform and teach in local schools and community centers

Laurel Elementary Dance Program

Intern, Fall 2023

Teaching dance lessons to 1st grade students while incorporating social/emotional learning topics
Creating original, grade appropriate lesson plans that cover creative movement and cultural dances
Presenting about the program and SEL at NDEO

Photo by Lisa Morgan

Photo by Dr. Nikolai Attai

Ghana: Youth Development and Transnational Solidarity

Study Abroad Experience

Exchanging dance choreography with Ghanaian youth in Nima-Mamobi and performers at the National Theater of Ghana
Developing a transnational perspective on youth development, gender and sexuality issues, race, and solidarity
Synthesizing and presenting my experience in my Ghana Testimonio

Movement Through Parenthood

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Teaching emotional availability-informed dance workshops to study participants
Revising study materials with a focus on inclusive language
Authoring proposals for various conference presentations, including NDEO
Rehearsing and performing choreography inspired by research intents and results