Final Reflections

 

 

1

Invaluable Life Skills

Aidan Murphy 

Throughout my college career, I’ve taken a variety of classes that have pushed me intellectually, but very few that challenged me in the way Dance 190 did. While I’ve previously taken a dance class that focused more on lectures, history, and critical reviews, Dance 190 stood out because of its fully immersive and experiential approach. Instead of reading about movement or analyzing performances from a distance, we participated in the process. The emphasis was on learning through doing, such as engaging with movement, rhythm, and improvisation firsthand. For the first several weeks, I felt slightly out of place—not because the content was overwhelming, but because the learning environment was so different from what I was used to. It took me time to adjust. My academic background is largely rooted in lecture-based classes, where I’ve become accustomed to sitting, listening, taking notes, and studying in a structured way. Dance 190 flipped that model on its head. Here, I had to be physically present and open to a new form of expression that didn’t come with a rubric or a multiple-choice test. Instead of searching for the "right answer," I had to explore what movement felt natural and meaningful to me. Initially, this lack of structure felt intimidating, but as the semester progressed, I began to lean into the discomfort and understand that it was part of the process. Having previously taken a class with Professor Morejon, I had some familiarity with his style and expectations, which helped ease my transition into the course. As the weeks passed, I went from feeling hesitant and shy to gradually becoming more confident, expressive, and comfortable in the studio space.

One of the most significant takeaways from this course was the power of improvisation, not just as a dance technique, but as a mindset that can be applied across all areas of life. Improvisation teaches you to trust your instincts, make decisions in real-time, and stay composed even when things don’t go according to plan. These are not only essential qualities for dance but invaluable life skills. As someone who plans to pursue a career in law, I see immense value in what I learned in this class. The legal field, particularly litigation, often requires quick thinking, adaptability, and the ability to respond with clarity and confidence under pressure. Whether presenting an argument in court, responding to an unexpected objection, or thinking strategically in the moment, improvisational thinking is key. Dance 190 helped strengthen that skill in a creative, unexpected way. 

Moreover, this course helped me better understand the importance of being comfortable in uncomfortable settings. Growth rarely happens when we remain in our comfort zones. Dance 190 allowed me to do just that. It reminded me that vulnerability can be a source of strength and that stepping into an unfamiliar space can lead to meaningful personal development. This mindset will stay with me long after the class is over, whether I’m entering a courtroom, collaborating on a complex case, or simply navigating the challenges of a professional career. The lessons I learned about presence, adaptability, and self-awareness will continue to shape my approach to both personal and professional challenges. The lessons I learned, especially around improvisation and personal expression, will serve me well in my journey to becoming a lawyer and in life more broadly. This class taught me to think on my feet, both literally and figuratively, and I am truly grateful for that.

 

 

2
 

 Let Go of What We Think and Just Do

George Dipp  

 

 

I like to live life like Dory, I just keep swimming. Movement is very important to me in all aspects of my life including physically, mentally, and emotionally. I am always searching for something new to help me grow as a person, but I never suspected that dance could be an avenue for such deep personal development. 

Improvisation has taught me more about myself than I could have ever imagined. The stretching and dancing aspects of the course have helped me move my body in ways I’ve never attempted before, and the analysis of those movements gave me a much deeper understanding of my subconscious mind. The greatest quality improv helped me achieve was a higher level of self-confidence and expression. This happened because I learned that most people are so concerned with themselves, there’s no reason to worry about if they’re judging you. Overall, I was able to take-away a lot of amazing concepts from this course.

The learning process to achieve such a high level of introspection wasn’t always easy though. It was honestly scary performing in front of a large group of my peers, and at times even I felt embarrassed. However, as time went on and I grew more comfortable the class became extremely freeing and enjoyable. Towards the end I was even trying to encourage others to escape their shells and find the joy I was experiencing. The learning process was difficult, but nothing in life worth doing is easy.

Dance might not have an extremely high correlation to my studies of real estate, but I will definitely use what I learned in improv moving forward. Self-confidence and intrapersonal skills are extremely important in my field, so my growth in both of these due to the class will help me immensely in the future. I believe that you get what you give out of life, and because I gave this class my all it gave me tools that I will use the rest of my life. In addition to these intangible assets, the lessons I was given in stretching will help me pursue a healthier body as well.

Sometimes in life we need to just dance. I think people get so caught up in their own heads they forget to let their bodies and instincts lead. Technology has led to us being so afraid to be judged we forget how to live, have fun, and enjoy the moment. This course helped me get back those feelings of childlike fun, and reminded me that sometimes it’s important to just let go of what we think and just do.

 

 

3

People Express Themselves

Ny Carr

I would say reflecting on this class as a college student athlete playing football that growth and looking for ways of improving my life are always something that I need. I did not really expect this improvisation class to be able to challenge me physically and mentally the way it did. Learning how to move in a way that is not controlled like on the football field when I practice and do off-season workouts was very interesting because there is a learning curve for this that I had to adapt to. 

I wasn't the most comfortable at going through this whole process at first, but the more I went through, the greater I appreciated it and found an understanding for it. Improvisation is just about being present and not trying to overthink anything. So the biggest takeaway for me was understanding how people express themselves through this form of movement and having the confidence to understand that you won't know how to do everything perfectly at first. 

Being able to just show up and focus on the things you can control and put your best foot forward is very important whatever you do in life, especially when you don't have a familiar background. It's something like this.

 

 

 

4

 

Trusting the Process

 

Isabella Almodovar

Taking this class has taught me not only about improvisation, but also about the art of mindfulness. Over the course of the semester, I learned that improv is fluid, it can be anything you want it to be. While there are various techniques and methods that can be incorporated, improv is really about tuning your body and mind into the present moment. True focus doesn’t come from intense thinking, but from the ability to quiet the mind and fully engage with what’s in front of you. Practicing mindfulness became a key takeaway for me, as it helped me to let go, step out of my constant stream of thoughts, and allow my body to move freely without judgment.

The learning process wasn’t easy at first. It was uncomfortable to move without choreography and simply listen to what my body wanted to do. Without music, counts, or direction, I struggled to find where to begin. But over time, I learned to trust myself more. Slowly, I started moving with intention, focusing less on my thoughts and more on how I felt in the moment.

When I think about how I’ll apply these takeaways to the field of marketing, mindfulness is the first thing that comes to mind. The self-awareness I developed through improv can be incredibly helpful in the fast-paced, often unpredictable world of marketing. Learning to step outside of my comfort zone, embrace spontaneity, and stay grounded in the moment will help me navigate challenges and find my rhythm in a professional setting.

Overall, this class reminded me that creativity flourishes when we give ourselves the freedom to explore without fear. Whether on the dance floor or in a brainstorming session, tuning into the present and trusting the process will always lead to more authentic, inspired results.

 

 

 

5

The Importance of Creative Thinking

 

Kyle Jordan

I never would have thought that improvisation would teach me so much about myself. I have been able to move my body in ways I have never tried before thanks to the stretching and dance components of the course. This course was immersive and took on a hands-on approach as we engaged in the process rather than reading about movement or watching performances. By experiencing movement, rhythm, and improvisation firsthand, it added a deeper understanding on why we do this and the importance of creative thinking. Stretching helped reduce any muscle tension and stiffness I had along with  better posture and more mental clarity to help me get through the rest of my day. I started to accept the discomfort and realize that it was a necessary part of the process. Movement does not need to be perfect or planned in order to send a message as this is a way of representing how you feel. 

During this class I felt timid at the beginning because dancing is something I am not used to doing, but creating moves on the spot made it even more challenging over time. After learning techniques like staccato, chaos, and flow I began to become more confident in my abilities. Because of this I started to enjoy the freedom of making movements on the spot. I was able to find an inner rhythm and connect with others while sharing the space. Every class presented me with another opportunity to create more movement patterns. Throughout the learning process, I observed that people are afraid of being judged by others when expressing themselves with movement when in reality no one is actually judging you.

As someone who is getting into health care, specifically into the field of orthopedics, what I learned from physicians is the importance of movement in older populations and postoperative patients. Improvisation allows people to have a full range of motion to maintain full mobility and prevent stiffness along with increased blood circulation and better lung function. Additionally, this course helped me expand my mindset and helped me become a better thinker and improved my creative thinking for any project or if I need to come up with a solution or idea on the spot.

 

6

 A Weight-lift Off of My Shoulders

 Hannah Mackie

Some of the main take-aways from this course was to let go of concerns about others’ judgement and to let loose. I struggle a lot in my daily life with anxiety of all types. One of my main problems is worrying about what others think of me constantly. I like to be a people pleaser and I always feel like I have to fit in so I’m constantly worrying about other people’s perceptions of me. The biggest thing I learned from this course is that you don’t have to worry about that. Most people are afraid to step outside of their comfort zone, but that doesn’t mean that you should confine yourself. I felt so much more free and at ease in class when we all were just letting loose and allowing our bodies to move in any way, shape or form. It was very refreshing and coming to class each day was like a weight-lift off of my shoulders. I released so much stress from my other classes and could just be myself. I want to carry that with me throughout life and into other aspects.

I felt like learning in this class was easy. Not everyone had prior dance experience-I had very minimal. But, I felt like you did a good job meeting everyone at the level that they were at and encouraging them to participate in even the slightest way. I think this created an environment that was very comforting and felt like we could be ourselves without judgement. I understood all of the lessons because of the extensive demonstration. It made it easier to understand words that I may not have known or concepts that I originally didn’t fully understand. Taking the time to move with us and show us individually what you meant, was very helpful to my understanding. Additionally, I really liked how we had both collaborative elements in the class as well as individual elements. While the individual portions were scary, meeting everyone in our group work and collaborating with them made performing in front of the class less intimidating. I think that added camaraderie and comfortability to the class as a whole. 

I am going to take what I have learned from this class and use it moving forward. I want to work in sports broadcasting, although I don’t know if I want to be on-air yet. However, if I do decide to work on-air, I will use improvisation techniques to prepare me to pivot if mistakes are made and not to panic. I also want to start incorporating improv dance into my daily routine more. I think that it’s a good stress reliever for me and a way to let my body stretch and move, which I don’t think I do enough of. By adding a day or two throughout the week where I can just go and move freely either with music or without, I think will help clear my headspace. I also want to carry with me into my professional life to let go of pleasing others' expectations. I think I did a good job in class of just performing without worrying about how I looked to the rest of the class, and I want to use that going forward to calm myself down before presentations and other work-related settings. 

 

 

 

7

 What Comes Top of Mind

Kylie Cutler

After taking this course, I have begun to see the parallels between dance (more specifically, improvisation) and life. Until this class, I did not realize the extent of connection you can make. In life things will not always go as expected and you will need to act on your toes and based on your previous experiences and what comes to your mind. Just like this class we were given the tools throughout the semester to creatively think outside of the box/norm when it comes to dance and for our final projects with this we could use it all in the back of our heads but play music and dance based on what comes top of mind. This is something I will continue to take with me beyond dance and a strong skill to have.

Throughout the class we were forced to push outside of the norm. I have taken many dance classes before but the stuff we did in this class was different than what I was used to and pushed me to think in a more creative way. From the chaos dance style to clown I felt like this class pushed the normal boundaries and opened my eyes to new styles of dancing.

The takeaways that I gained from this class will help me when I move into the business world. From interviewing and learning how to think on my feet when asked questions to thinking outside of the box when I am working on my work. I will always try to push myself to think more creatively and beyond what is typically expected and seen. Overall this class will be helpful as I move into my future professional experiences.

 

 

 

 8

Communicating through Body Movement and Expression

 

Phoebe Evans

There were many key takeaways from this course for me. While it was not my first time dancing, it was my first time taking an improvisation class. Growing up in gymnastics and taking part in a dance company in high school, I have always been used to choreography and precision. One thing I have learned from this class is that perfection is not always the goal. Sometimes it's more about the growing process and learning your own style, rather than the set of moves made up by someone else. Going with the flow and letting my body roam freely has never been something I have been good at. However, by the end of this class I felt confident when getting up in front of the class for a whole minute and letting my body move the way it felt to the music. I also learned the importance of communication through dance and expression. I have always been an academic and I plan on going to law school after graduation. Reading and writing has always been a strength of mine. However, in improvisation, you have no words or style of written communication. Both the message and your feelings have to be communicated through body movement and expression. This was new for me, but as I started to do it more, it became more natural. Additionally, sometimes choreography can constrain the expression with a structure of how you are supposed to move. Through improvisation I learned that sometimes the best way to express is to let your instincts and body do the talking. 

The learning process for this course was never linear. There were some days where I felt I excelled, such as the flow unit. There were other days where I felt challenged such as the shape or staccato units. However, I learned to accept that learning is almost never linear, and it's natural to go through ups and downs. The more important detail was that I always felt comfortable enough to try and experiment. After getting to know my classmates and the way each of them danced, it became easier to let my walls down and feel comfortable putting my all into the learning process. By the end of the semester, I can say with certainty that I have improved in the art of improvisation, even if it wasn't a straight line to getting here.

A lot of the things I have learned throughout the class can be applied to the field of law and politics. For example, the law can be very strict and precise, but the way you decide to attack an argument is not at all about perfection. Just like in dance, every situation and every move you make requires you to trust your instincts but also be creative and think outside the box. The most striking and convincing arguments are the ones which may not be perfect, but rather creative and thoughtful. Additionally, this field, like many others, requires a lot of collaboration with all kinds of people. This class taught me a lot about group collaboration. We had people in the class and in our groups with zero dance experience, and at the same time people that have been dancing their whole life. It was a very broad spectrum of experience. However, each person, no matter their experience, brought something unique to the group. This ultimately made performances as well as the learning experience better. This can be applied to the legal field as well. Lawyers and clients will come from all over the place with all kinds of different perspectives and ideas. What is important is collaborating and tying all those great ideas together to create one unified front.         

Overall, I greatly enjoyed this class and I learned so much about myself. I will take what I have learned and apply it to everything I do moving forward. 

 

 

9

 Learning to Trust my Body’s Intuition

Ciara Schweitzer

Taking a dance improvisation class as someone who grew up as a dancer was a refreshing and eye-opening experience. While I came into the course with a decent technical foundation, improvisation challenged me to let go of structure and embrace spontaneity. One of my biggest takeaways was learning to trust my body’s intuition and allow movement to arise organically, rather than always being dictated by choreography. I also gained a deeper appreciation for presence, listening—both to music and to fellow dancers—and the power of vulnerability in performance.

Throughout the learning process, I felt a mix of curiosity, freedom, and at times, discomfort—which I now recognize as growth. Letting go of perfection and embracing the unknown pushed me outside my comfort zone in the best way. There was a unique sense of community in the class, where each dancer’s individual expression was respected and celebrated. This created a safe space that made it easier to take creative risks and explore new ways of moving without fear of judgment.

As a psychology major preparing for a future in the medical field, particularly as a physician assistant, the lessons from this course have surprising relevance. Improvisation taught me to stay present in the moment, to respond intuitively, and to adapt quickly—skills that are essential in patient care and clinical settings. Additionally, the emphasis on listening and nonverbal communication in dance has parallels in understanding patients’ emotional and physical cues, which often go unspoken but are deeply meaningful.

Overall, this course reminded me of the importance of flexibility—not just in movement, but in mindset. Dance improvisation gave me a space to reconnect with the joy of movement, deepen my self-awareness, and carry those lessons beyond the studio. Whether in the dance world or in a hospital room, the ability to listen, adapt, and move with purpose is something I’ll carry with me always.

 

 

10 

Tools that Go Far Beyond the Classroom

 

Fisher Tilson

Throughout the semester, we have learned about the many different types of improvisation within dance. Not only have we learned the benefits that come from it while dancing, but also the benefits that we get mentally. I have learned a lot not only about how to dance, but about myself as the semester went on in this class. Through this paper, I will be going into detail about what I have learned.

            Taking an improvisation of dance class was truly an eye opening experience that taught me more than just the movement. One of the biggest takeaways from the course was the importance of listening to my body and what is around me. This class challenged me to let go of my insecurities when dancing and just go with the rhythm. I learned how the movement and emotions of my body can be a powerful form of communication, and that truly expressing myself through improvisation can be a creative expression of my emotions.

            During this process, I felt a range of emotions. This range included excitement, vulnerability, and even growth. At first, it felt intimidating and quite awkward to dance in front of a bunch of strangers in a group setting. As the semester went on, I began to feel more comfortable with just going up and dancing without a plan. The classroom became a space where there was no wrong ideas or movements, but rather a new way to move your body without thinking. By the end of the semester, I felt confident in my ability to not only dance, but my ability to respond in a create way to new situations.

            Being able to take these ideas throughout my experience is a huge part of this class. As a student in Sports Administration, I can already apply what I learned from this class into my day to day. For example, improvisation as taught me how to think on my feel when doing contract negotiations in other classes that I have. The ability to read a situation, collaborate effectively, and respond with a creative approach helps with my problem solving. Overall, this course has given me tools that go far beyond the classroom.

            In conclusion, dance improvisation was much more than just a dance class, it was an environment that I could grow emotionally and mentally. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and into a space where I can let loose. I can strongly say that I will walk away from this class with a stronger sense of who I am and with new values to carry into my future. 

 

 

11

 

Dance is a Huge Part of my Life 

 

Kayla Humphrey

This course has taught me a lot. I took away valuable lessons on how to freely express myself in life without fear of judgement from others. Because really what matters is how you express yourself and what matters to you. It doesn't matter how you think others perceive you just express how your body moves.

I felt free in this class. Like I could openly be myself and it's a great feeling. Learning how to tune into your inner self and body is very important. It helps ground you and prepare for the future. I helps you prep your body and mind for the future too. Especially in a world that needs creativity and where many sit at a desk all day.

In my future job and endeavors I feel like I will tune into the spiritual and expressional freedom I learned in this class. Professor you have truly added so much to my life and I have a new perspective on things that I didn't have before. I carry each conversation with me and every class time; and this journey through my minor meant so much to me. Thank you again.

12

Letting Go of fear and Judgment

 

Jackson Yan

  The dance improvisation course has been a transformative experience, reshaping my understanding of movement, creativity, and self-expression. My biggest take-aways include learning to trust my instincts, embracing spontaneity, and discovering new ways to communicate through my body. I also gained a deeper awareness of space, rhythm, and the connection between emotion and movement. Most importantly, I learned that improvisation is not just about "making things up"—it’s about listening, responding, and being fully present in the moment.

The learning process was both liberating and challenging. At first, I felt self-conscious and hesitant, unsure of how to move without predetermined steps. However, as I engaged in exercises like contact improvisation, guided prompts, and group collaborations, I gradually let go of fear and judgment. There were moments of frustration when my mind tried to control my body, but there were also breakthroughs where movement flowed naturally, and I felt truly connected to the art. Each class pushed me out of my comfort zone, helping me to apply these improvisation skills in many ways. In dance, I can use them to develop more organic choreography or adapt to unexpected moments on stage. 

In conclusion, this course has not only improved my technical and artistic skills but also changed how I approach movement and creativity. The challenges I faced helped me break through mental barriers, and the joy of spontaneous expression has reignited my passion for dance. Moving forward, I will carry these lessons with me, using improvisation as a tool for innovation, connection, and fearless self-discovery.

 

13 

Consistent Stretching and Movement.

Lucy Leventhal

Dance Improvisation has been a unique and unexpected highlight of my academic journey. This course challenged me in ways I am not used to in my typical classrooms. Having never taken a dance class, I was taught to embrace uncertainty and step outside of my comfort zone as I explored a new medium of self expression. Prior to this course, I had never had to dance for others and the idea of it made me nervous. However, as the semester progressed, I became more comfortable with expressing myself through dance as I became more in tune with my own rhythm. Furthermore, being told to avoid looking in the mirror helped my progress a lot as I wasn’t focusing on what my movements looked like, but rather how it felt to do them. Additionally, a big takeaway I have from this class is the importance of consistent stretching and movement. As the semester progressed, I found the warmup stretches becoming easier and more natural as my flexibility and balance improved. This is something I will continue to prioritize even after this course comes to an end.

Throughout my time in this course, my preexisting interpretation of dance has been expanded as I have been challenged to look at the art of dance through a variety of exercises and lenses. At the beginning of the semester, I frequently relied on traditional dance moves created by others. However, as we explored different levels, themes, and variations, I learned how dance can take many different forms and a simple motion can be built into an entire choreography. This helped me realize that even though I had no prior dance experience like some of my classmates, I could still create meaningful and expressive dances. Furthermore, translating more abstract concepts such as animal energies, emotions, and shapes allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of how dance can be uniquely used to communicate and express oneself. Over the course of the semester, I have grown increasingly comfortable with dance improvisation as I have learned that dance looks different to each of us and there is no right or wrong way to express yourself through dance. 

While dance improvisation might not seem to have much correlation with my fields of study in marketing, finance, and legal studies, I have learned valuable lessons that can be applied in my future classes and career. Overall, this class has greatly improved my ability to think flexibly and make quick, creative decisions. I believe that this will be a valuable skill moving forward as I will have to respond in dynamic situations and make decisions under pressure. Furthermore, this class has helped me to develop a deeper understanding of others, as we have practiced interpreting each other’s movements. Through exercises we’ve done such as exploring our partner’s negative space, I have learned how to work cohesively with others even when we are doing things that do not seem to align. Dance improvisation has taught me valuable lessons in self expression, adaptability, and collaboration.

14

Free-Expression

Taylor Broutin

 

I am going to be discussing today my time and experience taking dance-improvisation this semester. I will be discussing my takeaways from the course, and how I felt during the learning process in our dance class. I will then explain how I can incorporate this course into my field of studies and my future endeavors.

            To start off, I had several key take-aways from this course. First would be that of free- expression. What I mean by that is that I learned in this course you are free to express yourself however you may seem particularly fit, by incorporating it into a dance routine, as expression was often focused on in this course. I also took away that of, level-changing in dance routines. I mean particularly about how it is important to constantly incorporate different levels into dance, so it is not boring and just fully upright the entire time. Lastly, I’d say that I took away some new stretches that will help with my overall flexibility if I incorporate them into my daily routine as we did in every class this semester.

            Now, as far as how I felt during the  learning process of this course, I would have to say I felt very comfortable. I would say that because I did not feel as if people were judging people on their abilities, and I felt it was ultimately a very chill and inclusive environment. I felt everyone was able to improve their skills and their overall movement ability throughout this semester of doing dance. I would ultimately say that the process of learning was well taught and organized as we gradually advanced our movements as time went on, and no one was left behind in the dust as the class progressed.

            After taking this course, there are multiple ways in which I can apply what I’ve learned in my future as well as with my field of studies. I can apply the dancing to my field of studies by taking what I have learned as far as dance and incorporating it on the dance floor should I go out while traveling abroad or going out with colleagues in the future for work or school events. I can also incorporate the stretching that I learned from this course, into my everyday schedule, so that I remain flexible and am still feeling young, as I get older. This will help me prevent my body from aching when I am a lot older.

            To conclude, this was a very beneficial course that has helped better myself as a person for many years to come. I am so grateful that I was able to be a part of this class, and have the wonderful experience that I did, all while getting better at the same time.

 

 

 

15

 Life is Just one Big Improvisation

 

Alyssa Longo 

     From this course I’ve learned how to get out of my own head and just be in the moment. Energy is stored in the body so if you’re not in the moment it can effect how your body moves, especially your balance. I’ve also learned new ways to move around the space whether it be high, low, chaotic, staccato, or with fluidity. One of my favorite things Ive learned though are some new stretches.

      Once you start not caring about how you appear to others and instead focus on putting yourself out there authentically, you find your innate rhythm. It was also great building a community while learning with others in the class. It felt a little odd at first, especially since I haven’t taken a dance class in years, but once I got over that it was so much fun.

   I am about to graduate with a degree in the music industry. This field is a really social industry that requires a lot of going out and networking to meet new people. From this course I learned that there’s no mistakes in improv and life is just one big improvisation. With this in mind going forward, I take from this course the ability to get out of my head, form a community, and just go with the flow because all of us are really just out here improvising.

   

 

 

16

 Being Okay With Ambiguity

 

Juan Aldama

This semester's improvisation in dance class has opened my eyes to a whole new world of possibility. I did not know much about improvisation prior to this semester and thought it was a dance class about learning specific dance moves. I have learned that it is much more about trusting yourself and responding in the moment. One of my biggest learnings is how to step outside of my comfort zone. I never really thought about it before either, but I have learned in this class that not everything has to be perfectly thought out, and sometimes doing what feels right in the moment can turn into something even better. I think this lesson relates to much more than just dance but so many other aspects of life.

 

There were definitely mixed feelings throughout the process of learning. At first, I was very uncomfortable and awkward trying to improvise in front of people, and I was definitely was not used to moving when I was not told what to do. I continued to stay progressive in striving to get more comfortable and honestly at times enjoy it as time went on. Improvisation became less about staring at myself and worrying about how I look and more about how it felt. I learn that trusting myself and letting go a little bit, was pretty nice.

 

I think the things I learned in this class will be applied in my field of study and beyond. Regardless of the career I end up in, being able to think on my feet, be flexible, and trust in my gut will be invaluable. Life doesn't always go to plan as taught in this course, which helped me come to terms with that idea. This can be applied whether it be in my studies, future career or just the challenges I face in life. Overall, I am feeling more confident that I do not always have to have an exact roadmap to advance, which is a big step for me. I will keep working at being okay with ambiguity, and I appreciate this course as it helped to kick this off.

 

17

 Progress and Connection

 

Makenzie Damus

I had so many meaningful takeaways from this course. First, the importance of stretching and working on breath-work and alignment. I have become significantly more flexible and have begun stretching and practicing more yoga at home and in studios as a result of this class. I see how stretching and moving my body helps with every aspect of my life. I looked forward to walking into class and taking the first part of class to focus on myself and do a body scan. I also became so much more confident in myself over this course. I am very shy when it comes to dancing. While I was never the best dancer in the room, I began to be able to dance and put effort into my movement as this course progressed. Having to dance for one minute in front of all my peers was a very daunting task for me, and while I was not very spectacular, I am proud of myself for going up there and taking that minute to express how I felt through dance.

I originally did not take the stretching very seriously. I would go on my phone and not pay attention. However, after actually taking time to center my mind and body and follow the flow of class, I learned to appreciate the time we take at the beginning of class to focus on my mind and body. I ended up feeling grateful for the meticulous stretching and will continue to practice that on my own free will. I also felt very awkward about dancing in front of other people at the beginning of this class. I was uncomfortable and felt like I would be judged, however, this significantly changed over this semester. At the end, I made friends with people in the class (even though I learned Taylor’s name on the last day of class, oopsies!), and this helped me to feel more comfortable with dancing in front of others. I loved doing group dances and working on choreography as a group because it allowed me to connect with my peers and have more fun!

I will apply the stretching, alignment, and breathing techniques that I learned in this class to every aspect of my life. I now take a moment in the morning to check in with myself and see how I am feeling both mentally and physically. I can apply this to my job by taking time to reflect and evaluate on how I am feeling about situations. Stretching can be used as a form of mental release when I am stressed, I can channel the mental and physical tension into movement to re-center and calm myself. For marketing, I will use the creative aspects that we expressed  through dance (animals, fire, etc.) to be more free and creative and think outside of the box on future projects. I will also take the self-confidence I gained from this class and use it to be more confident during presentations, hard conversations, and to just hold my head high when times get tough. 

I genuinely loved this class and would look forward to it every Monday and Wednesday. Getting to see myself,  my peers, and my professor’s progress and connection build over the semester was priceless to me. Even though we all know I will not be becoming a professional dancer any time soon, I had the best time connecting with a group of strangers whom I can now call my friends. 

18

 Thinking on the Fly

Cole McConathy

 

Throughout the entirety of this class, I learned what it means to be connected with your body mind and spirit and also I felt like the professor did an outstanding job of instilling those values into us each day with the starting warm-up, including how to ground our feet all the way up to the top of our head. I found that taking this class also improved other areas of my life and made me overall more healthy and gave me a lot more energy and focus into my daily routine.

I am so very thankful that I was able to take this class and take some time out of my day for myself and also seeing those around me get better and more comfortable about their dancing skills each and every day it was like you saw another person‘s bubble pop, and they began to dance more and more freely This is something that I notice very frequently throughout the entirety of the course.

Learning how your body moves and to be able to work with it while gaining more flexibility is a value that I think everybody should have but one thing I learned throughout this course was that is not a value, but yet a privilege and one that we all have to work on to humbly except. To accept the way that you move into space takes time and practice and this class definitely helps. You also realize how everything is not going to go as you may think it will. And you have to have the ability to improvise and think on the fly. By doing this, you improve your cognitive skills and are constantly working your brain. I would recommend this class to anyone whether you are an athlete or a computer science major. We had both in our class and I felt like it impacted both people differently. Thank you for this class and all the valuable traits I was able to gain from it.

 

19

 A Whirlwind of Spontaneity, Intuition, and Collaborative Discovery

 

Kennedy Cameron

This semester’s improvisational dance course was a whirlwind of spontaneity, intuition, and collaborative discovery. Rather than following set choreography, I learned to navigate movement in the moment listening deeply to music, space, and the energies of my fellow dancers. In the reflection that follows, I’ll share my key take-aways from an improv lens, explore how the free-flowing process felt in real time, and describe how I’ll weave these lessons into my ongoing dance practice and creative journey. 

The most profound lesson was embracing uncertainty as a creative catalyst: rather than fearing “mistakes,” I learned to trust that unexpected shifts often lead to novel movement ideas. I discovered the power of active listening not just to the music, but to the sounds of breath, footfalls, and the subtle cues of others in the room. Building on that, I learned to transform simple prompts (a gesture, a texture, a shared shape) into rich, evolving landscapes of movement. Finally, the practice of giving and receiving offers through mirroring or counterpoint reinforced that co-creating in real time demands openness, generosity, and playful curiosity. 

At first, the blank canvas of improvisation felt exhilarating and terrifying in equal measure I often hesitated, worried my instincts weren’t “good enough.” But with each improvised duet or ensemble jam, I felt barriers dissolve: the fear of judgment gave way to exhilaration when I let my body respond without overthinking. Moments of pure flow where time seemed to stretch and the music guided my limbs brought both release and a deep sense of joy. Even the choppy, awkward phrases became precious experiments, reminding me that vulnerability is the spark that can ignite authentic expression. 

In my future studies and performances, I’ll integrate our warm up stretch at the start of every rehearsal to warm up both body and imagination, ensuring spontaneity remains alive alongside technique. When confronted with creative blocks, I’ll return to simple prompts an emotion, a shape, or a vocalization to jumpstart fresh ideas. Collaboratively, I’ll use the give-and-take of offers to foster deeper trust and dynamic exchanges in ensemble work. Whether developing a new piece or teaching improvisation to others, these principles letting go, listening deeply, and co-creating will guide my approach. 

In conclusion, this improv dance class taught me that true artistry blossoms when structure bows to curiosity. By welcoming uncertainty, tuning into subtle rhythms, and co-creating in the moment, I’ve unlocked new avenues of expression and collaboration. Armed with these improv principles, I’m eager to continue exploring movement’s infinite possibilities both onstage and in every collaborative studio moment to come.

 

 

20

Celebrating Uncertainty and Self-expression

 

Bella Giacalone

Dance Improvisation has been one of the most unexpected and fulfilling aspects of my academic journey. It challenged me to step outside my typical learning methods and enter a realm where uncertainty and self-expression were celebrated. Before taking this class, I had never danced in front of others, and the very thought of it made me quite anxious. However, as we delved into various movements and exercises over time, my confidence grew, allowing me to trust my own rhythm and means of expression.

A significant factor in my development was the advice to avoid looking in the mirror. By not concentrating on my appearance, I was able to focus on how the movements felt, which greatly enhanced the freedom and authenticity of my dancing. Throughout the semester, I also experienced notable improvements in my flexibility and balance. The warm-up stretches that once felt challenging became more intuitive and integrated into my daily routine. The ability to move and stretch consistently has been a key takeaway for me, and I intend to continue this practice even after the class concludes.

One of the highlights of our sessions was creating dance movements to spell out our names. This activity was not only creative and enjoyable but also made me realize that dance can be both playful and expressive. Ultimately, this class has taught me that dance is not about achieving perfection; rather, it’s about connection, creativity, and learning to trust one’s body.

 

 

 21

 How to Be Comfortable in Your Own Skin

 

Krish Chand

My takeaways from the course are how to be comfortable in your own skin. I think it is super important to be confident in expressing yourself in different ways, and I feel like this class did a really good job of showing you how to do so. Also, I think working in teams helped demonstrate what it was like to express yourself with your teammates, along with how you can learn from each other. I thought it was super beneficial to learn about how others treated and respected the space, which was really cool to learn about. Also, one thing that I really liked from the course was the ability to be at peace. I felt like doing the stretch during class was always super beneficial towards my day. I loved doing the mindful minute where we took some time for realignment. I felt really at peace throughout those exercises and took a lot from those throughout my daily life. Now, I look to implement those things to my life on a day-to-day with helping with being at peace and remaining calm. I feel like it helped a lot with that.

I felt super peaceful throughout the learning process. At first, I was really scared of coming out of my shell. But, throughout the various teachings, I found myself to feel a lot more comfortable with a lot of the teachings we were doing, as everyone was doing it together. I also felt like the environment was very inviting for those who felt uncomfortably at the start. I also really enjoyed learning with team members. I felt like we did a lot of those throughout the early parts of the semester and it really helped with becoming more close with the classmates within our section. I felt really comfortable more and more as we got on with the semester. I thought the teachings throughout the class were teaching great life lessons, as well. There was many times where I felt like what we were learning could be applied to daily life and I felt like that was the most important thing from this class. It was what we could take from the class to learn and apply to our daily lives to better ourselves for the future.

 I would apply our learning to my Marketing degree, as I would use it to remain confident in the business world. The business world is changing every single day, and sometimes it can be intimidating to apply yourself. This class teaches core components of being confident and learning to apply yourself. I feel like I can use that in the real world by remaining confident throughout a lot presentations the real world may bring, or overall just issues we may face on a day to day. A lot of people lack confidence, and that is one thing that prevents people from becoming the best version of themselves. 

They often say no to things they may want to try, but are afraid to do so. I feel like I could apply this to my daily life to try new things, and take risks behind my comfort zone. A lot of what this class was trying to teach us was to get out of that bubble we all create around ourselves, and I feel like doing that in the real world is super important to stand out. So many people stand out for so many different reasons and it's important that you have confidence in yourself so that you do stand out. Additionally, I think this class teaches you discipline and that is something we could all use in our daily lives. Discipline is one of the biggest things we all need to succeed, and when entering this busy stage in our lives, it is super important to have a lot of it.

Overall, I really enjoyed my time in Improvisiation. It taught me a lot about myself and taught me a lot of ways to step outside of my comfort zone. I really enjoyed this class and had a lot of fun learning about my classmates as well. Thank you Professor

 

 

 

22

Looked Forward to Our Stretching Routine.

 

Juliana Malygin

Coming into this course I was not sure what to expect. I knew it would involve dance and coming up with movement on the spot, but I was unsure of what that would look like in a classroom setting. After completing this semester and it being nothing as to what I expected it to be, I can actually say I learned a lot.

 I learned different types of movement and flow, ranging from speeds to levels and how energy plays a huge role in our execution of dance. I not only learned from my instructor on how great it is to be expressive and move freely, but also from my peers. I thought all of the group and partner exercises we did were incredibly helpful in the sense of getting us out of our comfort zone and out of our everyday shells that we box ourselves into. One of my favorite exercises we did was when we portrayed a real life event that was happening and turned it into a dance sequence. It was unique to see how as a group we decided to represent the LA wildfires that were going on. I also loved when we worked with partners and drew each other's movement on a piece of paper. It was all about our own perspective but it was so interesting to use multiple formats of art in our class. Most importantly I feel that everyone including myself gained a sense of confidence and trust in each other when we were tasked to do activities that we are not usually used to in our curriculum. 

I felt very accomplished by the end of the semester. At the beginning, I was extremely nervous to put myself out there and felt so many emotions of awkwardness and weirdness when I had to perform in front of the class. I remember feeling that I was not going to be able to go up in front of the class at the end for a whole minute. But with time, I became more comfortable. I think that the range of activities we did were super helpful in preparing us to be uncomfortable with traditional movement. One of the funniest classes was when we had to act out as clowns. It was extremely entertaining to see how we all chose to portray a character we are familiar with but in different ways. It was also super interesting to see how a professional executed it so smoothly. My highlight of the course was our stretching routine. My body always felt less tense and more flexible after. Every week I looked forward to our stretching routine. It is something that I hope I continue to do throughout this summer and incorporate it into my everyday life because it is so beneficial! 

As I plan to start studying for my LSAT and go into the law field post-grad, I know that there are going to be times I feel extremely overwhelmed and stressed. The best way to handle stress is to take care of your body physically and mentally which stretching is a huge part of. Learning the stretching routine was so awesome because I can incorporate it into my life forever. Not only will it keep me physically healthy, but it is also a mental refresher and a great pause from looking at my phone or laptop. Secondly, l  know that there will be so many situations in life that push me out of my comfort zone, and I will feel the emotions I once felt at the beginning of this class. Being able to get comfortable being uncomfortable will help me get through and succeed in so many situations. Gaining a new sense of confidence and comfort within our own bodies will definitely have effects on situations where we have to present ourselves in rooms with strangers, and we will have the feeling of - we have done this before. 

Thank you to my professor who was such a light throughout this semester and always put a smile on everyone's face. Improv was so much more fun than I expected it to be. 

 23

 Internalizing Feelings Through Body Expression

Gigi Mangieri 

As a kid, whenever I was at a dance convention taking classes and I heard “Improv for a 3 eight counts” I freaked out. I have always been so embarrassed because I was never good at improv. It always stressed me out and I could not think on the spot. After taking this course, I realized that improv comes more from within rather than the skill being demonstrated. Rather than over complicating the movement, if I just express my movement through my feelings I realized that I am still improving and dancing. This course has allowed me to overcome my fear of failure and stress for perfectionism. It allowed me to connect to my mind and body more and heighten my internal rhythm.
 

Throughout the learning process, I definitely struggled with embarrassment. Since everyone knew I was on the Dance Team, I did not want to come off as arrogant or that I thought I was better than everyone. I started off very timid because of this. Towards the end, after creating relationships with my group members and meeting new people, I started to feel more comfortable in the class. I realized that we were all in the same position, and that no one cared about me being labeled a “Sunsation”. One of my favorite parts of the class was the people I met in it, because although a lot of the time it was individual work, the times we worked together in groups was very enjoyable to combine all of our styles and ideas.
 

I struggle to find similarities between my major and this course, because I am a nursing major. Although, this course did allow me to realize that having balance was beneficial to my overall body and headspace when taking difficult classes. As this course went on, I started taking pilates and yoga classes around Miami to increase my internal and external health. Since I have done this, I have noticed a difference in my work ethic and stress levels because I learned that balance is key.

Overall, I really enjoyed this course and I look forward to taking more dance classes throughout my years at the University of Miami. It feels very nice being able to connect with people through something that I have loved since I was three years old. Being a teacher at the dance studio I grew up at, I look forward to encouraging my students to internalize their feelings through body expression rather than striving for skill perfection. I believe this is a very strong message and that it is being lost in dance today, so because I have learned this through this course, I want to share this information with more dancers.
 

 

 

24

Being Free and More Expressive

Sai Chigurupati

This course has been a very pleasant surprise for me. I really had no background in dance or improvisation prior to taking this class. Despite this, I was able to learn about my body and mind in a manner that I have never been exposed to previously. The main takeaway I had from this class was to ignore what my eyes were telling me but rather listen to what my mind is telling me on how to control my body. It was difficult to not look at the mirror to see what I was doing when moving but once I refrained from doing that I was able to be more freely and be more expressive. By doing this I was infinitely more comfortable in my own skin. Another major takeaway was that to not worry so much about what others think about you. In society today one’s image is quite important but in order to be the more true version of yourself it is necessary to not care so much about others thoughts or perceptions.  

As the course progressed throughout the semester, I got incrementally more comfortable with the material. Going through the stretching and flexibility routine every class was an amazing learning experience. From the first class to the last, I could definitely notice a difference in how flexible and stable my body became. I also became more and more comfortable with performing with a group and alone. Even though I somewhat felt uncomfortable at the start of the semester, I was able to realize that others probably felt the same way or did not care so much about little things as I did. 

There are aspects that I have learned in this course that I can certainly take away in my field of study. As a finance major I am constantly presenting alone and with a group. As a result of this class, I am absolutely more confident presenting in front of a crowd. Previously, I was so fixated that all eyes were on me that it was hard to recall and speak with confidence, now I no longer have this feeling and embrace the feeling. I can feel comfortable when the attention is on me and perform to my fullest potential. I can also take away to be unique and not necessarily go with the status-quo. It is important to take some risks in order to create new and great projects.

 

 25

 

 In Tune With How My Body Communicates

 

Ethan Levin

Taking the improv dance class has been an eye-opening experience. I learned so much about different ways of moving through space using levels, speed, tempo, and flexibility in ways I never thought about before. The stretching and breathing exercises really helped me connect with my body, and the improv questions pushed me to be creative and present in the moment.

During the learning process, I felt both challenged and inspired. At first, it was uncomfortable to move without a set routine, but as the weeks went on, I grew more confident. I began to enjoy the freedom and expression that improv dance allows, and I felt more in tune with how my body communicates without words.

These take aways will definitely carry over into my field of study. Whether I’m working in a creative space or collaborating with others, being aware of movement, energy, and breath can improve how I express ideas and interact with people. This class taught me to trust my instincts and stay open to new ways of thinking.

 

 

26

 Nobody Was Judging

Jaye Lis

When I decided to enroll in this course, I had no idea what to anticipate, but having previously taken a course with you, I knew that the atmosphere would brighten my days! This course taught me that even simply taking an hour and fifteen minutes to warm up, move, put on music, and dance can improve both emotional and mental health, making you feel much better and lighter emotionally and mentally. The friendships and relationships I was given the opportunity to create with classmates during our class sessions truly enhanced and made the whole semester even better along with each class. The welcoming atmosphere created amazing energy in the room in this class and really allowed everyone to feel free to express themselves and be open with each other as well as themselves. From this experience, I gained a wholehearted understanding of how any simple moment presenting the opportunity for movement and dance is an extremely powerful moment of movement that leads to long-term, lasting improvements. Every individual who allows themselves to fully immerse themselves in the music and embrace the movement will experience these benefits in their overall well-being as every time I left class, I truly felt emotionally and mentally lighter.

Throughout the learning process in this course, I found myself experiencing a wide rangeof emotions—sometimes several during a single class. At first, I felt a little unsure and sometimes a bit awkward just following what felt right for me and not having any form ofvstructure or choreography. But as I built relationships with basically every classmate, thatvuncertainty turned into a new feeling of freedom. I began to trust my body and my own sense of ‘flow’ and no longer thought about what I may look like or be perceived like by others; nobody was judging. The shift was powerful, and I began to feel a sense of ease and as if a weight was being lifted off my entire body each class. There were moments that brought me back to emotions I had pushed and blocked out and realizations I never wanted to believe, but instead of pushing them back away, I was able to move through them, literally. Some were more challenging than others, but given the atmosphere of the classroom, these challenges always seemed possible to dance through. The process taught me how valuable it is to let yourself be seen, to unapologetically be you and express yourself. This kind of learning goes way beyond the semester but is something I’ll carry with me in how I approach not just dance, but myself.

As an education major, as well as aspiring to teach elementary school students, I was moved to experience an fulfilling realization that expressing oneself through movement is just as valuable as what is being taught and done in the classroom regarding academics. Children aren’t meant to sit still and take in information and do work with no breaks and opportunities to move and explore. They also sometimes don’t know how to verbally express themselves as they experience new emotions and experiences, and through this class I have learned how improvisation and moving to ‘work through’ unknowns can be an effective way to express yourself. I want to create a space like this class was for me, where every student feels comfortable to fully be themselves. I want to create a space where every student feels heard and loved not just for their minds, but for being the unique individual that they are. Movement holds the capacity to be such a powerful regulation tool, a powerful coping mechanism, and ultimately helps kids (and adults) work through things they may not be able or ready to put into words. If there is one thing my students take away from my class I hope it’ll be exactly what this class taught me: the freedom and ability to work through emotions through movement and embracing yourself.
 

 27

Grounded in Authenticity and Awareness

 

Gabriele Pernigotti

One of the most impactful takeaways from this class was the realization that movement can be a language that directly bypasses logic and structure to access emotion and instinct. Improvisation taught me to listen to my body as much as my thoughts. Through exercises like physicalizing and enacting, I could explore internal experiences and express them authentically without needing to define them in words. This freedom to explore and move without judgment was both unfamiliar and empowering. The vulnerability of dancing without choreography helped me become more self-aware and more connected to the present moment. I also found great value in our ensemble work, where collaboration and spontaneous connection allowed me to trust others while staying grounded in my movement choices. These experiences deepened not only my creative thinking but also my emotional intelligence.

Learning this material felt liberating but also a little intimidating at the start. As someone who often gravitates toward precision, planning, and structure, it was challenging to let go of control. But this course created an environment where experimentation, failure, and growth felt safe. The class permitted me to move without needing to perfect. The consistent warm-ups, mindfulness practices, and thematic improvisation sessions helped me gain physical and mental flexibility. I began to look forward to the moments when we let music lead or respond to prompts with no “right” answer, only intention. This environment reminded me how valuable it is to feel uncomfortable and lean into that discomfort as a sign of growth.

As a student in business and entrepreneurship, specifically with my work in food ventures and branding, this course offered more relevant lessons than I initially expected. In entrepreneurship, you often operate without a script; improvising solutions, pitching ideas, and confidently navigating uncertainty. Improvisation has taught me to trust my instincts more, be present and adaptable, and lead with emotion as much as logic. Whether I'm presenting a new concept, collaborating with partners, or resolving unexpected issues in a business setting, the ability to improvise, grounded in authenticity and awareness, will be an asset. This course wasn't just about movement but about how to move through life with presence, purpose, and fluidity.

 

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Sources

Empower the Next Generation: Developing Leadership Skills through Dance (2023). https://www.dancedynamicslv.com/dd-blog/developing-leadership-skills-through-dance

10 Reasons Why All Boys Should Dance. https://dancemagazine.com.au/2016/02/10-reasons-boys-dance/

Dance Information Processing. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00354-024-00273-2

Dance Locations in Independence, MO, USA. https://www.wellnessliving.com/explore/locations/dance/us-mo-independence/

How To Take The Weight Of The World Off Your Shoulders. https://profound-impact.com/blog/how-to-take-the-weight-of-the-world-off-your-shoulders/ 

Trusting the Body Better. https://lynnrossy.com/trusting-the-body-better/