Through personal reflection and council from my peers, I decided that my two personal strengths in composition are my ability to find a strong dynamic between tempos as well as my overall commitment to my choreography.
In some of my studies, I naturally found an ease in creating tempo shifts, switching between slow and fast all within the same phrase. I believe that the way my brain processes information gives me an inclination toward this dynamicity since my ideas are rapidly changing from calm to extravagant. Also, my background in dance ranging from tap and jazz to ballet and lyrical may also influence this variety of movement, since my training is so diverse. Thus, I have a large bank of past influences to choose from. I felt that my composition to “Blackbird” by The Beatles best showcased my capability for varied tempo changes. In one phrase, I started methodically kneeling on the the floor, drawing my hands slowly down my leg. I immediately then jumped back and forth on my feet by the next count. This quick change lead to unpredictability in my choreography. My knack for creating these divergent layers of tempo makes my dancing engaging, for tempo change leads to different tones and qualities. Thus, the audience will not get bored of seeing the same quality throughout an entire phrase
I also have strength in committing to my choreography as a performer. While I am still developing a comfort in my individual style, I always ensure to dive completely into my choreography with confidence, so that every move I make feels authentic to myself both as a mover and a creator. This strength is most apparent in my current study, the composition to a piece of preselected music. I created a narrative for this study, relating the repetitive layering of the music to my personal bouts with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. In creating and performing the dance, I make sure to both fully commit to the narrative I have created as well as to the different qualities of dancing it requires. In fully committing, I can more easily showcase the deeper meaning behind the dancing as well as intrigue my audience as they are witnessing my most authentic self.
Kelsey Kempner 