UC Irvine

This ethnographic research study investigates how the dynamics of pedagogical communication in the studio influence the suppression and silencing of a dancer’s identity and artistic voice. Through autoethnographic research methods interwoven with a literature review, observations in the dance studio, and seven collegiate dancer interviews, I question what occurs in the transactional learning space between teacher and student. Considering methods of best practice, I investigate my own artistic voice by embodying non-authoritarian ideals within a choreographic process ending in a thesis concert unexpectedly cancelled due to COVID-19. The stillness coerced by the pandemic divulges further aspects of my silenced voice and reveals a passion for art-making through digital film. In this self-study, I discover the importance of compassion, towards others and myself, and conclude that the process of creating art and discovering one’s voice is deeply layered, multi-faceted, and continuously-evolving.