Juilliard Dance | A Day in the Life

Summary

Matthew Gilmore, a second-year dancer from Boston, shares his journey at Juilliard, where he pushes himself to improve his technique and artistic expression. From his early dream of attending the prestigious school to daily classes in ballet, music, and partnering, he emphasizes the importance of discipline, personal growth, and collaboration. Whether refining his skills at the barre or engaging in creative projects with peers, Matthew highlights the intense yet rewarding nature of his training, where every day offers new challenges and opportunities to evolve as a dancer.

Takeaways

• 😀 Matthew Gilmore is a second-year dancer from Boston, MA, who started dancing at the age of nine.
• 😀 Attending Juilliard has been a long-time dream for Matthew, and the summer program gave him a glimpse into the life of Juilliard students.
• 😀 Each day at Juilliard starts with breakfast and then attending academic classes before moving on to dance classes.
• 😀 Music class at Juilliard emphasizes the importance of rhythm, which helps dancers connect with the music during ballet and modern dance.
• 😀 Ballet class is central to Matthew’s daily routine, focusing on refining his technique and fundamentals at the barre.
• 😀 Matthew finds new insights and challenges in his ballet class every single day, highlighting the ongoing journey of self-improvement.
• 😀 Juilliard students come with foundational skills in ballet and modern dance, but the school emphasizes refining personal technique and style.
• 😀 Dance classes at Juilliard are intimate, with only 24 dancers per class, fostering a tight-knit community that is vital for partnering work.
• 😀 Partnering class emphasizes the importance of a strong connection between partners for successful collaborations in dance.
• 😀 In New Dances rehearsals, students work with new choreographers each year, allowing them to experience fresh creative processes and the unknown outcomes of new works.
• 😀 Beyond formal classes, Juilliard students use free time to create and experiment, with Matthew collaborating with his friend Megan on an ongoing project.
• 😀 After a long and exhausting day, Matthew feels mentally stimulated, driven by new information, corrections, and choreography, pushing him to strive for excellence in his dance.

Q & A

What inspired Matthew Gilmore to pursue dance?

Matthew Gilmore was inspired to pursue dance after dreaming of attending Juilliard since he was young. His passion for dance began when he started at the age of nine.

How did Matthew's experience at Juilliard's summer program influence his goals?

Attending Juilliard's summer program allowed Matthew to see what a day in the life of a Juilliard student was like, motivating him to work harder on his technique and strive toward achieving his goals.

What does a typical day at Juilliard look like for Matthew?

Matthew's typical day includes attending breakfast, followed by an academic class in the morning, a ballet class where he focuses on technique, partnering class, and New Dances rehearsal. He also devotes his free time to creating and experimenting with dance projects.

Why is rhythm important in Matthew's dance training?

Rhythm is important because it helps dancers understand how their bodies react to music. This is particularly valuable in ballet and other classes that require synchronization with musical timing.

What role does ballet play in Matthew's dance training?

Ballet is fundamental to Matthew's training, as it helps him tune his instrument (his body) and focus on technique. Ballet class is a daily practice that allows him to refine his movements and rediscover the fundamentals of dance.

What does Matthew mean when he says he finds something new in ballet class every day?

Matthew is emphasizing the ongoing process of improvement in ballet. Even though ballet class is a daily routine, each session provides new insights or ways to refine his technique.

How does Juilliard support individual dancers in developing their unique style?

At Juilliard, dancers build on their basic foundations of ballet and modern dance, and the program encourages them to focus on their personal technique. The goal is to develop their technique into something unique that reflects their individual style.

What is the significance of the close-knit community at Juilliard's dance program?

The tight-knit community at Juilliard is important for collaboration and relationship building, especially in partnering classes. It fosters an environment where dancers can connect deeply with each other and support one another.

What is the purpose of the New Dances rehearsal at Juilliard?

New Dances rehearsal is a process where each year a new choreographer creates a work specifically for the students. It is a collaborative and creative process, focused more on the experience of creating the piece than the final product.

How does Matthew balance his dance training with personal creative projects?

Matthew balances his intense training with personal creative projects by dedicating his lunch blocks and free time to experiment and collaborate with friends, such as working on a project with his friend Megan.