Unlocking the Artistry: GVSU Dance Students Collaborate with Acclaimed Performer Alison Clancy

In a captivating display of interdisciplinary artistry, dance students at Grand Valley State University were recently granted the remarkable opportunity to work alongside guest musician, dancer, and choreographer Alison Clancy. Clancy, a New York-based performer currently gracing the stage of the Metropolitan Opera in 16 productions, was the 2022 recipient of the prestigious New York State Choreographers' Initiative Award, further solidifying her reputation as a trailblazer in the performing arts.

Elevating the Dance Experience: Alison Clancy's Transformative Influence on GVSU Students

Bridging the Gap Between Music and Dance

The Department of Music, Theatre and Dance (MTD) at GVSU recognized the immense value in inviting Clancy to share her artistic expertise with the students. Chloe Schram, a dance major at GVSU, expressed her excitement at the chance to work with a multifaceted performer like Clancy, who seamlessly blends her skills as a musician, dancer, and choreographer."(Clancy) is skilled in several different areas," Schram remarked. "The piece that we're doing, it's her music. She's singing in it, so she's a musician and dancer. I don't believe that I've ever done that, learning a piece from a choreographer and then dancing to their music (singing)."

Exploring Clancy's Unique Artistic Approach

Clancy's diverse artistic background has allowed her to cultivate a distinctive style that transcends traditional boundaries. Her solo performances have been described as "haunting" in both their movement and vocal elements, showcasing her ability to captivate audiences with her genre-blending approach.Schram noted that Clancy's choreography for the GVSU dancers reflects this unique style, introducing them to a movement vocabulary they had not encountered before. "(Clancy's piece) incorporates a lot of contemporary, but it's kind of somber (and) a little eerie," Schram shared.

Embracing the Challenges of Clancy's Choreography

Haley Rosendale, another GVSU dance major, described Clancy as one of the "sweetest and calmest choreographers" to have taught at the university. However, Rosendale acknowledged that Clancy's blend of ballet and contemporary styles presented a new creative challenge for the students."(Clancy) kind of combines contemporary and ballet," Rosendale explained. "You're very flowy and moving your whole body through everything." Both Rosendale and Schram noted that adapting to Clancy's unique movement quality and slower, more somber tempo required a conscious effort to fully embody the piece.

Expanding Horizons: The Value of Guest Artists at GVSU

The Department of Music, Theatre and Dance at GVSU regularly invites guest artists like Clancy to provide students with a diverse range of educational and performance experiences. Rosendale emphasized the profound impact these guest artists have on the dance students, as it helps guide them towards the professional world of dance and performance after graduation."Any guest artists we have (at GVSU) share their past experiences and their professional time," Rosendale said. "Getting to hear their stories, tips and different styles (is) honestly very impactful on all of us because we strive to go into the professional world once we graduate."The opportunity to work with Clancy has undoubtedly left a lasting impression on the GVSU dance students, challenging them to expand their artistic boundaries and gain valuable insights into the multifaceted world of performing arts.