April “Spotlight”
April has been a fantastic month! The kids came back from Spring Break rested and ready to dance. Costumes have gone home, and we are ready for photo day! All the classes are working hard on their dances for the upcoming recital, Living Art. The excitement at the studio is growing and all the kids can’t wait to perform for our community. Tickets are now on sale. Just click the link below to purchase yours today!
https://www.fidalgodanceworks.org/news-events/living-art-2023
We had a huge turn out for our field trip to go see A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Pacific Northwest Ballet. The performance was spectacular!! Everyone really enjoyed the lecture with the artistic director after the show. I am not sure they have ever had so many students from any one studio before, and loved having us there. We can’t wait to do it again!
Alumni Highlight: Alli Schuh
Name: Alli Schuh (she/her)
Date: 4/22/23
1. Please introduce yourself. Tell us your name, age, where you live, and what you do professionally.
My name is Alli Schuh. I am 22 years old and I currently live in Salt Lake City, Utah. I am
a student at the University of Utah currently earning a double major in Modern Dance
and Environmental Studies. I plan to continue living in Salt Lake City in the coming years
and immersing myself in the dance field here. This past year I had the opportunity of
working with an organization called 801 Salon in Salt Lake City for an internship and
found a love for curating art events focused on collaboration between multidisciplinary
artists.
2. Is dance still a part of your life? Are you still dancing? Tell us about it!
Currently I am finishing my BFA in modern dance and am excited to continue dancing in
Salt Lake in the coming years. I have had an amazing time earning a BFA in modern
dance and I am so grateful that I chose to be a dance major. I did not know the world of
possibilities that were out there when I was first looking at college programs. Dancing at
the University of Utah has been one of the greatest opportunities for personal growth
and professional growth, and my understanding of the career possibilities within a dance
degree have expanded immensely.
3. Tell us about your dance background. When did you start dancing? What styles of dance have you studied? What’s your favorite style and why?
I started dancing at Fidalgo dance works when I was three. I took ballet, jazz, tap, and
modern. I took one year off in high school but felt compelled to start dancing again my
senior year. I frequently attended Bellingham Repertory dances high school intensives
and this organization opened my eyes to the possibilities of pursuing dance in higher
education. A mentor of mine named Hannah Anderson helped me apply for dance
programs and helped me get my audition materials together to travel to various auditions
across the country. My favorite style now is my current practice in improvisation. I think
improvisation is central to any dance education and I am so grateful to have studied it so
in depth in college. Ballet will always have a soft spot in my heart, but I take fewer ballet
classes these days.
4. When did you start dancing at Fidalgo DanceWorks? Tell us a couple of your favorite memories of your time with us.
I started dancing at Fidalgo Dance Works very young and some of my favorite memories
are dancing with Jeannie Robson. She is an incredible teacher and role model and really
I also have fond memories of rehearsing for Nutcracker
and the long hours that we put in in the studio. Within my class, we really became a
family, and I am really grateful to have long lasting friendships from my time at Fidalgo
dance works.
5. Why was dance important to you growing up? Why is it important as an adult?
Dance is important to me now in a lot of the same ways that it was important to me
before college. Dance always gave me a space to feel my feelings and express myself
artistically. To be able to express myself physically is a privilege and a joy. Dance was
important to me growing up because it brought me into an important community and
taught me a lot about myself. Taking classes all the time offered me a space to reflect on
my life and reflect on my learning. I still take class to reflect on myself today and I’m
excited to continue learning for the rest of my life.
6. What advice do you have for our current students?
When I was younger I wish I had been told about the opportunities of pursuing dance in
college. I did not know that college dance programs were out there, and I want to share
my experience and my knowledge with younger dancers graduating high school. To
current students I would suggest travelling and exploring more dance opportunities in
Bellingham and Seattle. Taking master classes and going to small intensives outside of
Anacortes broadened my perspective and grew my love of dance. Dancing with dancers
outside of your community and having the opportunity to learn from artists and teachers
that you don't regularly take from is a gift and an eye-opening experience. Learning
about how big the dance community is and how many possibilities are out there to
create a life dancing is incredibly important is just as important as the classes that you
take every week.
7. What should our community know about FDW?
Our community should know that Fidalgo Dance Works is a special place to grow up and
does such an amazing job of fostering each dancer’s artistry. Dancing in an environment
that is not focused on competition dance, but rooted more in artistry and self-expression
is a gift and is such a unique dance experience. Lean into this community that supports
you and your individuality.
Dance Q & A
1. Who was your most influential teacher and why?
My most influential teacher was Ms. Christina. When I heard of her passing it saddened
me to hear that she had moved on from this world, but I know that she is still watching us
dance and cheering us on from above. Her tenacity and her drive were unmatched and
her belief in each and every one of her students was amazing. She is an incredible artist
and an amazing teacher. She stays in my heart and I think about her every time I am
performing.
2. What was your favorite dance role or production? Why?
My favorite role that I performed at Fidalgo Dance Works was the lion in The Wizard of
Oz. I had so much fun choreographing with my tail in my costume. It was really fun to
have a prop that was attached to me to dance with. I had to think creatively about when
creating movement. I also had a lot of fun with the makeup for this costume and felt so
excited for each of us to have an individual character in the show. Playing a lead role in
this show was a lot of fun and really pushed me as a performer.
3. If you couldn’t be a dancer, what would you be?
I think even if I could not perform anymore, I will always be a dancer and I will always be
involved in the dance community. Something that I have learned in college is that there
are a million ways to be a part of dance communities and to be involved in dance. Even
if I may not join a company to perform after college, I still plan on being involved in
studios and performance spaces and making my own work.
4. What’s the worst thing about being a dancer? What’s the best thing?
The best thing about being a dancer is the opportunity to dedicate your life to your art.
Having your body as your art form is such a gift because you have the opportunity to
experience your art to a new level that other fine arts don’t have the opportunity to
immerse themselves in.
Encore
1. What’s your favorite food / drink? Earl Grey tea!
2. What’s your favorite song? Sea of Love by Cat Power.
3. What’s your party trick? I can crack an apple in half with my bare hands.
4. Dance movies – love or hate? I don’t love them- I often think they depict the dance world in a really strange way.
Congratulations to Olivia Turnage Olivia made the Washington State Lacrosse team this season! She is also a junior midfielder and captain on the Anacortes High School lacrosse team and well as a defender for Arc Lacrosse Club. She will play at the 2023 Women’s National Tournament in North Carolina in May.
