Reflection

My contemporary dance piece, "All Things, Intertwined", was a self-choreographed dance that was inspired by how humans connect with nature and the environment on a daily basis. Sometimes, we are so caught up with work, school, and our other obligatory duties that we forget to interact with nature and the world around with us. From the air we breathe and the soil beneath our feet, without plants, animals, and other organisms we would not be able to live the way we do. I think a lot of people tend to forget that, and my dance is about taking a step back and appreciating nature one step at a time. Through the contest theme, I myself have learned about the extraordinary ways humans are similar to other organisms. While trees have rings that tell us it's history and how old they are, we have fingerprints that are unique and separates us from others. Like birds that build nests in trees to protect their young, my parents do the best they can for me to have a good quality of life. Recognizing our relationship with nature is essential for us, as we develop a sense to protect it from the effects of climate change and human behavior. I specifically chose the music piece, "Agape," because it reminded me of early mornings and hearing the birds outside chirping beautiful melodies. Waking up to nature's music is something I believe everyone should be able to experience--rather than the honking of cars or noise that interferes with our ability to appreciate every beginning of the day. The opportunity to combine two of my favorite things--environmental advocacy and dance-- let me be really be creative with my movements and what I wanted to express. What I hope that people watching this can take away is that it is okay to set other things aside and live in the moment, because nature is meant to be enjoyed, not ignored.