What's in a Name?

For the title of my business and my senior project at UWM, I came up with Pilgrimage Dance. It was inspired by various places that I perform in with this business including: libraries, schools, senior centers, and community centers. I find that I myself am on a journey not only to these places, but to share and encourage dance within many communities and learn something about myself at the same time. A pilgrimage for me is a search for knowledge, and at times, it is a spiritual search as well. In many religions, people often make a pilgrimage to a holy land.

Now, I'm not sure there is any particular place that is the holy land for dance! It seems to me that every place has inspiration from it's history to it's people to dance and create dance.

When I was coming up with the title, I also thought about how dance moves and a pilgrimage is specifically locomotor movement from one place to another. In my mind, I find it interesting that a pilgrimage is actually one really long dance! It's an abstract thought, but I think it describes my work. I am a nerdy dancer who interrelates dance with all areas of life and community. They are not interchangeable! There can be no growth without the freedom to move. There can be no life without growth. And there can be no dance without life.

Still Learning

My senior project for the Dance Department at UWM was to begin my own business that allowed the community to experience dance in a new light. The great part of this "assignment" was that it could potentially affect the rest of my life. I didn't know when I entered UWM as undecided that I would be where I am now with my studies and certainly couldn't have imagined the wealth of knowledge I would receive.

School has taught me to be versatile, and has trained me to be strong in adversity. I have had opportunities to take classes with brilliant teachers, and meet guest artist from around the world. As friends and colleagues, my peers have been competitive and supportive in the same instance. I have made many close friends from all over. I experienced life in a completely different culture than my own through a study abroad in Morocco. I will always take with me the people I have met throughout my life whom I have had the pleasure to call my friends. So now what do I do with the lessons I have learned and the connections I have made?
I form my own niche! Creating my own business that involves all aspects of my education, I feel that this project showcases all that I've learned these past four years of study. It also gives me a chance to work with many different people.

Working through college has allowed me to make mistakes and learn from them financially. Every position has had it's challenges, and I have had many great coworkers filled with advice and good company. How do I become more than an employee, but self-employed?
I become aware of business and personal finances along with marketing and licensing.

My family may not always understand my aspirations and goals, but they try their best to be there for me. I have learned from them to respect everyone I come in contact with and always keep intact my backbone. We most certainly have our arguments, but we always work through them. How can I repay my family for all their years of love and care?
I love them right back, and make them proud. Maybe one day they'll let me buy dinner!

My husband has his hands full with me since I tend to complicate life. Being in love with a man who works harder than anyone I know, you can be sure, I learn a lot from him. If his love has showed me anything, it is that I cannot let my fears rule me. Can I handle the obstacles to come?

With a great love by my side and a lot of hope, I can't look back. All I can do is try, and continue learning.