Dancing After College
Claire-Solène Bečka performing in Dance Theatre Group’s Visions 2018
By Claire-Solène Bečka (CAS ’21)
Someone asked me recently, “Why do you still dance after college?” This question struck me as odd; I never considered not dancing upon completing my dance minor. A plié, roll-down, and contraction seem as essential as walking to my body and mind. I certainly took for granted the quality and accessibility of dance while at BU, but post-graduation, I have worked to build and maintain a schedule that keeps me moving, smiling, and dancing. I take regular ballet classes through Brookline Ballet School’s adult program and have even re-started pointe classes. I find myself amazed by the dedication and love of ballet shown by the adult dancers in these classes.
Composition and modern dance remain part of my self-appointed dance curriculum, too. For the past two years, I have worked with Carli DiMeo, a fellow DTG-er and BU dance minor, to choreograph pieces for NACHMO Boston. NACHMO provides the opportunity to create and perform works, as well as receive feedback from mentors in the Boston dance community, and I am grateful for this choreographic continuing education. Carli and I have even asked Micki for feedback on our pieces, often confessing how much we miss Dance Theatre Group’s Thursday night “crash courses” in composition. I am grateful for BU Dance’s continued support in my dance education.