By Danny Brady
“In an age where information is key the body is losing its resonance… There is a part of humanity that can only be experienced through the body,” Andrea Miller said. “I try to relay this message in the work that I do…My goal is to show that it’s really easy to remember your connection with your body.”
Miller is a choreographer, creative director, and founder of GALLIM, an New York City-based movement creation company dedicated to art, education, and community building. She brought her philosophy to Alden Street on Oct. 27 as she taught a free professional dance training class for Springfield College students, faculty, staff and local community members from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in room 210 of the Wellness Center.
However, Miller’s endeavors are not unbeknownst, as her younger self always dreamed of a dance career.
“As a small child I felt a lot of joy [when dancing]…when I heard music I would race to wherever it was playing and wanted to dance,” Miller said. “My self expression was something that was possible and appreciated [through dance].”
Her dream has become more than a reality. Ever since Miller founded GALLIM in 2007, she has basked in many accomplishments.
Miller has been featured in Forbes as an entrepreneur and leader in the dance world, and she was the first choreographer to be named Artist in Residence at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Additionally, her dance work has been presented by leading institutions and festivals worldwide. Miller is currently a Guggenheim, Sadler’s Wells, New York City Center and Princess Grace fellow.
Despite the multitude of accolades under her belt, the achievement that she is most proud of does not come with much recognition.
“It seemed to me like if you wanted to be in dance you couldn’t have kids,” Miller said. “One of my most proud achievements is figuring out how to be a working artist and a parent.”
Miller originally loved dance because it provided an outlet for self expression. After many years of experience in the field, she developed a burning passion for collaboration with others.
“I get so excited about collaborating with dancers who come from different backgrounds of dance,” Miller said. ”I think collaboration is an exchange of wisdom that can help you learn a lot, be outside of your comfort zone, and find ways to grow.”
The dance class at Springfield offered a great opportunity for integration between Miller and the Springfield community.
Springfield Alum Angelina Cohen was one of the class participants. Cohen has danced since she was five, graduated with a degree in Dance Psychology and is currently dancing with Zehnder Dance Company.
Her favorite part of the class was “the beginning where we had the opportunity to lay on the ground and figure out how to move our body in full connection with all of its parts…Finding that moment of full awareness.”
Cohen continued,“We progressed throughout the class gaining a deeper awareness of our bodies, how to move different body parts together or separately, adding on textures, and musicality.”
Senior Megan Casey, also participated. She has been dancing since she was four. She will graduate in May with a Bachelor of Arts degree in dance.
“My favorite part of today’s lesson was exploring more about my body and the way that it moves,” Casey said.
After participating in her lesson, both gained a newfound respect for Andrea Miller.
“I think she’s fantastic,” Cohen said. “I just really enjoy the way she teaches, the way she conducted class, and I would definitely take one of her classes again.”
“I could watch her move forever. It is captivating,” Casey said. “Also, listening to the way that she articulates what she’s trying to say about dance really resonated with me so I’m really grateful to have the opportunity to learn more about dance from a new perspective.”
Photo Courtesy of Sarah Zehnder