Next month I’m returning to my alma mater, the University of Michigan, for a two-week arts residency from March 10th to March 19th! Throughout my time in Michigan , I’ll be leading masterclasses, workshops, and discussions with UM Ann Arbor and UM Flint dance students, as well as students at my high school alma mater, Cass Tech, in Detroit. From exploring and sharing my research in rhythm in movement to discussing career sustainability in the arts, I’m so excited to connect with students!
I’m especially honored to culminate this experience with the Art & Entrepreneurship Symposium that is open to the public at Stamps Auditorium, where I’ll receive the 2023 Emerging Artist Award in Dance. Registration for the Symposium is now open so be sure to reserve your spot here!
A huge thank you to the Arts Initiative at the University of Michigan for making this residency possible.
Scroll down for more information about each event.
See you soon!
Briana
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*Mon., March 10th: Dance Masterclass from 12–1:30 pm – (UM Ann Arbor)
I will lead UM Ann Arbor Dance Majors in a masterclass that brings them into my research of blending the rhythmic intensity of percussive dance with the fluidity of contemporary movement. This unique workshop explores how rhythm and musicality can drive expression, storytelling, and physicality, creating a dynamic and innovative approach to movement and composition.
*Tues., March 11th: Dance Comp for Minors from 1:30–3 pm – (UM Ann Arbor)
I will lead UM Ann Arbor Dance Minors in an immersive workshop exploring rhythm and musicality as essential tools for dance composition. Rooted in my research of blending percussive dance with contemporary movement, this class will examine how rhythm drives expression, storytelling, and physicality. Students will experiment with dynamic movement structures, discovering new ways to create and shape choreography through their connection to music.
*Wed., March 12th: Africanist Traditions from 10a–11:30a – (UM Ann Arbor)
As part of the Dances in Culture: Africanist Dance Traditions course, I will lead a guest lecture and movement session exploring the history, cultural significance, and physicality of African American Stepping. I will bring my expertise in percussive dance to highlight stepping’s deep roots in Africanist movement traditions, its evolution through Black fraternities and sororities and into pop culture.
Through a combination of lecture, discussion, and embodied learning, students—both dancers and non-dancers—will engage with stepping as a rhythmic, communal, and expressive art form. This session offers a unique opportunity to experience the legacy of the African Diaspora through movement, understanding its influence on American vernacular and concert dance.
*Wed., March 12th EXCEL/Dance Student Assembly Talk & Q/A at 4:00p at EXCEL Lab (UM Ann Arbor)
Join us for an inspiring conversation on building a sustainable career as a freelance artist abroad. Hosted by EXCEL and the Dance Student Assembly, this discussion will explore finding your audience, creating your own opportunities, and forging an independent artistic path outside traditional contract work.
In this one-hour interview, I will share my journey as an American dancer who moved abroad, blending art and entrepreneurship to shape my career on my own terms. Whether you’re considering an international move, freelancing, or simply looking for new ways to sustain your creative practice, this talk offers valuable insights for dancers navigating today’s evolving artistic landscape.
*Thurs., March 13: MasterClass & Lecture Dem at Cass Tech w/FYDC
I will return to my high school to participate in a “Cass Tech Dance Engagement”, hosted by the Dance Department at Cass Tech. As part of this exciting event, I will lead a masterclass and mini lecture demonstration, sharing my expertise in blending percussive and contemporary dance. In addition, I will share information about domestic and international career pursuits in the dance industry. I am really looking forward to connecting and move with students from Detroit Public Schools Community District.
*Tues., March 18: Dance Minor MasterClass from 10a–3p (UM Flint)
I will lead UM Flint Dance Minors in a masterclass that brings them into my research of blending the rhythmic intensity of percussive dance with the fluidity of contemporary movement. This unique workshop explores how rhythm and musicality can drive expression, storytelling, and physicality, creating a dynamic and innovative approach to movement and composition.
*Wed., March 19th : Art & Entrepreneurship Symposium 6:30p at STAMPS Auditorium (UM Ann Arbor)
Join us for an engaging symposium exploring the intersection of arts and entrepreneurship. Hosted at Stamps Auditorium at the University of Michigan, this special event will feature a talk on navigating the global arts industry, a Q&A session, and a live-streamed Zoom conversation with international artists and creative entrepreneurs. The symposium will culminate in a moment of celebration as I receive the 2023 Emerging Artist Award in Dance from the SMTD Alumni Society. This event will be filmed and live streamed. Registration for the Symposium is now open so be sure to reserve your spot here!
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Thanks for reading,
Briana
“Be proud of how far you’ve come.”
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