"I Like To Cut" and other ways to dance

photo by Spenser Dugal

Meet Jacqui.

I should include a brief disclaimer here; Jacqui is one of my best friends. In high school it was basically like this; if you knew me, you knew Jacqui.

But the fact that we've always been close hasn't blinded me to her talent, nor does it nullify my belief in her talent.

I'll give you an example.

Jacqui came to visit me several weeks ago, and proudly displayed her newly developed YouTube channel with a single video on it. It was of an assignment she had for dance class, a "text solo" in which she had to choreograph a dance while simultaneously speaking a monologue about a childhood memory.
Jacqui chose to do her solo based upon a time when she was five years old and cut all of her brother's hair off because "all her Barbies were bald."

Jacqui slipped on her first pair of ballet slippers at the wee age of three. I went to many of Jacqui's

Jacqui starting dancing when
she was 3 years old.

dance recitals over the years. I remember sleeping over her house during recital time; carving out a space to sleep among the costumes, makeup boxes and the seemingly never ending pairs of tights. 

I always knew she was a good dancer. But I didn't realize HOW good. After watching her text solo, I was beyond impressed with my best friend; with how she used voice, facial expressions, and movement to communicate a childhood memory.

I was really proud. And I know Jacqui was too, even if she's not the type to openly boast about how freakin' awesome it was.

Through middle and high school, Jacqui always danced. But as a student at a performing arts school, instead of pointe shoes, she carried around camera equipment. Storyboards in place of leotards. Excel spreadsheets stuffed into her backpack where you might have expected to find bobby pins. Jacqui majored in communications, specializing in film, graphic design, and was a vital member of our yearbook staff.

But moving onto college, despite her skill in all of these areas, she knew her passion lay in dance. Her decision to pursue it, however, wasn't without it's challenges. Jacqui feels there's a lot of misconception about dancers, especially that dancers aren't as smart as engineering or psychology majors. In reality, however, she claims that belief is far from the truth. She thinks many dancers have plenty of other interests and capabilities in other areas, but simply choose dance instead.

"I had many career path options to take out of high school. Business. Medical. I wanted to be in marketing for a while, then I wanted to be a forensic pathologist and go into criminology," she said. 
"I chose dance because I couldn't live without it. Dancers have so much awareness of their own body, mind, the world around them, cause and effect, professionalism, and understanding of the way people function on an anatomical level and a mental level. I feel like dance has taught me so many things about myself and this world that would have taken me decades to figure out by another medium."

She now attends the University of South Florida in Tampa where she majors in dance studies.

photo by leanna scachetti

 Right now, Jacqui is preparing to dance in two pieces in USF's spring dance concert; a contemporary pointe piece by faculty member Paula Nunez. She's also re-staging a professional piece called "Lucifer's Prance" by choreographer Robert Moses.
 "That piece was an amazing opportunity and crazy awesome experience to work with Robert Moses for a couple days," said Jacqui.

Jacqui will also be competing in the American College Dance Festival in March in Georgia. Judges there will then decide which dances will perform in the final gala, and which will continue to the national division. On top of all that, Jacqui is rehearsing for two student choreographed works to the Student Dance Production on campus. She also teaches dance at a local studio. On her own, she is working on projects for her choreography class, which, hearkening back to her high school days, is a way for Jacqui to incorporate two loves of hers; dance and film.

Jacqui displays an arabesque at the Empire
State Building in NYC.

"Dance on film is interesting too because you control what the audience sees and doesn't see based on the frame of the camera as well as the use of editing, which can enhance a work to a whole different dimension. I'm just starting to dive into that kind of work and I have a few ideas I want to play with on my spare time." 

After she dons the cap and gown, Jacqui wants to work her way up to join a contemporary ballet or modern company. She counts the Spellbound Contemporary Ballet in Italy, Celli Contemporary Ballet in Italy,  and Robert Moses Kin in California as among her dream companies.

But if it doesn't work like she's planned in the time she's planned it to, Jacqui has ideas of using her other skills to continue working in the dance field, just not on the stage.

"I have said that if auditioning for companies I like doesn't work out right away that I could intern with the company's business side, using those skills to get me in. Then I could take classes with the company, get to know them, and work my way in as a dancer."

Dancing isn't always a brisé. Jacqui points out that dance is about overcoming challenges and problem solving every day. For her, the biggest challenge is to keep pushing through, even in the times of frustration and exhaustion, both mentally and physically. But it's the pursuit of improvement that keeps her going.

"Having the sense that something is just working out beautifully, and feeling that step that I always struggle with work out perfectly for the first time is always an amazing feeling." 

Jacqui (far left) poses while rehearsing a student
choreographed dance by Vanessa Vargas.

Despite being a versatile dancer with experience in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, and hip-hop, Jacqui doesn't think that's what sets her apart.

"I approach each class, rehearsal, and performance with a certain mindset that I've noticed lots of other dancers, and people, don't have. Positivity and an open mind are so important, especially when working with dance because negative thoughts bring you and the whole group down and an open mind leaves so much room for creativity," she said. "Leave the judgment at the door, enter with an open mind ready to learn, create and explore."

photo by leanna scachetti

She sums it up by saying it's not perfection she's seeking. Which would seem odd from someone whose career seems to be based upon the achievement of perfection (cue Black Swan.) But for Jacqui, being "perfect" isn't the end goal. 

"Perfect means I've reached the end. I always want to continue growing and learning, improving, and creating."


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Clarchitecture : The Mitch Clarke Project

If you spend enough time with Mitch Clarke, you'll start to realize that he speaks another language; a foreign tongue which even the most savvy polyglots may find challenging to decipher...words like  "Rendering" and "Cantilever" are just a few you may hear him spurt out as he meticulously works at his computer which may also be simultaneously blasting the best hits of the 80s. Clarke is a Clarchitect: a 3rd year architecture student at the University of Florida who's dreams are, quite literally, sky high. 

Read on to learn more about Clarke and watch as he gives you a sneak peek at his latest project. Comment, like, and share!

As an already accomplished young designer, Clarke spends a great deal of time diligently working in the design studio and has been recognized as 1 of only 200 students at UF for his outstanding for his work as a University Scholar. This measn that he'll be doing undergraduate research with the College of Design, Construction and Planning.

Clarke displays an observation pavilion he designed.
The model is made of bass wood, chipboard, and moss.
It took Clarke four days to build.  

 "I am one of 5 students from my specific college and also one of about 200 students through the whole university this year that will be recognized. What I will be researching is the effect of architectural design on student housing." Clarke says that this has recently become a passion of his that combines what he spends most of his time on-architecture and housing.

Clarke sings Fergus and Molly at his final chorale performance for the UF Men's Glee club and Women's chorale concert. Photo courtesy of Men's Glee Club.

 Clarke describes himself as "not the most normal person you'll find.
"To say that I’m over the top is an understatement. I feel that keeping things positive and lively make things better and try to brighten up everyone that I come across. Some interests of mine include musical theatre, singing, sketching, photography, event planning, student affairs, digital design, fashion design, interior design, and of course, architectural design. My hobbies are pretty limited, but I usually revolve them around singing with UF Men’s Glee Club and participating in student organizations in the School of Architecture."

As well as being fully involved in his studies and extracurriculars, Clark is also a Teaching Assistant for the Design 4 course in the School of Architecture.  

"This is the semester when students exhibit all their work over the past two years to the gain admission into the upper division in the School of Architecture. So far it has been a little time consuming, but overall a pleasurable experience. Seeing students progress with their designs over the semester, and many over the past year is uplifting. What I have learned is to be patient with people, and that when under the right circumstances, you can see people blossom and grow."

Clarke working on his context model in the design studio at UF. The context model displays the surrounding buildings of the site he plans to design on.

Though he cites the beginnings of his journey in Architecture with his freshman year at the University of Florida, Clarke says that in retrospect, he was always interested in how buildings worked and operated. 
"What interests me the most is how a building can make a statement of its surroundings and the way history can have an impact on a building. Another thing that strikes me as beautiful is the difference in scale that plays such an important role in architecture. How does a detail work into a room? The room on the floor layout? The floor layout in the building, and then the building in the site? These things become measurable and phenomenological in the sense of how one feels in the space."

Clarke is currently embedded in his work on a design of a library/research institute in Charleston, South Carolina. 

"My idea behind is the concept of an alley that shifts through the building much as an alley will do through the city itself, separating two main volumes of space on the city block. The idea stems from a mass/void relationship that builds and focuses on the walkability of the city to be incorporated into the project."

His dream building?
"My dream building would be a student housing development at a university that would incorporate sustainable features while using design techniques to help build community among its residents."

Digital model of Clarke's boathouse project.

Out of all of his projects to date, Clarke says the project he is most proud of is his final project for his 5th semester in the School of Architecture. 
"That was a design for a boathouse/clubhouse for the Florida crew team. I spent a lot of time working on details for the project, renders, drawings, and now my concept. The most striking part for me was the sustainable features that I incorporated which evolved from materials used, design techniques, and future planning for the site. Overall I had about 18 drawings and the project went well with the judges."

Clarke's work doesn't stop with the school end of the academic year. This summer he plans to study abroad in Hong Kong and Indonesia.  "For one week we will study the city of Hong Kong, the urban context, how the city plays a role in the life of an individual as well as the lives of the citizens as a whole. As we move into Indonesia, our studio takes over and we focus on a major design issue in the city of Yogyakarta. Here, we work with students of a major university to start the design process. What’s exciting (and terrifying at the same time) is that we will be working with students who may not speak English fully. This becomes a true test of my diagramming/drawing skills to communicate how I see the city and to examine how they view their home. Another major thing that I will explore is the student housing in Indonesia that will play a major role in my research back at UF. Of course, after all the research, sleepless nights, and presentations, I will be vacationing in Bali for about a week which will allow for the biggest de-stressing after a 4 week studio project."

All in all, Clarke adds that, for him, the design process does not come alone.
"Although I am proud of my achievements in the Department of Housing and the School of Architecture, I did not get here alone. If there is something I’m thankful for, it’s the group of people who helped me to get to where I am today. The professors, people on staff, peers, students, and above all, my friends who have been there with me through the good and bad."

Quote to live by?

"My quote to live by is from Walt Disney. It states “We keep moving forward, opening doors and doing new things…and curiosity leads us down new paths”. This exemplifies how I think my designs should manifest and how I manage my everyday affairs. Being stuck in the moment does you no good. Dwelling on the past hinders you. Another quote I have to remind myself of is again by Walt Disney. It states “All the adversity I've had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles have strengthened me... You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you”. In the design realm, one can easily tear apart your project, not because they think less of you as a person, but because they want to see you design succeed. Taking things personally has always been an issue for me, and sometimes that “kick in the teeth” is what sets my mind right to further myself as a person and as a designer."

This one's mine

This particular story started a little while back. About 19 years to be a little more precise. The story of someone who loves to tell stories. If you stick with me, you'll get to hear a lot of them. Stories about other people; their lives; their dreams; their work. This blog, yes- this one's theirs. But to start it off, you'll need the story of the storyteller. So this one's mine. 

 My mom has told me since I was young, over and over again "Leanna, if you want something badly enough, you can achieve it." I've been known to be very cautious and meditative in my decision making, but I can honestly say I have found the niche where I am no longer hesitant, and a place where I feel I can best use my personal talents and abilities to serve others.

I didn't always start off thinking I would want to do what I do now. Against the Texan backdrop in which I was raised, the elementary-school-aged me saw herself in a more rugged setting...as a cowgirl or farmer. But my aspirations eventually began to change and develop when I moved to Florida and was accepted into an arts middle and high school. There, I was able to find the skill set that began to form my ideas of my future role in the real world, and what kind of purpose my efforts would be put towards. I wanted to tell people about the world and about all the people in it. I loved feeling like I was working for something bigger than myself; how I was given the opportunity to serve the community I was a part of. As you can see, I wasted no time...

I started off reading the daily lunch menu and have since progressed to playing a role hosting and producing in my college's Integrated News Facility,

While I was a communications major, I realized that there was a way to make a living doing the things I loved doing. People fascinate me. I love to listen to them, and I love it when someone teaches me something. I like making each day unique, and collecting stories with me along the way.

My greatest aspiration is to become a well-respected journalist who has the ability to travel and report through all platforms. I hope to have a fulfilling career reporting and that eventually I will make a positive impact in this field and continue to enhance the storytelling medium.

I like to use photography to help capture some of those stories. 

Leanna Marie Photography

So this blog here. This is for artists, dancers, dreamers, thinkers, tinkers, and all those in between. I want this to be a platform for them to share their work, their thoughts, and their dreams with you, so that one story may affect another in some positive way. After all "We are the music makers, And we are the dreamers of dreams." So stop in often, and experience their stories. Because if anything else isn't, this one's theirs.