Today we’d like to introduce you to Sydney Sorenson.
Hi Sydney, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In my early years, I found joy in constant motion. The art of wiggling became my genuine mode of self-expression. At a young age, my parents brought me to the Utah Arts Festival, and when they couldn’t find me, I suddenly reappeared on stage dancing alongside a reggae band. From that instant onward, my path was clear – there was no looking back.
I hail from Provo, Utah, where I initially honed my craft as a dancer. I kickstarted my path in Utah Regional Ballet’s pre-professional program, where I laid the foundation for my artistry. The allure of modern and contemporary dance led me to Ririe-Woodbury’s Step-Up Program, where I truly found my rhythm.
In 2013, I proudly graduated Cum Laude from the University of Utah, armed with a BFA in Modern Dance. This achievement marked a significant milestone, reflecting my dedication to the arts. Following my academic accomplishments, I embarked on an enriching chapter with L.A. Contemporary Dance Company, embracing the transformative guidance of Kate Hutter over a span of two years.
While in LA, I danced as an AGVA performer at Disneyland and continued to pursue work as a freelance artist. This endeavor offered me the chance to travel abroad with the Helene Fischer Farbenspiel Tour in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. I remember laying on stage and looking up at the crowd thinking I need to relish in this moment.
My passion for dance led me to pursue further education, culminating in a remarkable achievement: an MFA from New York University Tisch School of the Arts graduating Magna Cum Laude in 2017. During this time, I was uniquely selected to craft performances as an integral part of the Master’s Performance Workshop, a testament to my artistic curiosity.
This piece explored looking at disordered behavior specific to blood flow in the brain. It helped me understand an experience unlike my own in a very visual way. Additionally, I had the privilege to share the stage with Kidd Pivot at City Center, an opportunity curated by the visionary Crystal Pite. She continues to be an inspiration of mine.
Throughout my journey, I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with esteemed choreographers such as Alan Hineline, Alex Little, Bonnie Story, Jaci Royal, Ori Flomin, Ricky Palomino, Sidra Bell, Talia Favia, and Tokyo Inouye. I co-starred in ABC Family’s “The Mistle-Tones,” and my dance escapades appeared on screens and stages worldwide, including a memorable stint on “A Chance to Dance,” dancing alongside the likes of Grimes, The Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and as a dancer for the Utah Jazz.
Today, I continue to work as a performer with NOW-ID, channeling my artistic expression under the direction of Charlotte Boye-Christensen. NOW-ID is a fiercely contemporary dance company that creates design-driven productions, pushing the boundaries of my own choreographic endeavors. Simultaneously, I’m honored to share my expertise as a tenured Associate Professor of Dance at Allan Hancock College in California.
My passion is to continue to encourage students to find their own unique voice through movement, making dance accessible to all who aspire to benefit from its teachings, regardless of their chosen career path. So there you have it – from wiggles to worldwide stages, my dance story is one of passion, persistence, and an unshakeable commitment to making the world groove, one step at a time.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My path has been marked by its share of hurdles. With over twenty relocations throughout my life, moving always seemed to be a pattern of persistence. My parents faced a house loss when I was twelve, leading to an upbringing in my grandparents’ basement – a humbling experience that shaped my character in profound ways. In order to continue my training, my mother worked numerous jobs to pay for dance classes and pointe shoes. Living amid chaos became my norm, leaving me restless and eager to keep moving.
The challenge of paying for college became evident. A scholarship emerged as my lifeline, enabling me to continue my studies as a dance artist. Making ends meet meant working as an NBA dancer while in college full-time. This experience had its perks, although it was also grueling. In a bid to relocate to New York City, I even resorted to donating my eggs – a testament to the lengths I was willing to go to pursue my dreams.
After graduate school, I decided to get married. I moved to the middle of nowhere and I immediately felt out of place. Thankfully, I got the news that my mentor, Charlotte Boye-Christensen, was heading the dance program at Texas Tech University, an hour and thirty-eight minutes (and a time change) away from where I lived.
Suddenly, I felt like I was living two parallel lives where I only felt like myself inside of the dance studio. My marriage ended and left me feeling broken and outside of myself. I applied for a full-time position at Allan Hancock College and moved, once again, to find myself grappling with the grief that I thought I could geographically move away from.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My artistic endeavors thrive in the realm of interdisciplinary and site-specific work. I am passionate about collaborating with diverse art forms, leading to creations that transcend traditional stage boundaries and infuse vitality into outdoor landscapes.
Last fall I directed a multi-disciplinary performance that crossed between six distinct art disciplines at the college. Students had the opportunity to collaborate with the guidance of faculty mentors. I was awarded a grant that supported funding for faculty, materials, a tent to house the stage, and an industry guest artist. This experience was truly rewarding and it taught me the importance of delegation with thorough communication. The performance was highlighted on the front page of the local newspaper showcasing the unique collaboration.
In crafting these experiences, my aspiration is to invite audiences into an immersive, multi-sensory journey. I intertwine movement and music, choreography, and culinary delights, creating an ambiance that transcends the ordinary. It’s a celebration, not just of the final result, but of the very process of creation and the magnificent interconnections among art forms.
My plan for the future is to cultivate a dance theater company with my partner where dance and food come together to offer a taste of movement. Through the use of movement, dance, music, and sound, Taste of Movement leads guests on a journey through the space, engaging with the environment and the culinary delights that are presented along the way. Our carefully curated food is designed to complement the movements and create a sensory experience that is truly unforgettable. Our experience is interactive, with guests encouraged to participate in the movement and engage with the food in unique and unexpected ways.
Yet, my proudest accomplishment to date extends beyond the canvas of my work. It lies in my dedication to continuous growth and exploration. Every step is a challenge embraced, a boundary pushed. My commitment to learning, evolving, and pushing boundaries remains my guiding light, propelling me forward on this captivating artistic odyssey.
There were many times I thought about pulling away from pursuing my academic pursuits and I am proud that I persevered so that I could finish my degrees. This journey started with passion, yielding a foundation in academia and beyond.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the COVID-19 crisis?
The COVID-19 pandemic revealed to me the transformative power supported by limitations, igniting a surge of creativity I had never imagined. As the world went inwards, I recognized an opportunity to redefine artistic boundaries. Dance, once confined to the traditional stage, evolved into an innovative realm, ripe with benefits and challenges.
Amidst the pandemic’s upheaval, I ventured into the realm of dance on film. This uncharted territory urged me to stretch my directorial skills, ultimately leading to the creation of a virtual performance. Despite the unfamiliarity, I remained committed to fostering students’ passions, even if it meant navigating new waters.
In the subsequent year, I embarked on a venture that redefined the very essence of dance performance. My vision was to create a show that transcended the confines of traditional venues, a site-specific performance nestled between the administration building and student services. By breaking free from the conventional stage, dance reached new corners of the campus, enriching the community’s connection to this art form.
The journey continued, and with each stride, the challenges grew more intricate. As mentioned, I orchestrated a multi-disciplinary spectacle, uniting dancers in the realms of film, fashion design, music, multimedia arts, and even culinary arts. The task at hand was monumental – coordinating and communicating roles among teams unearthed a strength I didn’t know I had. Yet, through tenacity and collaborative spirit, the culmination was a testament to the rewards that arise from conquering complexity.
COVID-19, with all its trials, became a catalyst for transformation. The constrictions of circumstance propelled me to explore, innovate, and transcend, unveiling new dimensions of dance’s potential. Through these trials emerged a richer, more expansive tapestry of artistic expression, where limitations became the launchpad for boundless creativity.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sydneysorenson.com/
- Instagram: @mssydneyt & @sydneymoves
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sydney.sorenson/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sydney-sorenson-041a0a39/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuRe1zgyYsG3pmDLsstdNwQ
Image Credits
Michelle Coppini, Brittany Heiland, Jiyang Chen, Alycia Kravitz, and Whitney Otte
