Meet Our Movers
The Emory Dance Program usually has between 40 and 50 majors and minors. Below, read about a few of our movers and their thoughts about studying dance in college!
Bibby Agbabiaka 24C
Majors: Dance and Movement Studies and Business
Hometown: Lagos, Nigeria
For most of my life, I’ve had a complicated relationship with dance. I never really knew what it meant to me, constantly stuck on the border between pastime and passion. Upon coming to Emory, I was exposed to dance and movement in a way that I had never thought of before. Through the amazing faculty and other dancers, I have seen all the magnificent things that the human body can do—pushing limits, telling stories and making reality out of dreams beyond our wildest imagination. At Emory, I have been blessed with the opportunity to explore who I am as a mover and a person; here, I have found a pocket world into which I can escape, whenever I feel lost—my pocket world called dance.
Jai Barnett 24C
Majors: Dance and Movement Studies and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Hometown: Rossville, GA
I had little dance experience before coming to Emory. I was in Color Guard for many years, and I wanted to explore dance further in college. However, it always felt like a huge risk. It wasn’t until I had my first dance class in this program, a ballet course, that I knew that this program was home for me. Dance is like a language, to truly express myself in every way, just without words. I find myself growing, exploring, and elevating in all areas of my life, not only physically, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Without our amazing faculty, who are all so encouraging and involved, I doubt I would be leading the life I am today, and I would not have been exposed to how multifaceted the study of dance and movement truly is. You are not just learning steps to a routine, you are learning, participating, and creating art, history, community, knowledge, and just plain movement.
Ilo Elder 25C
Major: Dance and Movement Studies
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Prior to Emory, I attended a performing arts middle school and high school, and so I can’t imagine education without art. However, I didn’t expect to have so many resources and examples on how to directly merge my non-dance and dance interests. At Emory, amongst the encouragement to enjoy and explore dance regardless of background, is the drive and passion to connect with our identities, the earth, and worldly issues as a dancer. I’m so excited to expand my talent and technique while cultivating that passion as well.
Dominique Jones 24C
Majors: Dance and Movement Studies and Human Health
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
From the moment I stepped into the studio, I knew that a dance major at Emory was for me. After being constrained to dancing in my room during Covid, this program enabled me to dance freely and explore movement in a way I had been craving during quarantine. At Emory I can simultaneously develop my ballet technique and artistry, investigate the modern and contemporary elements of my movement style, and prepare for a career in healthcare. Each class pushes me to take risks, become intentional with my movement, and have fun while learning. Through the support of faculty and the close-knit community of friends and dancers in the program, I’ve come to find my home away from home in Emory dance.
Madison Lee 24C
Majors: Dance and Movement Studies and Business
Hometown: Dallas, TX
I have been dancing my entire life, but when I first came to Emory, I wasn’t planning on dancing, and I definitely wasn’t planning on being a dance major. But after taking a class or two and being convinced to audition for Emory Dance Company, I fell back in love with dance and rediscovered my passion. I have absolutely loved being a part of the Emory dance community and I am so grateful for the training and opportunities this program has to offer. Dancing at Emory has allowed me to cultivate my movement style and learn about dance in so many more contexts. With the support of the amazing faculty and staff, I get to explore facets of dance that I have never done before. I have grown so much over these past couple years, and I am extremely excited to see how I grow in my remaining time at Emory.
Claire Qu 22Ox 24C
Major/Minor: Biology / Dance and Movement Studies
Hometown: Houston, TX
Before joining the Emory Dance Program, I thought of dancing merely as one of my favorite pastimes, not as a subject I would study. But after taking a modern class at Emory (Oxford) and watching an Emory Dance Company performance, I found a new appreciation for the art of dance. I have had the opportunity to explore many different styles of dance that I haven't tried before as well as gain insight into the infinite creativity dance can offer. Additionally, Emory is unique as it has given me and many other students a chance to blend dance with a science major. I had opportunities to incorporate my dance passions into neurokinesiology research on Parkinson's disease and have learned about the healing capabilities of movement. I am looking forward to continuing my dance journey at Emory!
Mia Shocket 24C
Majors: Dance and Movement Studies and Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology
Hometown: Washington, DC
Dance has always been my passion and I could not imagine a college experience without it. Throughout the application process, I found many schools that met my criteria academically but few that met my standards for dance. When I found Emory, I was met with the opportunity to double major in both dance and the sciences. The idea of nurturing creative scholars is real at Emory. Since arriving here, I have found a community of students like me. Double majoring is a balancing act, but the support of both the professors and students in the dance community have made all the difference. I am excited about where this journey will take me.
Gabrielle Stearns 23C
Majors: Dance and Movement Studies and Human Health
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
I've always known I wanted to major in dance in college. What drew me to Emory's dance program was the idea of studying dance in an academic context. I came from a performing arts high school where I got to take lots of technique classes, but what I found I was really interested in was dance history, literacy, and science. I absolutely love getting the opportunity to study dance as both an artist and a scholar. Being a double major requires a little more planning and time management but is completely doable. I have always had interests spread across many subjects, so I really appreciate how supportive my Emory professors are in double majoring.
