Dance Education Major KT Kossin Shares Her Experiences Dancing with BYU dancEnsemble
I have had the wonderful opportunity to dance with dancEnsemble for five semesters. My experience on this company has provided me with opportunities to grow and create friendships that will last a lifetime. DancEnsemble is where I learned that there aren’t limitations on who can and can’t be a dancer. I am truly humbled to dance with so many incredible people who have a wide variety of personalities, body types and experiences. The art that was created with these differences opened my eyes to see the possibilities dance can offer. I have further utilized this open mindset by being a student choreographer for the company for two semesters.
The opportunity to choreograph for dancEnsemble will always hold a special place in my heart. It gave me a closer relationship to God by allowing me to exercise the power of creation in the small ways that I can. While choreographing in the studio with my dancers, I've come to know that it is not fully me guiding the piece we are working on. Many times, I have come in and, after much thought and prayer, found my pieces taking form in front of me in ways I could never imagine, ways I know were divinely directed. Those experiences choreographing and collaborating with other dancers in the studio have strengthened my testimony of my Savior and helped me see the value of becoming a dance educator.
I will tell anyone that listens that everything great about BYU is exemplified in the contemporary dance area of the Department of Dance. DancEnsemble is the perfect representation of that. Every member of the company, no matter which semester they join, will love you with Christ-like charity and will support you in every way they can. Each new cast that is formed has brought me close friends that I will keep for the rest of my life. DancEnsemble is truly an incredible company. I will always treasure my time on it and I am so grateful to be a part of it. If anyone is ever interested in seeing what the heart of dance can be, I invite you to audition or come to a performance. I promise you won’t regret it.
