How did you come about presenting a piece for the Freshman Touring Company?
Upon receiving an email offering an application for those who wanted to set a piece for the Freshman Touring Company, Tehillah decided that this would be a great opportunity to work with the freshman class. Tehillah enjoys choreographing very much, as this allows her to work with various people as she gets to know them on a personal level. The class schedule of the freshman and juniors is quite different, so it is unlikely for the two classes to see each other on a regular basis. As a result, Tehillah was especially excited to choreograph a piece for FTC, as this would enable her to build a connection with the freshman class. As she recalls on her own FTC experience, she remembers it being one that was fun and crazy. It is because of her great FTC experience that she wanted to choreograph for the touring company. Stating that she wanted to give back by creating a joyful and enjoyable piece.
What is the concept of your piece?
The overriding theme of Eight Walking is the quality of joy and receptiveness. The piece reflects the rejoicing for what’s to come based off of the passage “Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow”, (Jeremiah 31:13, The Bible). The movement of the piece correlates with this overriding feeling of joyfully and expectedly waiting for a certain goodness that will soon be provided.
Describe the movement style of Eight Walking?
Tehillah describes her movement as subtle; yet when danced by those who are fully committed to the movement, quite powerful. The movement has an internal rhythm to it, as each movement is not on the obvious beat, but rather the personal flow of each dancer. The music, composed by Will Cannon, has a very peaceful and content-with-life sound. The mandolin offers such a unique tone, much like that of the dance movement. Tehillah’s goal for the musicality of the movement was to not fall into the systematic even phrasing of the music, but rather juxtapose the movement to the music. This uneven rhythm further heightens the intensity of the overriding theme of flight and breath. There are both quiet moments, and energetic moments within the piece, making it one that is dynamic.
Can you briefly explain your experience as a choreographer?
Since high school Tehillah has loved choreographing, and her experience at the University of Michigan has only heightened this awareness. Through her composition classes at the university, Tehillah has been able to further express herself through movement. Believing that dance should be utilized to communicate with others, and not simply for self-satisfaction. During her freshman year, Tehillah created a solo for herself, which she found to be quite meaningful. This then led her to take on a choreographic project sophomore year. This project entailed an informal concert during her winter semester where she was able to showcase four works, in which she had solely choreographed. Earlier in the year, Tehillah was given the opportunity to perform the solo that she choreographed at the American College Dance Festival Association.
What is your goal as a choreographer?
Tehillah’s goal as a choreographer encompasses her forming a company that will explore the many ways that dance can be used to serve the community. Finding ways to make dance not just an entertainment art, but one that can help those in need plays a significant role in her choreography. One idea Tehillah has is raising money for starving children from company performances.
How has choreographing changed you as a person and dancer?
As a dancer Tehillah states that she has become more aware of what she is communicating with her dance movements, and is now more accustomed to the tools choreographers use to explain movement intention. As a result, she is able to understand and consequently perform the vision of the present choreographer. As a person, she finds herself constantly looking at the world with the perspective of a creator. Throughout Tehillah’s days, random things will catch her eye, and from this she will form movement concepts.
What advice would you give to choreographers?
Tehillah cannot express enough how important taking risks, and not being afraid of your personal uniqueness is. She states that it is so important to stay true to yourself, despite outside critics. It can be hard to go full force into what you believe is the right direction for a piece, but Tehillah believes that going after what you want, is a must.
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