Alishanee is currently working on a self-designed Master’s curriculum
Working Master’s title: The choreography of healing; embodied memory, community practice and performance catharsis
This master’s degree will be self-designed by the student and executed on the student’s own terms. With the logging of hours, discussion with mentors, writing of essays and blog entries, and creation of art works, the student will document her work and progression. Progress reports and learning objectives will ensure a linear goal is reached. The studies will include a mixture of technical class hours, theoretical readings/writing, watching films and live dance shows, going to see current art exhibitions, and attending lectures. By evaluating the curriculums/lecture catalogs of different master’s programs in similar disciplines, Alishanee has combined and designed her own course of study that includes trips abroad, structured exchange with mentors and peers, apprenticeships/internships and a final master’s thesis. Her main point of inquiry is ; where is the vertex that the performing arts and the healing arts intersect? Where does intuition meet intellect? Where does emotion meet logic? The answer; the body in motion.
Her main point of inquiry deals with the intersection of the performing art and the healing arts. She aims to gain knowledge on different philosophies and approaches to movement. Specifically, movement that is healing and therapeutic.
There was no masters degree that incorporated all of Alishanee’s interests so she decided to create her own. There is no name yet for what Alishanee wants to do, she is creating her own path as she goes along and following her dance wherever it takes her.
Master’s support structure
Alishanee is currently working on composing a seminar group of like-minded artists whom to she can present her research questions, methods and processes. She is also looking for potential mentors for one-on-one monthly meetings and discussions.
Key words: folklore, legend, mythology, archetype. dance, ritual, possession, sacrifice, religion, trance, catharsis, folk medicine, folk dance, dance therapy, alternative healing, birth, death, love, origins, ancient dance, dance anthropology, dance archeology
Book wishlist:
Lord of the Dance, (1966) by J D Bruce, V R and Tooke
A Time to Dance, (2009), Margaret Fisk Taylor
Ancient Art and Ritual (1913) by Jane Ellen Harrison
Dance as a Healing Art: Returning to health with Movement, and Imagery (2002), by Anna Halprin
Butoh Dance Training, Juju Alishina
The Dance Its Place in Art and Life (1914), Troy Kinney and Margaret West Kinney
Magic: A Theory From the South, (1959) Ernesto De Martino
Sacred Dance in the Ancient World, (2001), W.O.F Oesterley
RESEARCH- SELF-DESIGNED MASTER’S CURRICULUM
