Graduates of the UW–Madison School of Education are enjoying successful careers in fields across the arts, health, and education — and we are excited to share what they are doing today.
Following is a Q&A with Katie Ryann, who graduated in 2023 with a BS in Dance.
How did you get interested in this field/major?
I have been dancing since I was three years old and had always dreamed of being able to support myself in this field. At the end of my high school career, I was concerned with the stability of a dance career, so I decided to pursue Environmental Studies as well, almost as a “safety net.” Although I no longer believe that I needed a “safety net,” I do not regret the decision to double major.
How did you decide that UW–Madison was the right place to pursue this degree?
I was really drawn to the emphasis that the UW–Madison Dance Department puts on scholarship. Other university programs I looked into prioritized physical practice significantly over other forms of study like written and oral-based discussions. It is a great skill to be able to break down movement through words, sketches, rhythm, etc., and UW was able to offer me this new understanding of dance.
What are you doing today (professionally, or where are you pursuing further education)?
I am currently the Operations Manager for the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City.
What was your most meaningful experience with the Dance program?
In 2023, I was awarded a grant from the Division of the Arts and created a series of dance films based off of feminine bodies portrayed by Italian Renaissance artists. I was supported wholeheartedly by the Dance Department during this time, through space, mentorship, and collaboration. To this day, this experience holds such a prideful place in my artistic identity.
What class or professor had the greatest impact on you, and why?
There are genuinely too many to include in a short response. Collette Stewart empowered me to trust my choreographic vision while encouraging me to take risks. Liz Sexe took hours out of her weeks to mentor me through grant writing and filmmaking. Duane Lee Holland Jr. taught me that I was so much more than a ballerina. Chris Walker brought out a level of athleticism and hunger that I didn’t know I had in me. Jennifer Nelson’s class, Art History 320: Italian Renaissance Art, ignited my passion for collaborative arts and taught me how to visualize movement in still artforms.
How, if at all, has the Dance program at UW–Madison helped you get to where you are today?
The Dance program at UW–Madison made me a smart dancer. I was able to explore my craft as a process, rather than just a product. I am able to translate this skill into all of the work that I do today.
Have you participated in any research, study abroad, or community service? What did you participate in and could you talk a bit more about those experiences?
During the summer between my junior and senior year, I started my career with the Joffrey Ballet School as an intern for their West Coast Summer Intensives. This was a great opportunity for me to get a foot in the door and begin a relationship with the company that I now work full-time for. This experience also aided my dance education during my senior year at UW, as I was able to bring a new perspective regarding the dance industry in Los Angeles.