Name: Asha WhitfieldHometown: Cleveland, OHMajor: DanceMinors: Arts Entrepreneurship and Music, Media EnterpriseYear: Sophomore
HC: What are you involved in at Ohio State?AW: I am heavily involved in the Dance Department here at Ohio State, where I am the Sophomore Class Representative, as well as the Undergraduate Representative on a Search Committee within the Dance Program. Since Dance is my life, I tend to dedicate a lot of my time to the major; however, I am also a Resident Advisor on campus, where I get the opportunity to engage with residents on a daily basis, as well as work alongside fellow RAs.
HC: What are your plans for the summer?AW: This summer, I plan to do a Study Abroad in Costa Rica during May-mester for Dance. While in Costa Rica, I will be doing research on choreography and performance techniques used within the culture and how that compares to the styles we use here at Ohio State. Costa Rica will be a great opportunity to infuse what I know about Dance already with something new from another country. Beyond May, I plan to attend Summer Dance Intensives within the state during June and July, as well as working as a Camp Counselor at HBBHC (Hathaway Brown Broad Horizons Camp). In August, I will return to school for RA training, so I can get prepared for the school year all over again.
HC: What are you looking forward to the most about your study abroad to Costa Rica?AW: I cannot wait to see what the dance culture is like in Costa Rica and, more specifically, take traditional Latin classes with the natives. I love contemporary dance, but I think the Latin Social Dance will be a nice change of pace for the summer in combination with a regular contemporary technique class in the mornings. I love site seeing and spending relaxing time on the beach, so aside from dancing, I cannot wait to take in Costa Rica in general. It is an amazing country with a booming dance culture that seems to be flourishing in San Jose.
HC: What do you hope to do after graduation?AW: Upon graduation, I plan to audition for a variety of Modern Dance Companies in hopes to join one and thereafter travel and perform with them. My dream is to perform as long as I can and then make my way to Dance Education and spread my passion for the art form through teaching.