Last week, DJ Smart was in residency with Grand Valley State University’s dance program students to teach classes and to set a piece for the program’s fall concert. Smart is well known for his work as an actor, dancer, choreographer and teacher.
Smart’s residency gave students the opportunity to learn not only movement and dance techniques but also from his experiences and stories from the professional world. During his time at GVSU, Smart aimed to create an environment that mirrored what it is like to work as a professional dancer.
GVSU dance students said the expectations were very high, the movement was physically challenging and the process stretched them mentally. Students who were part of Smart’s creative process worked with the choreographer Monday through Friday 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. to finish the approximately six-minute piece.
“He has been creating a brand new dance for the GVSU Dance Company…