As a man in dance, I have come to understand and appreciate the differences in male and female bodies, their inherent physical attributes, and gender-specific movements. However, my choreographic and performance tactics are aimed at offering a different understanding. I hold both men and women to the same standard when choreographing, viewing, or performing dance. I create and perform dance so that I can express this personal aesthetic and vision. The process involves creating movement that expresses an idea, neutralizing the human body, and aiding the audience in realizing what I call The Human Experience. This can be best explained as the events and stages that transcend economic, social, cultural, and sexual barriers as prescribed by our environment. I place emphasis on both the beauty and pain of vulnerability, which is a facet of human life that binds us together. I fear that this element of humanity is fading quickly and dance facilitates my desire to remind us of this. I also believe that dance can improve not only the quality of society, but the quality of the individual. I want to spread the healing properties of movement by teaching Pilates and dance technique classes. Dance helped me to realize the essentials of both physical and mental health. Finding dance has brought a sense of fulfillment as a healthy, happy, and socially productive individual and I hope to provide the same kind of service to others.
Jim Reynolds was born in Raleigh, North Carolina where he began studying under Cindy Hoban. Jim soon found a deep interest in Ballroom Dance, especially Latin technique. He continued his studies in high school in the ISTD Syllabus under Melanie A. Dale, Daniel Santiago, Katy Massengill, and Adrienne McDaniel. Upon entering college at Elon University as a Vocal Performance major, Jim discovered a growing need to dance. Inspired by Cherie Bower, Jane Wellford, and Lauren Kearns, he progressed and was accepted into the BFA Program. Jim has performed the works of Chuck Davis, Laura Dean, Lauren Winslow Kearns, Cherie Bower, Amy Love Beasley, Jane Wellford, and Jen Guy Metcalf. In his freshman year, he helped to found the Ballroom Dance organization as well at the Flight of the Phoenix, the DanceSport Competitive Team.
As a 2008 NCDA Scholarship recipient, Jim attended the American Dance Festival and worked with Diane McIntyre, Shani Collins, and Celeste Miller. Jim was then asked to be a part of Diane's repertory Group. The summer of 2009 was spent as the School Intern with the Mark Morris Dance Group. He was accepted to the pre-professional program, where he studied under Mark Morris, David Leventhal, Lauren Grant, Tina Fehlandt, and Megan Williams. His Senior Thesis choreographic project I was. I gave. I am. Now. was presented at the adjudicated American College Dance Festival's Mid Atlantic Conference.
Jim graduated from Elon University with a BFA Dance Performance and Choreography degree in May 2010. Jim is excited to be an Apprentice for Caroline Calouche and Company as well as a dance instructor for several dance studios in the Charlotte area.
For a more comprehensiveresume, feel free to
Contact me
I was. I gave. I am. Now.
My Senior Choreographic Thesis Project.
jimreynolds7_gmail.com
