Assistance Professor of Dance Cara Hagan grew up with parents who loved music, theatre and reading. As an interdisciplinary artist, she gets inspiration from many sources.
“I am recognized as a mover, writer, filmmaker and community artist. I also make music and visual art. I don’t limit myself to a genre, because I believe the ability to speak many languages is what helps me to express most honestly what I wish to express,” she said.
Why should a student interested in Dance Studies choose Appalachian?
“I think if a student is interested in a dance education that leaves room for other creative and scholarly endeavors, this is a great place to go. I think if a student wants opportunities to work collaboratively with other students and explore their own ideas through melding art and scholarship, App is a wonderful place! If a student has any interest in somatic work, looking at the connection between mind and body, this is a great place to go.”
What do you love most about teaching dance Appalachian students?
“I love that students at Appalachian are coming from a whole host of different disciplines. Very few of our students do dance only. I have the pleasure of teaching biologists, political scientists, journalists, historians, architects, and the list goes on. Each student brings their unique perspective to the artistic process and I believe it makes the art all the more rich… I think art works best when it can be seen through multiple lenses.
“My teaching style is very collaborative. I don’t pretend to hold the answers to everything and I love seeing my students discover new things, as well as discovering things along with them. I learn so much in the classroom.”
