Finding Your Artistry Beyond Words with Stefanie Nelson

One of the beautiful things about dance is the ability to express yourself without words. You can just dance. Joining Erin on the podcast today is Stefanie Nelson, Founder and Director of Stefanie Nelson Dancegroup (SND), a contemporary dance company based in NYC. Stefanie also established Dance Italia, an international summer dance program in Lucca, Italy. Today, she shares what kickstarted her lifelong love of dance and the influence that Alice Teirstein had on her journey. She also offers insight into her college journey and what it takes to make it as an artist in New York City. Tuning in, you’ll learn how she transitioned from dancer to choreographer and how 9/11 ultimately led her to Italy. She details her time dancing and choreographing in Italy before returning to America and shares her vision for Dance Italia. To learn more about Stefanie’s career highlights, challenges, and the different projects and initiatives that keep her busy, be sure not to miss this episode of Movers & Shapers. Thanks for listening in!

Key Points From This Episode:

·       How quitting piano led Stefanie to a lifelong love of dance.

·       Alice Teirstein and what led her to become a dancer.

·       What it means to “make it work” as an artist in New York City.

·       How Stefanie eventually transitioned into creating her own work as a choreographer.

·       Running away to Italy after 9/11 and how it played out.

·       Highlights from her time dancing and choreographing in Italy. 

·       Details about the Dance Italia festival and the vision behind it. 

·       How the organization and planning for Dance Italia have changed over the years.

·       The different projects and initiatives that Stefanie is busy with. 

·       Insight into her upcoming work in 2025 and beyond.

·       Highlights, challenges, and other obstacles from Stefanie’s career journey. 

·       Her hopes, aspirations, and dreams for the future. 

“There’s something very beautiful about being able to express yourself without having to articulate words, ideas, thoughts, and sentences in a linear way.” — Stefanie Nelson

Stefanie Nelson is the Founder and Director of Stefanie Nelson Dancegroup (SND), a contemporary performance group based in NYC; DANCE ITALIA, an international summer dance festival in Lucca, Italy; and Motore 592, a bold, new, center for contemporary movement practices in Lucca, IT. 

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