To celebrate our McNeill graduates and community, we have interviewed graduating students on their experiences at Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder. The third graduate we are introducing for this Senior Spotlight is James Solis Gutierrez!
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How would you describe yourself and what you do?
James: I would describe myselfÌýas an artist who is fluent and invested in a wide range of dance forms including street dance, contact improvisation, contemporary, etc. What'sÌýinterestingÌýis that I enjoy being a homebody most of the time, but overall I love creating dance works and performances. I've been a part of many major productions within the Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØdepartment of dance such as the Current, Catapult, Open Space, and FRESH.Ìý
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What is your major(s)/minor(s)?
James: I'm a Dance major with a minor in Business and a certification in Hip Hop Studies.
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What are your next steps after college?
James: The next step in this place we call life is to move to Laguna Beach, California with my incredible partners. Though Colorado has been a huge place in my heart I believe it is time to spread my wings and live in an atmosphere that is completely different then what I am used to. I want to see how I can adapt to a new community and to build new connections within the field of dance there. I'm so excited to call this new place "home" and begin this new chapter in my life.
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Will you go to graduate school or another institution of schooling?
James: I don't intend to go to graduate school right now as I think this is a perfect moment in my life to just explore and cultivate a new sense of being. On top of that, I hope to gain experience before deciding to apply and honestly live as a civilian for a good while.Ìý
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Are you already working, or have you received a job offer?
James: I am not currently working, but I intend to audition for hip-hop street dance companies such as the Versa-Style Dance Company and Contra-Tiempo. I am also looking at a position as a program coordinator for the Laguna Beach Dance Festival in hopes to join their wonderful staff and team.
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How were you engaged on campus during undergrad?
James: As I mentioned I was a part of many dance productions within my department and that already has created a ton of connections with fellow peers and professors. Because the dance department was such a close knit community, I just became more involved even when I had to do tech productions for some shows. Regardless, my department has shown me what it means to be in community and I hope to take that with me as I start to build my own in Laguna Beach.
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How did the McNeill Academic Program help you reach your academic and career goals?
James: I would say that the McNeill Academic Program has helped me reach my academic and career goals by realizing that there is always support and guidance by the people around you. During the fall of my freshman year in college, I was having a hard time understanding how to do class registration, however, I went over to my academic advisor at McNeill and got the assistance I truly needed. That just comes to show that you can't give up when you don't receiveÌýhelp, but to reach out to others who can help you. I can say that without McNeill's generous, attentive, and constant care, I wouldn't be where I am today. They helped me achieve things that were unimaginable and I can proudly say I am graduating as a queer, Latinx, first-generation student. Thank you McNeill for all that you have done for me and my dreams!Ìý
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