May 17, 1998
760 Southern Arizona high school seniors triumph
Teens plan careers in medicine, music, media
Service benefits AIDS patients, the environment, accident victims
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May 17, 1998 |
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OVERCOMING OBSTACLES 760 Southern Arizona high school seniors triumph |
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GOAL-ORIENTED Teens plan careers in medicine, music, media |
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HELPING HANDS Service benefits AIDS patients, the environment, accident victims |
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| Express Yourself | ||
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A.E. Araiza,
The Arizona Daily Star
Claire Hancock plans to pursue a dance career in Chicago.
By Arthemma Gaxiola
Special to The Arizona Daily Star
As Claire Hancock was learning to walk, she also was learning to dance in a creative-movement class taught by her mother.
Since childhood, Hancock tagged along to studios with her mom, Melissa Lowe, an associate dance professor at the University of Arizona School of Music.
It was then - in those studios - that Hancock knew she'd be a dancer. Her feelings only strengthened over time with the guidance of her father, Jory Hancock, also a UA School of Music dance professor.
Come graduation, Hancock, 17, will leave Tucson and head to Chicago to apprentice with the River North Dance Company.
She will be the youngest jazz performer in the company.
Dancing ``has always been my focus point, the center of me,'' said Hancock, who trained for three summers with the Chicago troupe.
``I need dance,'' said Hancock, explaining that when she performs, she reaches an ultimate high.
Her love and talent for the art earned her summer scholarships to the Houston Ballet Academy, the Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago company and the Scottish American Ballet in Scotland.
Hancock also performed with the International Theater School Festival in Amsterdam, Netherlands, in 1997. In 1996, she appeared on stage with the Jazz Dance World Congress at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., and in 1994 she performed with the group in Chicago and Nagoya, Japan.
The years of sweat and aching muscles have paid off for Hancock, who continues developing as a dancer.
Hancock's days and nights at the UA were filled with ballet, jazz and modern dance classes and rehearsals.
That did not allow for a traditional schedule at Canyon Del Oro High School, so Hancock turned to the school's alternative program.
``I am grateful for CDO's alternative program working around my schedule to make my dream come true,'' she said.
While studying at the UA, Hancock's repertoire expanded after meeting jazz instructor Susan Quinn, an associate professor in the UA School of Music. Quinn is one of Hancock's main influences.
``She opened my eyes,'' Hancock said. Jazz - a combination of ballet and modern dance - is now Hancock's first love.
``I really enjoy dancing to different types of music,'' said Hancock, who admitted it was a struggle finding her style when performing jazz.
Again, it took hard work, but it clicked for the dancer. Hancock learned to unite her body and soul performing jazz.
As she heads to the Windy City, Hancock said she will give it her all each time she steps onto the stage - another lesson she learned from her parents.
Arthemma Gaxiola is a senior at Pueblo High Magnet School.