Love of dance and anthropology takes her to Europe, thanks to Choreomundus scholarship

 

Elizabeth Robinson could not smile any wider if she tried.

This lover of Latin dance, with a deep and abiding academic interest in anthropology, learned in late May that she'd been selected for the coveted Choreomundus scholarship. That support sends her to Europe this August, where she'll begin the two-year Erasmus Mundus master's program in Dance, Knowledge, Practice and Heritage offered through four universities in Europe.

Robinson, 29, will be the first to tell you her journey has been a long one, fraught with some frustration, confusion and not a few side trips. But ultimately, hers is a tale of persistence and a growing confidence in her own abilities and instincts. And for any student anywhere who has an inkling of personal interest but perhaps lacks the confidence to pursue it, Robinson's tale will embolden you to seize your passions and hang on tight.

Valley girl

For starters, Robinson grew up in Wasilla, always in love with music and dance. Her energetic enthusiasm and wide interests forecast a smooth path through school. Only it was not to be.

In high school, Robinson grew disenchanted with the classroom. She dropped out, and at her parents' insistence, tried a handful of times to start school at UAA and on the Mat-Su campus. These efforts-in French and dance-were for naught; nothing was clicking.  At 19, she'd saved enough money to leave Alaska and check out the wider world.

Thus began a journey that took her all the way to New York City, then back west to Portland. Along the way she worked when she could, and pursued French classes at night. In Portland, a chance job with an architectural firm that focused on innovative, sustainable design inspired her to think again about how she could contribute something significant and fresh to the world.

With that thought in mind, she enrolled at Portland State University. This educational experience was different; in 2012, she completed her degrees in French and anthropology, including rich study and work opportunities in Europe and West Africa. All of it fed her deep-seated passions for language and culture.

Her ties to Alaska drew her back after college. But now, with more focus and purpose, she began attending classes at UAA again, this time with a singular plan in mind: She wanted to shore up her academics to prepare herself for graduate school.

Campus mentors

She drew heavily upon UAA classes, including "Dance Appreciation" with Jill Flanders-Crosby and "World Indigenous Music" with Maria Williams. Language professor Patricia Fagan supported Robinson in an ambitious endeavor-organizing a concert and music festival that featured performers from the Dominican Republic. Robinson also took advantage of the different dance technique courses taught in the UAA dance department.

Robinson even hosted a weekly world music show on KRUA that was named "Best Student Show" by the Alaska Broadcasters Association's "Goldie Awards" of 2013.

Her time in Europe had introduced her to the Latin dance scene. Home in Alaska, she joined a Latin ballroom performance team, Alaska Dance Promotions.

Now, Robinson was on fire. She was eager to resume her passion for movement and dance.

A new journey

She remembers that December night in 2014 that crystallized her ambitions. She knew the Choreomundus application was due, but it still felt like a long shot, a dream too good to come true. But the application was free, she told herself; she'd be foolish not to try.

Long shot or not, in just a few short weeks, she'll head for orientation to the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim. Her two-year program will include time at the Blaise Pascal University in Clermont-Ferrand, France; University of Roehampton in London, England; and Scientific University of Szeged in Hungary. Upon completion, she'll be awarded a joint master's degree from all four universities.

As the Choreomundus website explains, the program "focuses on fieldwork and formal analysis of movement. The program develops an appreciation of dance that is comparative, cross-cultural, applied and embodied, and gives students the tools for making sense of intangible heritage within a culturally diverse world."

Elizabeth Robinson is ready for exactly this challenge.

Written by Kathleen McCoy, UAA Office of University Advancement