Dancers inspired by brain scans

It’s not every day the rhythm of your brain waves get composed into a song.
Imagine a musical composition molded around the intensity of your thoughts, climaxing when you remembered your darkest secrets, sending the recording needle dancing feverishly on the paper as if to spill your deepest passions to the world through illegible scribbles.

But no one would ever know what you were truly thinking.
This bizarre privilege was granted to the Instinct Dancecorps pre-professional company at SCC, inspiring one of the many unique dances that will be performed in the upcoming spring concert, “My Body, My Mind.”

Instinct Dancecorps members received brain scans courtesy of Brain State Technologies and under the artistic direction of Angela Rosenkrans, dance instructor and program director. Lisa Thorngren is the co-artistic director of the SCC Moving Company.
The scans were composed into a single musical masterpiece and choreographed for a modern dance that reflects the thoughts of each performer on the most personal level physically possible.

Also performing will be SCC’s two other dance companies: SCC Moving Company, also led by Rosenkrans, and the Scottsdale Arizona Jazz Ensemble (SAJE), directed by artistic director Jennifer Mckusick.

When auditioning for these companies, “Dancers must have passion, work ethic, group cooperation, and potential,” said Rosenkrans.

Another distinctive piece will be performed by SAJE, involving the interpretation of annoyances that cause sleeplessness.

“It’s really cool with all the different sounds that could wake you up in the middle of the night, like trash cans, ambulances, even cats!” said SAJE member Caitlyn Taylor.
To produce these choreographed pieces, dance members commit about 4-8 hours per week to rehearsals.

Preparations for “My Body, My Mind” began the last week in January, illustrating just how much time these tight-knit companies dedicate to their art.  

In addition to rehearsals, company members are required to take technique classes in jazz, modern, and ballet, where they are given opportunities to perfect their styles and present their own choreography.

Reflecting on her personal experience of molding her chorographical work, SAJE member Courtney Stone said, “You can feel completely safe and secure in your style; you’re not worrying about the counts or what everyone else is doing, so it feels like home. You can be selfish.”

 “Keep an open mind,” Stone said in regards to the concert. “Don’t try to figure it out. Just appreciate the movement for what it is and remember how physically and emotionally challenging dance can be.”

“My Body, My Mind” will perform Friday, April 30 and Saturday, May 1 at 8 p.m.