Meet the graduate: Anna McCulla
Trained: Academy of Music and Performing Arts.
Now: Freelance dance and theatre artist.
What is your best memory of full-time studies?
During my time at AMPA, I found a love of contemporary dance, which I had not been exposed to previously. I began to explore my choreographic voice and connect my mind and body through improvisation. A fond memory of mine is of lengthy group improvisation classes where we would create and then discuss movement and choreography. I think this opened my mind to the value of authentic movement and I began to experiment with different ways movement could be derived.
Another memory I have from AMPA is of the numerous opportunities we had to perform (minimum three shows a year) in professional venues. I have always loved performing so this aspect of the course held great value for me.
Did your original career aim change from when you started your studies to when you graduated?
One beneficial aspect of the course at AMPA is that it opens and exposes you to so many facets of dance. When I left high school, I knew I wanted to continue with dance but was unsure of which direction to take. I had at this stage predominantly trained in jazz, hip hop and salsa, which naturally lead me to study as a jazz major, but I graduated and entered my professional career as a contemporary dance artist and thoroughly enjoyed the freedom to express my ideas this way.
It is difficult to say if my “original career” goal changed during my time at AMPA as I entered the course with an open mind and was unsure of which exact direction I wanted to take. However, I do believe AMPA exposed me to a form of contemporary dance that intrigued me and this ultimately led me to uncover a path I may not have gone down otherwise.