In this series, Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences is shining the spotlight on distinguished members of the Class of 2022 from a wide array of disciplines.
Alexandra Strouse ’22 graduated magna cum laude with bachelor’s degrees in dance performance and choreography and strategic communications.
She was recognized with the Outstanding Senior Dance Performance & Choreography Award this spring.
While at Elon, she served in numerous capacities within the Department of Performing Arts: as a teaching and learning assistant in modern dance and dance improvisation courses; a student representative on the Dance Program’s Guest Choreographer Selection Committee; and as a rehearsal director in Elon’s Fall Dance Concert. She presented her choreography alongside faculty work in the Dancing in the Landscape Concert in fall 2021 and performed in mainstage productions all four years at Elon.
She was vice president of Delta Chi Xi honorary dance fraternity and a member of Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honors Society. She also worked as a campus tour guide.
What opportunities did you have for undergraduate research?
I completed undergraduate research titled, “Media Self-Censorship and Its effects on Media Consumers Societal Perspectives: A Study on College Students,” through my strategic communications major senior capstone course, COM495 Great Ideas: Issues & Research. I also assisted in undergraduate research through my communications internship with Elon’s Center for Design Thinking in the summer and fall of 2020.
Who were your mentors, and what have relationships with them meant for your college experience and future?
I am eternally grateful for Assistant Professor of Dance Alexandra Joye Warren’s mentorship over the past few years at Elon. I worked closely with Alex in the spring of 2021 for the Spring Dance Concert and was a student in her modern dance class in the fall of 2020. Following these on-campus experiences, I worked as an apprentice dancer with her dance company, JOYEMOVEMENT, in Greensboro. I appreciate all her dance industry advice and am inspired by her creativity and leadership.
Likewise, I am incredibly grateful for the mentorship of my academic advisor, Associate Professor of Dance Renay Aumiller. Renay has supported and guided me through the process of countless performance and choreographic opportunities in the dance department over my four years at Elon. I was also lucky to be a teaching and learning assistant for her Dance Improvisation I course. I am inspired by the example she sets for me as a professor and as an artist.
What are your plans following graduation?
I will be moving to New York City to pursue my career as a dance artist. Beginning this summer, I will be working with the Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation’s Ailey Extension as their performance and workshop coordinator.
Was there a particular experience or accomplishment you’re proudest of?
The most valuable experience during my undergraduate years at Elon was working on my senior thesis dance concert, “Place Address Here,” in collaboration with my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance and Choreography cohort. This concert featured our original choreography and production, highlighting the unique artistry of the 14 members of our class cohort. Through this concert, we shared our individual explorations and depictions of the idea of “home.” I worked on the artistic directing team, marketing and PR team, choreographed, and performed for our thesis concert. This concert culminated our work in the dance department over the past four years and was a special, celebratory final bow on the Elon stage.
What advice would you give future Elon students?
One piece of advice I would give to an incoming student is to go about everything at Elon (and beyond) with the idea that you have everything to share and nothing to prove. Take chances and put yourself out there. Your experience is individual to yourself. I would also advise you to go see all the Department of Performing Arts shows.