Faith Woodberry at Jacob's Pillow
For Faith Woodberry, this summer at Jacob's Pillow became a transformative experience—one that strengthened her practice while giving her a deeper sense of purpose and community as a dancer. Surrounded by teachers and peers who supported and challenged her, she accomplished things she had not known she was capable of and discovered the power of working within a community of artists.
Daily training at Jacob's Pillow went beyond developing technique. Faith and her peers explored the histories of the dance styles they practiced, considered how those traditions can be sustained, and examined the impact of dance on both individual and global scales. They also considered their relationships to one another, their environment, and the spaces they occupy, approaching dance as an evolving art form rooted in connection and responsibility.
The experience taught Faith to approach her practice with greater patience, openness, and intention. The support she found at Jacob's Pillow gave her the confidence to take risks, while the lessons she learned from her teachers and peers strengthened her resolve and brought new meaning to her dancing.
"Being there in community with everyone felt like I had an unshakeable tailwind behind me. That feeling of knowing that I would be caught if I fell—that constant energy propelled me into my practice, strengthened my resolve, and imbued my dance with meaning."
Made possible through an Anthony Quinn Foundation Scholarship in Dance, Faith's summer at Jacob's Pillow gave her not only new artistic knowledge and skills, but a lasting sense of community and purpose that she continues to carry into her practice.