Hmm

... cool lines and roll around on the floor.

Um, I went to the univers- [laughs] I went to the University of Utah, um, which was an incredible dance education.

Um, and then I moved to New York, I made work, I kept moving, and I wanted to do more.

I did a master's degree in counseling at the University of Virginia with a focus on student affairs practice in higher education.

All that time I, uh, kept dancing, and I'm also currently a licensed counselor in the state of Maryland, so I'm able to keep that work focused on dancer mental health and doing workshops around that.

That wasn't enough dance in college for me, so I went to Ohio State, the Ohio State University, um, where I was the first person to do a PhD in dance studies, and the emphasis of my dissertation was dance in higher education, so looking at the history and the lived experience of dancers in higher education.

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Before we get into the meat of it, Ashley, can you tell us a little bit about your background and the work that you do through Dance and College Counseling?

Absolutely, and I'm so excited to be here.

This is my very first podcast, so I'm glad to do it with you.

I have a twisty, windy path.

I actually started dancing when I was 15.

So one of my high school friends wanted to take a ballet class and didn't want to go alone, so I said, "Sure.

I'll go with you," and I fell in love.

Can you talk about what faculty members are really looking for when they are looking for dancers at auditions?