From Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, Liv is a third-year graduate student furthering their research in dance choreography, improvisation, and performance through the lens of psychology. Entering dance practices from a multi-dimensional point of view, their research explores the intersection between the subconscious mind and movement, specifically how humans’ conditioning affects their perceptions of the world and how that perception is translated into movement. Recognizing the importance of community, relationships, and shared experiences in their own life, Liv’s work is often extremely personal and used as a tool to navigate trauma and harsh lived experiences through collaboration, trust, and guidance.

Their work often explores themes of human construction, social structures, and empowerment. Seeing art as an expression of the world, Liv’s choreography often speaks about topics surrounding mental health, trauma, harmful societal conditioning, and indoctrination. Deconstructing non-supportive neuropathways using improvisational methods like non-stopping, recognizing impulses, speaking thoughts, and following subconscious movement, Liv’s choreography is supported and centered around how one’s body wants to move, dissecting the reasoning behind personal blockages, perception, being seen, and choices. While also connecting to choreography through poetic writings, drawing, song, and visual guides, Liv explores how multiple art forms can collaborate to create something deeper and larger.

Currently choreographing their thesis, which premiers this November, Liv is eager to embody another process of exploration and collaboration with dancers at the University of Iowa.