What sets ImmerseATL Alumni apart?
Hear from Atlanta dance makers & leaders on what it’s like to work with ImmerseATL Alumni.
Atarius Armstrong
“ImmerseATL Alumni have a distinct willingness to play and explore movement further than the steps given to them much earlier in the rehearsal process than most other artists. It's almost as if there's this additional layer of sensory added to the movement quality, which makes it extra enjoyable for me as a movement maker.”
Felipe Barral
IGNI Productions
“One of the most beautiful things I like to do is to build teams of people who inspire each other, who feel empowered to bring their own creativity, and who rise to the occasion with a fearless passion for what they do. I think dancers coming from the ImmerseATL program shine in different cultural fields. For instance, I had the pleasure of mentoring Andie Knudson and discovered she had a passion for filmmaking. Without hesitation, I invited her to be involved in some of my productions, and she has been a valuable member of the team who has been filming shows with me in the city. In fact, I’m very proud she was part of the all-female camera crew who helped me do one of the first multi-camera livestream events for The Atlanta Opera. Her professionalism, dedication and eagerness to learn has allowed her to apply her movement knowledge from dance into the camera work with her own creative voice.”
Raianna Brown
Komansé Dance Theater
“My favorite part of working with ImmerseATL Artists and Alumni is their understanding and appreciation of exploration as a movement artist. An ImmerseATL dancer is acutely aware that there is always space to discover and uncover more depth and intention within every movement no matter the style.”
Raianna is a 2019 ImmerseATL Alumna
Patsy Collins
Choreographer
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my experiences working with ImmerseATL Alumni! They bring a degree of professionalism and clarity that heightens the work in a great way. I also appreciate their fearlessness and ability to dive into whatever is being asked of them without hesitation.”
Patsy is a 2019 ImmerseATL Alumna
“The Neighborhood Ballet and Rise City Dance communities are so fortunate to have ImmerseATL Alumni on both our faculty and leadership teams. These remarkable humans infuse their work with thought and care and believe deeply in their roles as teachers and mentors to the next generation of young dancers.”
Angela Harris
Dance Canvas
“I have been so impressed with the ImmerseATL Alumni that have come to work with Dance Canvas. We have had the pleasure of having 3 ImmerseATL alumni as part of our Choreographer Career Development Initiative and several more perform with us as dancers. The ImmerseATL Alumni always come into our programs with an incredibly professional work ethic. All of them go above and beyond our expectations when it comes to marketing themselves and managing their cast of dancers. The ImmerseATL Alumni are also so creative and come into our process with captivating movement quality. We love the chances that the ImmerseATL Alumni and dancers take when approaching choreography—it makes the rehearsal process exciting to watch. ImmerseATL prepares their artists for professional stages, and as a Director, I love working with artists who make it easy and enjoyable to work with them!”
Xaiver Lewis
VIAUNI
“In my experience working with ImmerseATL Alumni, I have come to realize that they all move with a very keen, sharp sense of artistry. What Sarah Hillmer and the ImmerseATL staff are able to accomplish with these artists is truly something to behold.”
Carolyn Stine McLaughlin
Movement Arts Atlanta
“It has been my pleasure to work with ImmerseATL Alumni in staging historic work and making new work over the past several years, a total of six in all. I find these artists to have a professionalism and technical proficiency that enhances the process. Additionally, since 2018, ImmerseATL has been invited to the Inman Park Dance Festival, which I direct for the Inman Park Festival and Tour of homes. I know that I can count on Sarah Hilmer, ImmerseATL's founder and director to bring work to the event that is meaningful and well presented.
I would highly recommend ImmerseATL to any young dance artist looking for the next step to take to get them to a professional career. This is a unique organization that I know I will continue to support and would recommend that you do, too. “
Jillian Mitchell
Kit Modus
“Immerse Alumni understand a broad network of Atlanta dance creatives and have deepened clarity on how their own sensibilities will direct and shape their paths as artists.”
George Staib
staibdance
“ImmerseATL Alumni have the all-too-rare ability to invent, integrate, problem-solve and dynamically contribute to any choreographic process. Their level of professionalism coupled with intense physicality have brought meaningful energy to my company. This program fuels young artists with boundless integrity and creativity.”