Clara Dutton Dance
Biography
Clara Dutton
Clara Dutton was born and raised in San Marcos, Texas. In middle school, she began taking dance classes and after only a year, she knew she had found her passion. Clara then danced throughout high school for competitive drill teams and in various studios
.
Ms. Dutton attended Texas State University where she pursued her B.F.A. in Dance with a concentration in Performance and Choreography. As a student., she danced on the world-famous Texas State Strutters from 2018-2020. During her time on the Strutters, she performed twice on national television; a Dallas Mavericks halftime and in the 2019 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. She also performed for Texas State’s Division 1 Football and Basketball home and away games, at Bobcat Stadium, The Alamo Dome (UTSA), and Kyle Field (A&M).
​
Later in her college career, Clara became an assistant for a dance ensemble at Texas State, CIM TEYA, or Creation In Motion Touring Ensemble for Young Audiences. There she learned how to maintain the behind-the-scenes and lead a dance ensemble. Most recently she choreographed and performed in her thesis piece “Down By The Water'' in the 2023 Summer BFA Showcase, which included a self-made/edited visual projection of the San Marcos river. In the same showcase, she also performed in an additional piece, “I am” choreographed by fellow BFA student, Brie Cross.
Ms. Dutton graduated from Texas State University in December of 2023 and is now in the process of earning her Texas Teaching Certificate. She hopes to direct a local middle school dance team and teach dance classes.
Artistic Statement
I dance for many reasons, but largely because I find comfort in movement. I dance to release energy and grow self-awareness. As I move my body, I am able to let go of my stressors and use them to fuel my creativity. I also largely lack awareness as to what I look like when moving, which allows me to explore movement based on feeling. Once I am ready, I use a mirror or reflect on rehearsal videos and am able to connect my physical sensations with the aesthetic of my movement. I dance in a way that is gentle on my body, while still being physically challenging. Movement helps my body manage pain, as I have several injuries. When choreographing, my preferred styles are contemporary, jazz, pom, and kick. I like to find movement that I connect to, and that is visually appealing. I enjoy choreographing stories and sharing them via movement. I also enjoy choreographing what I call body puzzles; movement that requires thought and full-body connection. This kind of movement is usually exciting to an audience as a lot of things are occurring at once.
TEACHING STATEMENT
As a movement educator, I create a class environment that fosters creativity, self-expression, inclusion, and a deep understanding of what it means to have a healthy lifestyle both physically and mentally. I provide a diverse range of choreographers, musicians, and guest artists to give the dancers a wide view of the dance world. I strive to teach the importance of balanced exercise and diet, with nutrition-based lesson plans. In the dance community, many dancers struggle to properly nourish their bodies after a long day. It is important to me that my dancers establish a healthy relationship with food and a good understanding of what is required to fuel their bodies. I teach students the importance of mental health with each unit, as we explore different ways to express ourselves and nurture our minds. I also provide clear physical demonstrations of technique and support dancers' exploration of their bodies in space. I encourage students to engage with me and each other when learning technique, and choreography.
Education
2023 Texas State University
B.F.A. Dance
concentration in Performance and Choreography
Select Relevant Experience
2018-2020
Texas State Strutter
From 2018 to 2020 I had the honor of being a part of the Texas State Strutters. I performed at university football and basketball games, spring spectaculars, dance competitions, galas, professional basketball games, and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC. I found so much pride in wearing my Hat and Boots and cherished every moment of this experience.
2023
Creation In Motion Touring Ensemble for Young Audiences
(CIM TEYA)
In January of 2023 I took on the role of Teaching Assistant for CIM TEYA. My responsibilities within this organization were largely administrative. I worked on fundraising, music editing, graphic design, scheduling, and served as general overseer of rehearsals This experince taught me the level of dedication it takes to run a dance ensemble
2023
B.F.A. Showcase choreographer
From June-August of 2023, I choreographed, taught, staged, and performed a piece titled "Down By The Water". This dance served as my B.F.A. thesis and was an Ode to my memories along the San Marcos River. In the same show, I also performed in choreographer Brie Cross' " I Am" thesis peice.