Student Profiles: Dance

Emily Picchietti: Video Profile Emily Picchietti, dance major, talks about the Northwestern dance community, the intellectual challenge of dance, and challenging herself. Watch the video >>

Parker Murphy: Passionate about dance

Parker Murphy (C13) was looking for a small, intimate dance program in a university and found it within Northwestern’s School of Communication.

"The faculty are incredible and committed to dance education," Murphy said.

The size of the dance program means there’s a lot of opportunity to get involved.

A typical quarter for Murphy includes full-time classes, two dance shows, and two to three theatre shows. "I perform, do set design, technical direct, and produce," he said. "I love exploring all aspects of the performance arts world, and Northwestern is the perfect place to do so."

Murphy has performed in two Danceworks performances, an annual show staged in winter quarter, is a member of the extracurricular Graffiti Dancers group, performed with his peers at the American College Dance Festival Association during spring break, and has produced, choreographed, and danced in the Fall Dance Project, a show put on by the student dance group, the New Movement Project.

Murphy also became a peer advisor for incoming dance majors.  And what sage words does this dance major have for his advisees?

"There is so much diversity on campus," Murphy said. "People have such strong interests, and it is inspiring to see and hear what is going on all the time. It is a busy place that keeps you occupied and learning through experience, which I find to be invaluable."