Landon Spurbeck (BFA '28) and Amara Duke (BFA '28) rehearsing for Emma Marcellana's Fresh Shesh piece | Photo by Emma Marcellana

Emma Marcellana (BFA ’28) shares her experience preparing for Fresh Sesh, her first student composition showing with USC Kaufman.

The first-year cohort understood that the beginning of our second semester — amongst other things — meant the beginning of Fresh Sesh. Continuing the tradition started by the Class of ‘25, we were tasked with coordinating, choreographing and performing our first cohort-produced showing at USC Kaufman.

From improvisation and composition to Fresh Sesh

Our introduction to composition began during the first semester with DANC 130: Improvisation and Composition with Bret Easterling. While this course was heavily focused on improvisation, we learned several movement generation techniques. This included finding inspiration from surroundings, text and art, which we then translated into our choreographic processes. We’ve continued our journey in composition with Professor Grimes this semester. Through guided prompts, peer feedback and an open space to workshop, we experimented with the use of space, dynamics, actions and relationships in composition.  

In addition to physical composition, Fresh Sesh allowed us to utilize intentional lighting and costume design as part of our choreographic play. We had the privilege of working with Callen Gosselin — our wonderful Dance Production Manager — who helped us explore lighting possibilities. From the very beginning, we were encouraged to approach this project not as a collection of individual works, but a curation of a cohesive “movement mixtape”. Simultaneously, we were presented with an opportunity to showcase the individuality and diversity of our class. 

Forming my Fresh Sesh piece

I had the pleasure of choreographing on my classmates Landon Spurbeck and Amara Duke, setting a contemporary ballet duet to Sheku Kanneh-Mason’s Apres Un Reve. The initial stages of my Fresh Sesh process involved listening to my music on repeat, compiling a Pinterest vision board, and using the ballet barre as my partner before bringing Landon and Amara into the studio. I drew inspiration from the concept “sonder,” the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own. As such, I experimented with how individual experiences become interrupted and interconnected when one person becomes aware of the other. Embracing trial and error, we played with weight sharing, motifs, and flowing in and out unison. With limited choreographic partnering experience, I drew upon techniques from Professor Bruce McCormick’s partnering class. Landon and Amara’s collaboration on this left me extremely grateful for their openness and trust. 

Gratitude for Fresh Sesh

I could not have asked for a more supportive and comprehensive introduction to the world of composition. Initially apprehensive of creating a piece from scratch, I am leaving Fresh Sesh having discovered new compositional tools. I also enjoyed working with my cohort on a more intimate level. Together we navigated production logistics, shared studio reservations, and immersed ourselves in the unique worlds of one another’s choreographic processes. Above all, Fresh Sesh has made me deeply inspired. It has left me grateful for the creativity and community that I’m surrounded by each day.

Support for Fresh Sesh

We hope that you will join us in a celebration of the Class of ’28 on February 27, 2025. Please visit the USC Kaufman website for tickets and further details on how you can support the first-year cohort in a showcase of incredible student works.

By Emma Marcellana (BFA ’28)