Alumni Profiles

Gary Moore, 2006

After a lengthy professional career as a soloist and principal dancer with several major American dance companies, I began teaching dance in public education and have done so for the past eighteen years. In 2002 educational legislation entitled No Child Left Behind / Highly Qualified was passed. This legislation required that every teacher must meet certain criteria to be deemed "Highly Qualified." I possess a lengthy professional resume, a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resources, and an Associate Degree in Theology, but no degree in dance. I began to search for a Master's program that would be appropriate for me. After I had lost all hope I received a brochure from Lesley University that perked my interest. It appeared that I could receive a Master degree through the Independent Degree Study program that Lesley University offered, tailored specifically to my needs. In the autumn of 2004 I enrolled, and in January of 2005 I began work on my thesis.

I have always been interested in the history of American dance, and even more with the spirit that motivates people to express themselves through dance. Therefore, I was encouraged to tailor my thesis to reflect this. My thesis, entitled "Indigeosity! The Chronicles of a Hard Core Terpsichorean's Voyage of Discovery into the Genesis of American Dance Via Sociological Examination of Contributing Indigenous Cultures to Answer One Single Question: Why do we dance?", became an extraordinary experience. Conceived as part autobiographical and part historical, "Indigeosity!" revealed to me something far more than just historical data: it exposed that I was actually a writer, and apparently, one who could hold their own! I never dreamt that I'd author a work of such length and breath as "Indigeosity!" was to become. Further, it has opened the door to the possibility of publishing, as well as being able to speak or work at the university level! It would never have happened had I not become involved with Lesley University and the Independent Degree Study program. There is no other program I am aware of (and believe me, I've hunted them down) that could have ever provided such a glorious experience, an experience that paved the way towards new futures.

Dunya Dianne McPherson, 2006

"The focus of my Lesley INDS Program was writing a literary memoir about my journey in dance as meditation. My background is in professional dance. I have a BFA from Juilliard, followed by two decades in the NYC concert performance scene while serving on number of college faculties including Barnard College, Montclair State College and as Modern Dance Department Chair at Victoria College of the Arts in Melbourne, Australia. During my career I trained intensively for nearly two decades in sufism which introduced then honed my experience of dance as a mystical communion. These explorations serve as background material for my current project. Additionally, referencing a daily movement practice and its content as research draw me to the central challenge of my memoir project which is to find language that conveys somatic, sensory experience to my reader.

My Lesley team encouraged me to investigate and refine in academic terms as well as literary terms what I have previously delved into within artistic and spiritual frameworks. I entered the INDS Program with one idea of how to proceed and, under my team's aegis, have ripped it apart, discovered new ideas and re-stitched my project in numerous ways as my original objective tells me more about itself. Though not a criteria, I have found the process to be personally healing and integrative. I don't believe I could have done such a personalized, non-traditional and unique course of study in any other academic program, and since I live in New York City where I run my own lively, demanding performing and teaching business, Lesley's adaptable distance learning structure is essential to me.

Susan Thomas, 2004

"As a performing/teaching musician and computer enthusiast, I have long been interested in exploring the ways technology can aid in the mastery of music. The Lesley University Independent Study Degree Program has given me the freedom and flexibility to design a program that targets my specific interests.

I have found the Lesley experience to be exciting, valuable, confidence-building and lots of hard work! Because of the nature of the program, I was able to change the focus of my work slightly as I learned more about my field. My advisor, Marion Nesbit, and my team members have been very enthusiastic and supportive along the way. The culture of the University is very nurturing, while still being academically rigorous. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Lesley and I would recommend it highly."

Elizabeth Ann Gibbs, 2001

"I'm a certified yoga therapist with 800+ hours of professional training and a specialization in menopause and women's health. Yoga therapy is a low-cost highly effective mind/body technique of self-care which lowers stress levels and can help individuals achieve optimal health in their physical bodies, acceptance of their mental/emotional states and the ability to better manage the ups and downs of life in 'earth school.' Currently, I'm a health and wellness instructor at Bradley Memorial Hospital in Southington, CT and teach yoga classes in the Windsor/Bloomfield area.

I chose Lesley University for my master's in yoga therapy/psychology because there was no conventional master's program in the US which would give me a scholarly background in yoga philosophy and psychology, and allow me to hold down a full time job and meet my family responsibilities. The INDS program provided me with a focused and disciplined method to contribute to the view of menopause as a conscious transition to creativity, empowerment and growth through models provided by yoga psychology. My final project for the master's program is titled, Menopause, Stress and Your Heart: A Gentle Yoga Based Program for Health and Healing."