Genáe Yeldell

Since graduating from Miami University in May of 2022, I have been asked an iteration of the following question, countless times: “What would you describe as being your greatest accomplishment during undergrad?” Naturally, my time with Dance Theatre is the first experience that comes to mind. More specifically, my tenure as DT’s President. Oftentimes, the interested party will follow up with their assumption as to why I declare this to be my greatest accomplishment. “Is it because the organization provided you with the space to express yourself freely... the space to take a break from the academic rigor and other challenges in your life?”And yes, while these, too, are characteristics of Dance Theatre that will forever solidify my adoration of the organization, they could not be further from what makes me most proud of mytime as President.

​

On the contrary, serving as President for this organization felt like such a daunting responsibility, at times. I believe the best analogy I can draw is this: When selected to uphold any type of leadership role within Dance Theatre (Executive Board, choreographer, committee head, etc.), you quickly embody the sense that you have accepted a new around-the-clock job. In my case of Presidency, I was simultaneously completing my student-teaching internship inCincinnati during the fall semester; completing my final load of courses during the spring semester, which included a TA experience for one of LKR’s beginning modern sections; setting two distinct, yet both memorable, pieces on the Company. All the while, dealing with the typical affairs one may encounter as an undergraduate student. Naturally, all of these commitments at once can become – overwhelming.

There were many days where I would question myself: “Are you actively showing up enough for the Company?... Are you meeting the expectations and precedence set by those before you?... Are you failing this organization right now?” But then, there would always be subtle reminders that I was right where I was supposed to be, doing exactly what I needed to do. Whether this reminder came in the form of a random “thank you” text from a company member, or more direct forms, such as receiving ASG approval following many late nights preparing Red Brick Rewards submissions, all of the little things mattered. They helped to ground me and my anxiety. In hindsight, I recognize that there would have been no better preparation for my current career path, than serving as DT’s President.

Anyone who works in education can attest, that there are some days in which you are on top of cloud nine; then, there are the days that you just want to crawl underneath a rock. Yet, if you place your best foot forward each day, you can always find small specks of light that remind you – this is where you are meant to be. This is it for you.

Finding the power behind this keystone of life is what my Presidency taught me. This is why I will always argue serving as Dance Theatre’s President is my greatest accomplishment made on Miami’s campus. I cannot imagine making it through those 4 years without DT. I cannot imagine successfully transitioning into my career path without serving as President. Beyond my abilities as a dancer and/or the accolades one can include on paper, Dance Theatre provided me, the human being, with so much more. So much so, I could never find the right words to express my thankfulness. However, when words fail, it becomes all the more meaningful that I was given the opportunity to pour into the organization that has given me so much, and honor the art form that has quite literally shaped who I am today.