Today we’d like to introduce you to Patsy Collins.
Hi Patsy, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born and raised in Chicago, and my first exposure to codified movement was actually through Irish Dance. My family is second generation from Ireland and my sisters and I all participated in Irish Dancing for several years during our childhood. Though I drifted from dance for many years after that, I found it again in high school and then decided to pursue it in college at Emory University where I studied both dance and business. That was the first time I had studied movement intensively, and once I started my hunger was never really satiated. I love learning and am extremely grateful for the guidance and support of my professors. During this time I pushed my physical and mental limits of what I thought possible for myself within the field of dance, and am proud to now be a working mover and creator. Currently I am a company member with Staibdance, Komansé Dance Theater and ALA Dance. I also recently choreographed works that were shown at the Georgia Tech and Dance Canvas’ Skyline Series and the Spring for Spring Festival.
In my life as a marketing professional, my journey started at Emory as well. I received my Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a concentration in Arts Management and after graduating immediately jumped into the field. I worked for the Museum of Design Atlanta for a period, and currently work full-time as a Marketing Specialist for one of the largest school districts in the state. I also am the Marketing Coordinator for DanceATL, a non-profit focused on providing resources to the Atlanta dance community, and am the Communications Manager for Core Dance, an Atlanta-based contemporary company celebrating their 40th anniversary this year. I find all of the work I do for these organizations fulfilling in so many different ways, and love being a piece of the puzzle that makes their work possible.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I think like most my road has been both smooth and jagged at different moments in my life, keeping in mind that perspective is important and I am extremely grateful to be doing what I love each day. I pride myself on being a hard-worker and having a goal-oriented mindset. Having started my technical training much later than most, it can be easy to fall into a negative mindset of not feeling qualified or capable enough in such a competitive field. However, I hold myself to high expectations and am constantly working to learn new skills, attend new classes, attain new certifications and reach higher. I am thankful to have an incredibly supportive family behind me and community around me.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As an artist I am both a dancer and choreographer. When developing a new work I am most drawn to movement that is grounded, fast-paced and rooted in emotional explorations. The concepts I explore are often in the realm of the uncomfortable. I am drawn to intense physical connections between movers, and enjoy evoking emotional responses in audience members and sparking conversations that last long after the performance has completed.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I love connecting and collaborating with new people! Send me an email at patsyannc1597@gmail.com or follow me on Instagram at @patsy_collins.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @patsy_collins
Image Credits:
Personal Photo Credit: Cody Jacques for ALA Dance Additional Photo Credit (images DSC_0446 & DSC_0174): Brik Kochoian
