Arielle Israel

Arielle Israel definitely eats her carrots, but she craves dessert. A BFA dance performance graduate, Israel spent the summer after graduating in 2015 teaching ballet basics to young students in her hometown of Jacksonville, N.C.

“I tell my students that ballet is like your vegetable; it forms the foundation of all dance movements.” But while Israel is an accomplished ballet dancer and respects classical dance, she has more of an appetite for modern and jazz dance.

"I connect more and thrive on the energy that jazz and modern dance offers.”

Accepted into Giordano Dance Chicago, billed as America’s Original Jazz Dance Company, Israel is challenging her own flexibility and adaptability, both artistically and geographically. Giordano Dance is known for its innovative choreography, and Chicago is known for…well snow and freezing temperatures. Moving from Jacksonville to Chicago is a big change. “I’m excited to be doing what I love,” she says, “but it’s a little scary.”

“ I thrive on the energy that jazz and modern dance offers. ”

Israel feels well prepared for her new career. She chose Towson because she felt immediately comfortable on campus and in the BFA program. She credits many of the professors with guiding her to a successful career.

“Some students are afraid to knock on a professor’s door, but I often sought their advice.  They would do anything for you – provide contacts, advise you on what auditions to take, or just tell you stories about their own dance histories.” She is more than enthusiastic about her experience in the dance program, and the extra attention from faculty was the icing on the cake.