Today we are profiling newly-minted graduate Natasha Bojkovic’s “Plan A”! Many of you may know that Natasha was not only a Communication Studies major, but was also a Dance minor. Natasha will be studying at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London, specifically to pursue a Diploma in Dance Studies.
I asked Natasha to tell us about why she decided to go to Trinity Laban and study dance: “Part of the reason I decided to apply to a program in London is because my parents are from London and my extended family still lives there. It’s a place I am both familiar with and curious about.
As far as deciding to apply to a dance program instead of graduate school immediately, the decision was based on what I want to learn at this exact moment in my life. I would very much have liked to double major in Dance and Communication Studies but did not find the time, so I majored in Communication Studies and minored in Dance. I would like to get my master’s degree but at this point in my life I do not feel ready to decide between applying for a master’s in a communication-related field or a master’s in performing arts… I’m hoping taking this year to devote myself to dance will help me decide. There is a lot more I want to learn about performance, and I need a lot more physical technique training if I plan on pursuing a career in dance. I have a sneaking suspicion that whatever I decide to pursue in graduate school it will involve of combination of the two (the possibilities of which USF has already helped me explore!).”
Natasha dancing a West African dance at USF last year
I also asked Natasha to tell us about how she found this program: “I found out about Trinity Laban from a prospectus that was sitting on a table outside the dance office in Koret. I kept it as an option in the back of my mind, did a little bit of research, but did not really consider it a serious option until I saw a poster for an audition they were holding in San Francisco in November. I was nervous but the dance faculty at USF encouraged me to go for it, what was the worst that could happen? Along with auditioning and speaking with Laban faculty, the application process included two essays, two recommendation letters, all of my grades, and a video of me performing in the USF fall dance concert. I was accepted in January. I am excited to spend 8 hours a day 5 days a week dancing! I will be taking modern and jazz technique classes, along with choreography and potentially even a teacher training course.”
Natasha is one of those few graduates whose Plan A is already in place, so I asked her what advice she has for other soon-to-be or recent grads: “I advise people to be curious and take chances, apply not only to programs you are sure about but long shots as well. What is the worst that could happen? And if you get stuck, the faculty at USF is more than willing to help you figure out where you are really going, and what the best way to get there is.”
Thanks, Natasha, for the advice and information! We are so proud of you! Good luck in your dance program!
