Creator: Bouden, Clément

Creator: Moreland, Pamela

Abstract: Clément Bouden (2022 Undecided) speaks about his experiences as a member of the Chocolate Heads Movement Band and his first ever introduction to dance while at Stanford. He talks about the communal nature of the class, the ability of the dancers to do their own choreography, and how the experience has given him confidence. In particular, he describes how their breathing exercise together grounds them and helps them move as one.

Creator: Levine, Amber Dale

Creator: Moreland, Pamela

Abstract: Amber Dale Levine (2018 BS Architecture; 2020 MA Management Science and Engineering) shares some of her experiences from dancing with the Chocolate Heads Movement Band. She recalls how she found out about the Chocolate Heads as a sophomore and how her experience with Chocolate Heads since then has changed her. She describes the unique collaborative culture of the group under the leadership of Aleta Hayes and how that culture sustains itself over time. Finally, she reflects on memorable performances, including ones in Green Library and the McMurtry Building where dance and architecture meet to create a connection for the dancers to the spaces.

Creator: Ncube, Imani

Creator: Moreland, Pamela

Abstract: Imani Ncube (2021 BA African and African American Studies) reflects on her experiences as a member of Stanford's Chocolate Heads Movement Band. She mentions her dance experience in childhood, her return to dance with Chocolate Heads at Stanford, and the impact it has had on her in academic and personal ways. She describes the liberating, though demanding, experience of the creative process and how the confidence she has gained has opened her eyes to other paths in life. She also talks about Aleta Hayes, the faculty leader of the group.

Creator: Syrkin-Nikolau, Judy

Creator: Moreland, Pamela

Abstract: Judy Syrkin-Nikolau, a former researcher in Stanford's Neurology Department, reflects on her experiences as a member of the Chocolate Heads Movement Band. Syrkin-Nikolau relates how joining the group provided her with a community when she moved to the Bay Area. She describes the collaborative nature of the group under Aleta Hayes--how individually created pieces are then used to build the choreography of duets or group dances. She notes the diversity of the dance troupe and how Hayes creates beautiful performances from this diversity. She also talks about the concept of performance in dance and in life.

Creator: Xu, Cherie

Creator: Moreland, Pamela

Abstract: Cherie Xu (2020 BA Symbolic Systems and French) reflects on her experience with the Chocolate Heads Movement Band: what drew her to the group, the performances, and the choreography. She describes the creative process as self-representative and mimicry, and the dancers' ability to be resilient and to accept criticism. She talks about performing for the first time in her life, as well as the visceral-ness of dance vis-à-vis the intellectuality of ideas. She also relates how dancing with the Chocolate Heads has positively impacted the way she thinks about her academics and life at Stanford.