Guide to the Stanford University, Chocolate Heads Movement Band, records SC1511
Emma Frothingham
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
August 2020
Green Library
557 Escondido Mall
Stanford 94305-6064
specialcollections@stanford.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Title: Stanford University, Chocolate Heads Movement Band, records
source:
Stanford Historical Society. Oral History
Program
Identifier/Call Number: SC1511
Physical Description:
700 megabyte(s)
Date (inclusive): 2019
Physical Location: Special Collections
and University Archives materials are stored offsite and must be paged 48 hours in advance.
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[identification of item], Stanford University Chocolate Heads Movement Band records
(SC1511). Department of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University
Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
The Chocolate Heads Movement Band records consists of oral histories conducted with members
of the group in 2019.
The Chocolate Heads Movement Band was founded in 2009 by Aleta Hayes, lecturer in
Stanford's Department of Theater and Performance Studies. The group requires no previous
dance background and encourages dancers to engage in the choreography as well as
performance. Many of the Chocolate Heads' performances have centered around a location or
space, such as the Green Library rotunda.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Interviews conducted as part of the Stanford Community History Toolkit in cooperation with
the Stanford Historical Society Oral History Program and sponsored by a grant from the
Stanford Associates.
Some oral histories are restricted to users with a Stanford University ID.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Dance in education -- United States
College students.
Stanford Historical Society. Oral History
Program
Chocolate Heads Movement Band
Bouden, Clément 2019-05-29
Clément Bouden - Recordings
Clément Bouden - Transcript
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.
Levine, Amber Dale 2019-05-29
Amber Dale Levine - Recordings
Amber Dale Levine - Transcript
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.
Ncube, Imani 2019-05-29
Imani Ncube - Recordings
Imani Ncube - Transcript
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.
Syrkin-Nikolau, Judy 2019-05-02
Judy Syrkin-Nikolau - Recordings
Judy Syrkin-Nikolau - Transcript
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.
Xu, Cherie 2019-05-29
Cherie Xu - Recordings
Cherie Xu - Transcript
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.