Overview
In July 2024, Ceci Sun participated in a month-long intensive study abroad residency in Amsterdam, Netherlands, facilitated through the Johns Hopkins University Global Education Office and the Peabody Conservatory. Under the leadership of Peabody faculty artist Kelly Hirina, a select cohort of BFA Dance students traveled to the Netherlands to train with leading European choreographers and research directors at ICK Amsterdam and Henny Jurriëns Studio (HJS).
Somatic Practice and ICK Amsterdam Repertoire
During the residency at ICK Amsterdam—the contemporary dance company led by Emio Greco and Pieter C. Scholten—the dancers intensively studied the company’s acclaimed Double Skin/Double Mind movement method. This methodology focuses on sensory awareness, physical expansion, and the intuitive coordination of breath and body limits. In addition to rigorous technical sessions, the dancers explored company choreographic concepts and learned official repertoire directly from the ensemble’s repertory library.
Repertoire Intensives at Henny Jurriëns Studio (HJS)
Concurrently, training was conducted at Henny Jurriëns Studio (HJS), recognized as one of Europe’s premier open training centers for professional dance artists. At HJS, Sun studied the distinct physical languages of world-renowned master choreographers, learning classical and contemporary repertoire from esteemed mentors. This coursework included focused studies of the choreographic signatures of legendary dance makers Jiří Kylián and Akram Khan.
