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Levey Day School
A Community Jewish Day School
Lisa Hicks is the director of New Dance Studio, where she teaches
modern dance and dances herself. Lisa and Daniel McCusker founded
New Dance Studio. Lisa danced with Ram Island Dance Company, and
is now the instructor of dance at the Portland Arts and Technology High
School and also teaches at Bowdoin College.
H.S.: When did you become interested in modern dance?
Why modern?
L.H.: Well, I went to college at UNH, and I was a tennis
player until I got injured. Then I took a dance class and
I fell in love with dance, because it was so athletic. I did
not actually take modern until I came to Portland. Then
I found out about the history of modern and I thought
that it was so interesting! Modern was even more
interesting than ballet because it has more ideas
behind it.
H.S.: Who inspired you?
L.H.: Mostly Gwyneth Jones and Danny McCusker. They helped me to
keep on dancing, and they were very supportive.
H.S.: When did you found New Dance Studio?
L.H.: 1996. Ram Island Dance was fading out, and Danny and I knew
we needed change. Danny and his friend bought the studio and we
founded it.
H.S.: Where is your favorite place to dance?
L.H.: I love my studio. I love to dance period. But I really like the studio
because it is mine. It makes me feel special.
H.S.: What is the best part about teaching kids modern?
L.H.: I love kids, I love teaching kids. The best part about teaching kids
is that they are so open to anything, and they have a lot of good ideas.
They also just love to move. It’s different with grown-ups. I still like
working with grown-ups, though. They are not quite as open. They
already have patterns in their bodies that determine what they are
going to do. Kids are just more spontaneous!
H.S.: How does it make you feel when you see your students dancing
on stage?
L.H.: Usually I’m really nervous and I’m not even dancing to release my
energy. It’s a little nerve-wracking.
H.S. Who did you study with?
L.H.: I studied with 4 or 5 teachers in college (that was ballet and jazz).
Then with Gwyneth Jones and Danny McCusker for modern, and also
ballet with Larry Robinson. He was very supportive.
H.S.: How long do you think New Dance will be around?
L.H.: It’s been around for about 11 years now and I have no intension of
stopping. I do want change though, I want a black box theater. I hope it’
s around for at least 10 more years.
H.S.: Did you teach anywhere else before New Dance?
L.H.: I traveled to different schools with Ram Island Dance all over and
taught.
H.S.: What’s the best experience you’ve ever had with dance?
L.H.: I have many highlights. It makes me feel so happy when I see my
students make big leaps. It happens all the time in the studio. I also
love watching students on stage.
modern dance and dances herself. Lisa and Daniel McCusker founded
New Dance Studio. Lisa danced with Ram Island Dance Company, and
is now the instructor of dance at the Portland Arts and Technology High
School and also teaches at Bowdoin College.
H.S.: When did you become interested in modern dance?
Why modern?
L.H.: Well, I went to college at UNH, and I was a tennis
player until I got injured. Then I took a dance class and
I fell in love with dance, because it was so athletic. I did
not actually take modern until I came to Portland. Then
I found out about the history of modern and I thought
that it was so interesting! Modern was even more
interesting than ballet because it has more ideas
behind it.
H.S.: Who inspired you?
L.H.: Mostly Gwyneth Jones and Danny McCusker. They helped me to
keep on dancing, and they were very supportive.
H.S.: When did you found New Dance Studio?
L.H.: 1996. Ram Island Dance was fading out, and Danny and I knew
we needed change. Danny and his friend bought the studio and we
founded it.
H.S.: Where is your favorite place to dance?
L.H.: I love my studio. I love to dance period. But I really like the studio
because it is mine. It makes me feel special.
H.S.: What is the best part about teaching kids modern?
L.H.: I love kids, I love teaching kids. The best part about teaching kids
is that they are so open to anything, and they have a lot of good ideas.
They also just love to move. It’s different with grown-ups. I still like
working with grown-ups, though. They are not quite as open. They
already have patterns in their bodies that determine what they are
going to do. Kids are just more spontaneous!
H.S.: How does it make you feel when you see your students dancing
on stage?
L.H.: Usually I’m really nervous and I’m not even dancing to release my
energy. It’s a little nerve-wracking.
H.S. Who did you study with?
L.H.: I studied with 4 or 5 teachers in college (that was ballet and jazz).
Then with Gwyneth Jones and Danny McCusker for modern, and also
ballet with Larry Robinson. He was very supportive.
H.S.: How long do you think New Dance will be around?
L.H.: It’s been around for about 11 years now and I have no intension of
stopping. I do want change though, I want a black box theater. I hope it’
s around for at least 10 more years.
H.S.: Did you teach anywhere else before New Dance?
L.H.: I traveled to different schools with Ram Island Dance all over and
taught.
H.S.: What’s the best experience you’ve ever had with dance?
L.H.: I have many highlights. It makes me feel so happy when I see my
students make big leaps. It happens all the time in the studio. I also
love watching students on stage.
| Lisa Hicks Tells Her Story By Hattie Simon |
Lisa Hicks, dancing
