Five Questions for KerryLyn Kercher

American KerryLyn Kercher is a trained dance therapist: until summer 2022, the Fulbright scholarship recipient will be working at the Research Institute for Arts Therapies at Alanus University. In this interview, she explains why she came to Alfter, what she is currently working on, and what she hopes to gain from eurythmy.

Click here for english version.
 

1. Where are you from? And what is your professional background?

I am originally from Allentown, Pennsylvania, in the United States, but my last place of residence was Philadelphia. I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance from Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia, in 2014. After that, I danced professionally for several dance companies on the East Coast: Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and New York City. In 2019, I went back to school and completed my master’s degree in Dance/Movement Therapy at Drexel University in Philadelphia this past June. Among other things, I have a strong interest in dance improvisation, both solo and in partner work. However, I am strongly influenced and inspired by all art forms and enjoy collaborating with other artistic media.

2. You received a Fulbright scholarship and will remain in Germany until July 2022. Why did you come to Alanus University in Germany?

Part of my interest in coming to Alanus University was participating in the Eurythmy Therapy degree program. Alanus seems to be a hidden gem that offers insights into the work of the mind-body connection and other contemplative art practices. I hope to learn more about this field of study as I enter my own field of dance/movement therapy (DMT). I am interested in finding out how DMT and eurythmy intersect and inspire one another. That will be useful to me as a therapist.

3. What exactly are you doing at Alanus University, and which projects are you currently working on?

I work here at the Research Institute for Arts Therapies, where I am involved in a major international project with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Research Alliance CATs. Together with Prof. Sabine C. Koch, we are preparing systematic reviews on the evidence base for arts therapies. The latest review focused on the use of art, music, dance, and drama therapy in the field of dementia. I am also involved in the Journal of Arts Therapies (JAT), the open-access online journal for the arts therapies.

As part of the international student community, I will also offer a dance/movement therapy workshop at the end of October and perform at the scholarship award ceremony on October 28. I hope that I can continue to take part in events organized by the International Office, as I am very grateful to be part of the international community at Alanus University.

4. You are a trained dance therapist. How do you bring this perspective to Alanus University?

I would say that my education is rooted in dance and movement science. And my master’s degree in Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT) is brand new. That puts me in a completely open, exploratory position in which I hope to learn even more by participating in eurythmy classes and eurythmy therapy. The DMT field is constantly growing and expanding its body of knowledge. Since I have not yet participated in the eurythmy therapy program or in eurythmy classes, I am not sure how I can situate myself within it. However, I am looking forward to learning more about eurythmy therapy before reflecting on similarities and differences with the work of a dance/movement therapist.

5. What do you hope to gain from your stay in Germany and at Alanus University?

First of all, I would like to thank the university, especially the International Office, for the extensive and generous support! One of my wishes is, of course, to immerse myself in German culture and improve my German language skills. I am a beginner, but I will continue working on the language throughout the year. I also hope to be able to take part in eurythmy and eurythmy therapy classes offered specifically at Alanus University and to learn more about the arts scene in Bonn and Alfter. One of my goals is to offer DMT-inspired movement classes in the community before my time in Germany comes to an end.