Images and Article by: Mathylda Dulian
At three years old, Ryan Brady began his journey in the dance world with impromptu basement dance sessions to Jason Derulo songs. As a 19-year-old dance major at George Washington University, his passion for dance and movement arts has led him to pursue his distinctive expression in the heart of vibrant Washington, D.C.
"I started dancing (formally) when I was nine," Ryan said. "My parents signed me up for dance classes, and I just started doing ballet, jazz, and hip hop."
Brady's dance experience encompasses a diverse blend of disciplines. From formal ballet and jazz training at a young age to hip-hop and contemporary dance as he got older, Ryan is now immersed in the GW Corcoran Theater and Dance program. Here, he navigates curriculum blending techniques of improvisation and production design while finding his voice in genre-less dance.
The GW dance studio, hidden behind two buildings on G St, is a small, white, old-looking house that reveals itself as a stunning dance loft. The sunlight poured into the studio through the large windows, illuminating the bright white room. The tall, dark ceiling makes the room feel spacious and echoes any music played. The scuffed floors bear marks of generations of dancers before him, and two mirrors hang off of one wall, allowing Ryan a small glimpse into what he is doing as he begins his fluid movement to the ambient music playing.
Brianna, a sophomore, fellow dance major, and friend of Brady's, first met him at a party. "As soon as he told me he was a dancer, I knew I wanted him to have the same transformative experience I did with dance at GW... I've always really admired Ryan's movement, and watching him in classes and rehearsals is really inspiring," she said.
"Ryan's dedication to his craft is truly inspiring," Brianna said. "He brings such a vibrant energy to our rehearsals, challenging us to explore new movement possibilities and pushing us to grow as dancers. Working alongside him has been a privilege and a joy."
Brady's journey of self-expression through movement serves as a testament to the transformative power of artistic expression and the power of movement. As Ryan continues his path as a dancer, his incredible skill and precise form of expression are evidently due to leave a lasting impact on the GW dance community and dancers around him.
