Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Ward.
Hi Brittany, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
One of my favorite quotes is by Hallmark Card artist Lynn Giunta: “Something magical happens when I’m using my scissors to create art…I might discover a different way to form a shape, or I might even end up liking what I cut away more than what I cut out.”
I began building and putting materials together with my dad at my childhood home. At age 10, the technique of putting pieces together relative to movement all began to make sense; I was in fact, stepping into the realm of choreography. My artistic and choreographic journey began on a 6-mile road, aka McNichols. McNichols and Evergreen are the two major cross streets surrounding what would be considered where my unique talents began to grow. I choreographed and performed my first solo dance at age 10, one block east of where I’m standing in the photograph at my childhood church Trinity Faith UMC.
My choreographic endeavors really took flight my senior year at Renaissance High School in Detroit, Michigan. In 2000, I led our dance workshop team to be nationally recognized after winning the top outstanding student choreography award at the National High School Dance Festival in Long Beach, California. And eventually, just like in Giunta’s quote, I began to cut out the ideal picture of what I thought life should look like. It was only befitting that I attended a college specializing in dance. So that’s exactly what I set my sights on, and consequently became a scholarship recipient to the Ballet Conservatory of Dance at Purchase College in New York. This was a beautiful start to my collegiate career, but it didn’t stop there. My second year of undergrad I moved to upstate New York to the University at Buffalo (UB) where I graduated with honors in both the Social Sciences and Theater & Dance departments. Attending UB was my first major courageous life step that I took with my inner child in mind. It was there I was introduced to urban planning, computer science, geography, and architecture. And with this perfect combination, along with dance, every aspect of me was cultivated, and I began to soar. And just like in Giunta’s quote, I ended up liking what I cut away more than what I cut out!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has always been my prayer that as a leader in performing arts, I would lead with my heart open enough to accept each child’s unique talent and help them cultivate the best version of themselves.
My biggest struggle growing up was having so many unique talents but not being able to fully mature as the whole BRITTANY. Children are so often asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” That question I could honestly never answer as a child because I was scared I had too many answers, and none were exactly correct. The truth is, as a child, there could be several unique answers. I developed a strong love for ballet at a very young age, but I also excelled in science; I enjoyed building and construction, playing chess; I was a bit of a comedian and became an advanced skier all by the age 16 years old. I remember in 5th grade, my teacher pulled me aside and as best she could explained to me that the road I would travel in life would be the less traveled route, and people may not be so nice to me along the way. She was right. But it was those words that helped me through the tough times. It wasn’t easy graduating from the University at Buffalo in multiple departments, but I persevered. To this day, I still cultivate all of my unique talents, and I am the advocate for anyone too scared to express who they truly are.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I absolutely love performing on stage and behind the scenes. But above all the lights and cameras, I enjoy most structure and technique. There is something that both engineering and ballet provide me with, and that is the measurable element of correct and incorrect. If I am asked to execute a double pirouette, I know the exact theory of the movement of the head and body to obtain the correct outcome. Similar to construction and engineering, you must lead with a strong foundation; without the foundation, you have no structure. My intense classical ballet training provided me a sense of structure that is now part of my DNA. Ballet technique was and always will be my absolute first love.
After my undergraduate career, I traveled to Shanghai, China, studied Architecture at the University at Hawai’i and, shortly after, Engineering Management at Louisiana Tech University. My ability to recognize the beauty and parallels of both ballet and the built world, I believe, is what sets me apart from many. And as a mother, I am so very proud to be able to pass some of my unique talents down to my growing son.
Currently, I am building some pretty cool projects that connect engineering and artistry. I hope you continue to grow with me as I embark on what I call my ‘Mommy and Artistic Mogul Journey!’
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
6, 7, and 8 mile are one-mile road apart and the gateways that got me to and from many of my childhood activities. Every Saturday, rain or shine, I traveled to Novi, Michigan to my childhood dance studio, Sheryl’s School of Dance. After a full Saturday of ballet technique, stretch class, and repertoire rehearsal, I’d keep the party going and head to Northland Roller Rink on 8 mile. I became quite the little ballerina and roller-skating diva! After skating, if I was lucky my family and I would swing by 7 mile for shrimp and pizza at my one of my favorites, Bob’s Pizza Palace.
My childhood was so very diverse, and I was always taught to embrace different cultures and ways of thinking. I would not be where I am today without learning early on the magnificent treasures of the beautiful state of Michigan. I often traveled to Holland, Michigan for Cecchetti Ballet Day, performed in Gaylord, Michigan, with the Plymouth Canton Nutcracker, made lifelong friends at Interlochen Arts camp, and WOW, I was blessed to perform with the American Ballet Theater summer intensive at the Detroit Opera House. I also remember the amazing feeling I got while canoeing in Traverse City with my 8th-grade class and gazing in awe as I stood looking out at Sleeping Bear Dunes. Connecting with the outdoors became a way of life for me. I love working, building, and dancing connected to nature. You can usually find me covered in sawdust drafting and building in the garage, with my ballet and tap shoes scattered around my creative space.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Timashion Jones
