ESP Biography

Brief Biographical Sketch:

I am a junior MIT student who is majoring in Biology and Physics. I am also pre-med. However, I feel as if this information is somewhat unrelated to my activities with splash, due to the fact that I don't want to teach anything academic--I want to teach hoop dance.

I became interested in hoop dance while at a full moon gathering about a year and a half ago. My friends had brought some hoops, and I spent a bunch of time playing with them. Before that point, I had not been able to hula hoop at all. I remember this time I was in a hula hoop contest at Knott's Berry Farm, and I just kept on trying, and telling them, "just one more time, I can do this." I had to give up after 10 times, however, they did give me a "Hula Hooping Barbie" anyway. However, with weighted hoops, I could do it. I couldn't do much more than just hoop on my waist--but I could do it. I had so much fun that I was inspired to learn more.

For the next few weeks before I came back to MIT, I took classes with Anah Richenbach, aka Hoopalicious, one of the premier hoopers in the world. I learned to dance with my hoop, which includes freedom to hoop all over one's body and a bunch of cool tricks. I learned how to separate my body from my hoop and keep it rotating while doing unrelated movements. However, the most important thing I learned from Anah is how to express myself while in the circle. Hoop dance has become a portal to my soul.

Since coming to Boston I have become a member of the Boston Hoop Troop, a group that gathers to practice together in the Cambridge Common. There I have found a supportive community with which to grow and hone my technique. I won 3rd place in "Mic Check," a literary competition at MIT, for my composition "Synaesthesia" which featured me in my hoop. I have also started fire hooping, and am a member of the "Boston Fire Family." I even choreographed a section of dance for our yearly performance. I intend to create an MIT club, and I am trying to start up my own class for children who couldn't afford such classes. I want to share the gift I have been given, and help others learn how beneficial hooping can be.

Check out my page at the Boston Hoop Troop Website:
www.bostonhooptroop.com

Really cool pictures of me:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/greendrz/1187939706/in/set-72157601587994916/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/greendrz/1176130937/in/set-72157601587994916/

Past Classes