We have officially returned from Arnhem, Netherlands and we LOVED our time there! To give you even more of an inside scoop on all things Amsterdam, we chatted with company member, Heather Cagle. Here’s what she had to share about our experience:

Have you ever been to Europe before?: Yes, I’ve been to Italy!

What shocked you the most in Amsterdam?: The height of everyone! They were so TALL!

What were travel days like?: They were long travel days, tiring, full of laughter, full of confusion, but with lots of yummy food at the end of it all.

Describe the dancers at university: They were freaks of nature in the best way possible. The students at ArtEz University are extremely gifted, enthusiastic, and open to anything.

How were our dancing styles compared?: Our personalities were similar to the students in the Netherlands…very large personalities that filled the room. The differences came in structure. In the U.S. we seem to be more structured whereas the European students were more freeform. 

How was it collaborating with Choomna Dance Company again?: I LOVE them. They feel like our other half from across the world. They are so calming. The coolest thing is that Joseph knows how to get people to connect differently than we do in the US. We think performance quality, Joseph talks about finding a center together, breathing, waiting and listening.

Favorite memory from the trip?: Our steak dinner as a company was very fanamal! Friday as a whole actually – performing internationally and teaching the students and seeing their culture and their environment all come together was so exciting.

Would you go back: YES!

What do you recommend to others traveling to Amsterdam?: 

1. Do your research beforehand 

2. Go with the flow when you get there, explore, be a tourist, and have so much fun 

3. Take public transportation and walk because you see more of the culture and 

4. TRY ALL THE FOOD!

We loved our trip to the Netherlands and hope to go back soon!