What does it feel like to perform in a production where music and dance become completely intertwined? Third-year Classical Music violin student Maggie Burns shares her personal experience of collaborating with the Codarts Dance Department during this year’s Martha Graham Project.

"The red curtains rise up as the crowd’s talking comes to a silence. The spotlight is on Sander, the conductor, and both the musicians and dancers are in their positions, ready for the first instruction. You can taste the tension in the air as we all await the beginning of this special night. Clothes rustle, lights flicker. And just like that: with one move of his baton, we step into another world; a world of passion, joy, and light. Together. My name is Maggie, a third year classical violinist, and what you just read is the exciting moments right before we had our final performance with the dancers for the Martha Graham project in Theater Zuidplein. This year, I was privileged to take part in this unique project where Codarts Symphony Orchestra met the Codarts Dance Department. Big thanks to Mark Vondenhoff, our head of the classical music department, for being such a huge part of bringing this project to life! We started the project with a kick-off where Mario Camacho, one of the dancers’ main coaches, brought us into their world. He used his hands and body a lot when explaining and carried a special loving energy with him. I already adored him. He shared a bit about Martha Graham, the mind behind the choreography and stories we were going to be part of. I really enjoyed this kick off experience because it also gave us a chance as classical musicians to connect with the dancers: asking them questions and hearing back from them too. Throughout the weeks, we worked hard with Sander, our wonderful conductor, and built an amazing program. This included Sibelius Symphony No. 7, which we played in Het Concertgebouw for the first time as Codarts Symphony Orchestra! But my favorite times were the rehearsals with the dancers doing their pieces. I felt something magical happen when we first began playing with them, learning how to understand every move, every breath they take. The way we had to watch and anticipate made us connect on a deep level. I felt every emotion, and it often gave me chills on certain parts of the pieces because it was as if I felt my violin couldn’t even contain the emotions I was experiencing! Once we connected in this deep way with the dancers, everything changed. And that is what will remain with me. The connections I’ve made, felt, and seen with fellow artists creating together as one big energy. There are no words to describe how special and intimate this is, and I will remain forever stunned. I wish the students of the future an incredible time in this project; hang onto every moment, and search for the wonder in working with these incredible dancers; you’ll find that it’s absolutely hidden in every move, every smile, and every breath."