Favorite Memory Friday: Q&A with Syra P. '24

Every week, we’re showcasing our graduating students as they prepare to say goodbye to Dean. On each #FavoriteMemoryFriday or #TransformationTuesday, you’ll get a before and after look at where they started vs. where they are now. Next up is Syra Pandey '24,  a Dance major following the Performance and Choreography track and a Psychology major.

Q: How has your experience at Dean shaped you?

When thinking about my time here at Dean, I think about the challenges and opportunities that occurred throughout my time here. I believe that with the challenges I may have faced, I was able to learn more about myself and how to persevere through them. My time at Dean has been interesting, since my first semester was online due to COVID. Even though I had to dance in my basement for a few months, I was finally able to come to campus and meet my friends that I am still close with today. Dean has allowed me to create beautiful relationships with people and be able to experience so many things as a dancer. From performing, choreographing and taking class, I have learned more about myself and who I want to be after I graduate. Dean helped me find myself, and that has helped shaped me into the person I am today.

Q: What is your favorite memory from your time at Dean?

My favorite memory at Dean was performing in one of the Joan Phelps Palladio School of Dance shows, Arts Mosaic, back in 2021. This was a time where the dancers performed on stage in front of an audience for the first time after COVID began. This will stick with me forever because it was my first time performing for an audience since coming to Dean. The nerves, adrenaline, and excitement I felt that night was unmatched. It was one of the first times where I was able to do what I love in college and really learn what concert dance is like. 

Q: How has Dean prepared you for the future?

As a dancer, we take a variety of courses throughout our time here. From technique classes to lighting design, we have learned what the professional world will look like from different perspectives. For me, I'm following the Performance and Choreography track, which required me to take certain classes to grasp a deeper understanding of that aspect of dance. Taking courses like Dance Composition and Dance History truly helped me learn about the history of this art and how I can develop my own movement vocabulary to create a difference in this world. Along with the courses, I have also been able to perform and choreograph pieces here at Dean College. Being able to hone into my craft by challenging myself to put my movement vocabulary on other people helped me take more risks and put myself out there. I also believe that being part of student organizations has taught me what it means to be a leader. As President of Active Minds and Vice President of The Collective, being part of these organizations gives me the chance to lead others and be able to make a difference on campus.