Michela Arietti

Class of 2026
Major in Program II in Embodied Resilience (Interdisciplinary studies in Dance, Neuroscience, and Nutrition)

Building on my classical training before coming to Duke, I have been exploring other forms of dance beyond ballet, with a special focus on de-institutionalized practices and social choreography. Through Program II, the University also allows me the flexibility of majoring in personalized interdisciplinary studies in Movement Practices, Nutrition, and Neuroscience. My focus is on examining how trauma can be both engendered and healed through dance and nutrition, moving from individual healing toward social change.

The Dance Department has given me multiple performance opportunities, as well as recognizing me with the Clay Taliaferro Dance Award and Benenson Award, which allowed me to spend a summer at the American Dance Festival. I love creating and interacting with the EIP MFA students, which provides me with a higher level of artistic challenge and development.

In addition to my academic pursuits, I am a passionate advocate for disability rights and eating disorder awareness. I am deeply committed to creating nurturing spaces for movement and existence for all.

Favorite Class: I’m horrible at picking favorites! Either Dancing States of Mind by Prof. Kliën, as it allowed me to explore deeper realities of movement within myself, or Juel D. Lane’s advanced modern dance residency (mentored by Profe Woods Valdés) because it pushed me to perfect a dance style I was unfamiliar with in a short amount of time. A special mention also goes to Contemporary Chinese Dance by Prof. Jingqiu Guan, which was my first experience with screen dance and I got to connect with my Chinese roots!