From Classroom to Career: An Alumni Story with Isabella Curci '20

I chose Dean because of the community. From the second I stepped on campus, I felt welcomed. Everyone is so encouraging, and the professors really care about their student's success.

Throughout my time at Dean, I realized that I enjoyed not only performing, but also the behind-the-scenes work it takes to put on a performance. I have a deep appreciation for the arts and want to be able to share that with people in any way I can. My favorite memory at Dean was when the first piece I ever choreographed premiered on stage for the first time. I worked so hard for a couple months with the dancers in the piece and being able to see my work on stage was so rewarding. It inspired my love of creating choreography, which I continued to do throughout my time at Dean.

My dance history classes at Dean helped to expose me to Jacob's Pillow and inspired me to want to pursue a career with the organization. After finding out it was the first place in the US that was created specifically for dance, I immediately was interested in it. My professors helped me realize the importance of the Pillow and encouraged me to pursue it as a possible organization to work for, while being a student ambassador helped me feel comfortable interacting with new people and improved my leadership skills.

After working at Jacob’s Pillow as a Patron Services Intern, I am now a Company Management Fellow. I manage artists’ logistics for their residences and performances, welcome artists to campus and plan their time while at the Pillow, help write and distribute artists’ contracts, plan campus events, and manage interns. The Pillow is about to go into its 90th season of presenting dance, and I find that very inspiring because for the last 90 years, so many people have had the opportunity to experience dance and find their love for the art.

Isabella Curci '20
Dance major