Graduation Spotlight: Annie Rabel, Dance Science
Annie Rabel took her first ballet class when she was just 2 years old. That led to a 20-year love of dance that will now result in a Dance Science degree at Texas A&M.
Rabel is set to graduate Dec. 12 with a Bachelor of Science degree, and will also be honored as a distinguished student in the College of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts’ Graduation Recognition Ceremony on Dec. 11.
“I never thought I would be awarded something so special within this program after all I have experienced throughout my years here at Texas A&M,” Rabel said. “I have worked hard to juggle opportunities with school, and it seemed to work out just how I wanted it to be.”
Rabel, who grew up in Weimar, said she was first intrigued by the program’s aim to combine dance and kinesiology. She hopes to become a physical therapist or an athletic trainer so she can treat injured athletes.
“Anatomy is a very big interest of mine,” she said. “And with a program focused on discussing why our bodies do what they do in dance anatomically, there was no way I was going to let this opportunity go.”
Rabel was able to present research she conducted during Dance Science program trips to the United Kingdom and Italy. She also performed in works including “But Where There’s Hope, There’s Life” and “Journey to Hope.” Rabel said the emotional symbolism behind these projects challenged her physically and emotionally.
The program impacted her view of the art form, she said, and contributed to her growth as a dancer.
“I believe these years have been the best years of dance I’ve done to date,” she said. “Ballet made a big impact on the dancer I am today. Learning the individuality of modern and contemporary dance only brought out more of who I am, and I want to thank this program for giving me the ability to do that.”
Rabel credited two professors for her progress through the program: Carisa Armstrong, Dance Science program director and associate professor; and Diane Bedford, section chair of Dance, Music and Theatre Performance and clinical associate professor.
“Professor Armstrong guided me through a new era as a dancer — I felt stronger and more confident within my body in just a few months of taking her class,” Rabel said. “Professor Bedford was impactful with her knowledge on the hardships of ballet, and how we can turn our thoughts of doubt or stress into something more beneficial for ourselves.”
After graduation, Rabel said she hopes to further her education to pursue athletic training, physical therapy, or both. She aims to earn a graduate and doctoral degree in physical therapy, or a graduate degree in athletic training to work with ballet dancers.
“There is no other program like our Dance Science program,” she said. “To be walking across the stage with my degree, I am forever grateful.”
Photo by Igor Kraguljac.
