Leilani McAdams
Arts Scholar
Pentathalon Semester 1
Chinese Thai
Dance Workshop
9/15/2020 | Online Class - Based in the UK | #dance
At this event I was taught a traditional dance from Thailand over a zoom call. It was unlike any dance I have studied before and it was really interesting feeling what body parts were being emphasized. I have never felt my fingers stretch so much! The instructor said that these dances focus on the soft curves of the body. I was intrigued by the movement which felt so natural with the music it was choreographed to and how much body control it took.
Creative Response:
Paige Hathaway
10/3/2020 | Youtube: Greater Reston Arts Center | #theater
In this enticing conversation presented on YouTube, I got the chance to experience the breakdown of Moira Dryer's work, "Yours For the Asking" in the eyes of Paige Hathaway, a professional set designer. As Hathaway responds to the art, she also describes her own work in set design, and what it brings to the theater. In the past, I have produced my own benefit concerts where I have had to take set design into account. It was interesting comparing the set design for a theatrical performance to my current knowledge of set design for concerts.
Halloween Origami Night
10/13/2020 | Online Class - Arts Advisory Board | #VisualArt
As this was my first pentathlon experience with the Arts Scholars Advisory, it felt very cohesive and informative. Using only paper and scissors we created origami bats. It gave me a chance to relax after a long day while also focusing my energy into something. I felt like I shared this with my peers as we have all been busy with midterms and are feeling the stresses of virtual learning. Although the process was quick, I realized that making Origami is tedious, but is not something that one necessarily has to make look perfect every time. Overall, the experience taught me that I can use breaks in my day to relax while still accomplishing something.
Over The Moon
11/2/2020 | A Netflix Movie | #Film
A few years after her mother passes, Fei Fei struggles to see her father moving on with another woman who is also bringing her own son into their family. To prove to everyone the tales her mother told her of a woman waiting for her true love on the moon, Fei Fei decides to build a rocket to the moon. She learns that in order to move forward, she has to let go of her mother's death and accept the love from her new family. The artistic choices made in the film, such as the vibrant colors in the pictures and the detail in their cultural choices. I resonated with the main character because she is a dreamer and had an interest in engineering.
Homecoming
A Film by Beyonce
12/11/2020 | A Netflix Movie | #Film #Music #Dance
This Netflix Film is so special because it is more than just a concert. It is a showcase of black culture and black power on one of the biggest stages, Coachella, and shared with the world on Netflix. Beyonce brings so many layers of black culture to the stage, a range of beautiful shades, dance styles, and the range she brings to her own music. Towards the beginning of the film, she said nobody would know what to expect from this concert and she was definitely right. Seeing college bands perform with a major pop-star had really never been done before on this scale. I know all of my peers would say I am so late watching this iconic film, but considering it is time for my first online final during a pandemic, I would say this is the perfect time for me to be watching this. This film shows the strength and beauty of a woman of color. I was amazed to see Beyonce, only a year after giving birth to twins, keeping up with college dancers and World of Dance winners Les Twins. Her dedication to give her best performance possible is inspiring to a young woman of color such as myself.
Pentathalon Semester 2
Malcolm & Marie
2/6/2021 | A Netflix Movie | #Film
"Malcolm & Marie" is a drama filled film that recently released on Netflix. It stars ONLY Zendaya and John David Washington and was produced by a crew of only 22 people during the pandemic. It takes place in an isolated contemporary home, and the whole film was shot in black and white. For most of the film, the two characters argue after coming from Malcolm's big movie premiere. Marie, a former drug addict, was upset that Malcolm did not thank her at the premiere or acknowledge that the main character in his movie was based on her life. They scream, yell, and argue about each other's flaws and how they affect the relationship. It is not until the end when they both begin to actually listen to each other when they can wake up with a new perspective. From the movie, I got that life should not be black and white. Multiple factors come into play when people make decisions and take action, but it is not until we take a chance to listen to that outside perspective that we can start to grow. I believe the movie also makes the point that if you are going to love someone, you have to communicate, and love them for all of their flaws and imperfections because in the end that is part of them. That acceptance is what can make or break relationships. In the trailer for this movie it said "This is not a love story, this is a story about love..." which was a very accurate description.
Collage Night
2/25/2021 | #ArtsScholars Event | #VisualArt
I attended Arts Scholars collage night because I wanted to do something I haven't done in a long time. The last time I remember making a collage I was probably in sixth grade. During the presentation we learned about different techniques artists use when collaging such as layering and combing strips from different pictures. It was really interesting looking through magazines and finding pages that together, cut and pasted could be turned into different art. I felt like I needed a little more time to create something more full looking or maybe better magazines, but it was definitely very relaxing and I was able to clear my head while still putting energy into something. The theme of I came up with for my collage was to look at nature in a different way. Since I can start to feel spring coming around and I have been bundled up and stuck in the house, I wanted a reminder to myself to keep looking at the world differently which I believe collaging definitely challenged me to do.
Jam and Toast
3/15/2021 | Gallim Dance Company (Instagram Live) | #Dance
Jam and Toast is a modern dance improvisation class that Gallim hosts through Instagram Live weekly. Although it is improvisational, it is lead with descriptive movement vocabulary that allowed me to discover different ways my body is capable of moving. Some of this discovery came when we were instructed to focus on a specific part of the body. This allowed me to focus and isolate. In contrast, there were moments which felt much more wild or freeing. These moments came when we were instructed to just shake it out. It felt almost like a reset.
The guest artist, Navarra Novy-Williams, also used interesting imagery to lead the audience through her improv class. This imagery connected to what the human body actually is. She talked about how we should be able to feel the liquid running through us and how it is creating movement as well. I thought these concepts were so interesting as it opens up a whole other way to feel movement being created. The artist also mentioned bringing attention to the space I was dancing in and how I could move through it.
Doing this dance improvisation class on a Monday morning allowed me to bring awareness to myself. As Navarra said, “say good morning to your body”. Feeling this movement all throughout my body helped prepare myself for the day and wake myself up. I believe this is a great way to start any day, and I will consider adding it to my regular routine.
Lecture Recital: An Analysis of Debussy's Proses Lyriques
4/10/2021 | #ArtsScholarsEvent | #Music
In this presentation by Isabella Cadirola, a sophomore in the College Park Arts Scholars Program, I learned about Claude Debussy who was a French composer, and the intricacies of his art which some may have found that he made unique composition choices. Before the lecture, Cadirola sent an informative program for the recital which included a translation for the four parts of Proses Lyriques, and she also sent musical examples. Throughout the lecture she explained these examples and how they tied into the several themes of this piece. It was very interesting to hear her analysis of Debussy's work as she talked about chord progressions, the difference in the left and right hand, and what all of this meant to Debussy, and then to actually hear it being played by Rhys Burgess on the piano, her accompaniment. I have listened to and studied Debussy before when I studied classical guitar, so it felt refreshing to know that I could still read music and understand the vocabulary. Before the performance, Cadirola ended her lecture with a thought provoking statement. She said that the job of musicians is to be able to keep these composers stories alive through their music. I thought this was a beautiful idea that someone can live beyond their lifetime through art and other people. Hearing their performance after receiving all of this information gave me inspiration from Debussy's creativity as well as Cadirola's inquisitiveness about this piece. Together, art and research can be mind opening.
Arts Therapy Project: Visual Autobiography
4/25/2021 | Arts Therapy | #VisualArts
For the last pentathlon of the semester, I wanted to do an arts therapy project to help me relax. after searching for a few ideas on the internet, I found the suggestion to do a visual autobiography. It became a relaxing and fun way to reflect on where I have been, what I have accomplished so far, and I have changed and progressed over the years. The suggestion I found instructed me to make a collage of sorts, but I decided to do a video presentation instead because I have found that editing videos can be very enjoyable for me. This project even made me laugh a couple of times while putting it together either because of memories I recalled or funny editing decisions I made. For the video presentation I also decided to incorporate music that my mom always associates with my birthday. It is the song "Get the Party Started" by P!nk which always puts me in a good mood when I listen to it. More of the pictures towards the beginning of the video are things that I connected with as a child such as my 3 year old self thinking it would be a good idea to grow up to be a chicken princess. Another example of this was how my admiration for Taylor Swift turned into me studying classical composers like Vivaldi and picking up classical guitar. I ended the video with the words "to be continued" because I know much more is to be included in my autobiography later on and I cannot wait to be able to reflect on all I will learn and accomplish while studying at the University of Maryland.
Pentathalon Semester 3
UMD Immersive Media Design Showcase
9/16/2021 | NextNOW Fest | #Presentation #VisualArts #Music
I was pleasantly surprised after attending the UMD Immersive Design Showcase. With my major being electrical engineering, it was interesting to see other students’ work that they completed over the summer and how they combined their computer and coding skills with art. The whole event was also interactive. In the pictures I included below, I am playing a rhythm game that one of the students coded that is similar to guitar hero. It was very insightful to be able to ask him about his code and technology. I learned that he was able to use color sensors to scan the sticks with different colored balls at the end to indicate if players were hitting the notes or beats on time. He was also able to upload any song on spotify to his software which I did not know was possible. The fact that the event was so interactive made it easier to also discuss the work with the artists. I felt comfortable asking about the artistic choices they made, what technology/skills they used, and how they were going to further develop their work. For example, for the rhythm game, we discussed that he did not know the exact distance players should stand from the sensor for the most accurate results. I do not know that I could have had such insightful conversations a year ago and feel like being an Arts Scholar has definitely helped with my communication skills. This experience opened my eyes to the many possibilities there are when people use technology to create art. Seeing this collision of art and technology has made me more excited to dive deeper into both the arts and my major at the University of Maryland.
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Salsa Night
9/29/2021 | Maryland Latin Dance Club | #dance
Maryland Latin Dance Club (MLDC) has salsa classes every Wednesday night for all levels. They also have bachata classes every Monday night. I love listening to Latin music, but have never taken a Latin dance class before, so I went on a whim after finding MLDC during the First Look Fair that same day. Taking this class was interesting because the way the instructor counted and taught the steps was different than other dance classes I have taken. It has prompted me to take a deeper look at the structure of Latin music and how the structure of the music affects the structure of the dance and vice versa. I was a little bit nervous going into the class, but as I got into it, it became really fun! I also loved the way the beginner part of the class was structured. He taught us the basic salsa steps including a turn and had people rotate in their lines, so we could take turns being in the front, middle, and back of the room. This way I could watch other people and the instructor to get different view points of the dance. Then those who wanted to be "leaders" made a circle and those who were "followers" chose a leader to dance with and then the followers moved to the next leader in the circle after a few minutes. Therefore, I got to experience partnering for the first time which was actually much more comfortable than I thought it would be. If my partner was a beginner like myself, then we figured the steps out together and encouraged each other. If they had some experience (some had done ballroom before), they really took the lead and I could feel that when I let go of the idea, "am I getting the steps exactly correct?", the dance went much more smoothly. This was a great learning experience for how to work with a partner and feeling the dance instead of focusing too much on technique.
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Coffee & Crafts: Mandalas & Podcasts
10/13/2021 | #ArtsScholars | #visualart #presentation
This was my first in person Coffee & Crafts Arts Scholars event. Being a commuter student, it gave me the chance to interact with more of the community. The week of this event was very busy for me and I was definitely feeling the stress of those around me and my own. That being said, I was surprised to find that coloring mandalas in a group setting could be so relaxing. When I got there, I picked up four markers that I liked: a light purple, light blue, dark green, and dark blue, as well as a mandala. I had no plan for how I would color, but knew I did not have much time because I had to make it home, so I decided I would leave some spaces white on purpose. While we colored, we also listened to true crime podcasts. This was definitely not my usual genre that I would have chosen to listen to, and I felt a little creeped out walking to my car afterwards, but it was informative and entertaining. I felt that attending this workshop provided me with a new and productive way to let out some stress and take in new information. It was also interesting to see how an individual activity like coloring worked in a group setting. Overall it just felt comforting to be around my peers even if we were all just listening to the podcast, not talking much, and working on our mandalas.
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Black Student Union
Homecoming Fashion Show
10/13/2021 | Black Student Union | #visualart #dance
I went to the Homecoming Fashion Show not knowing what to expect. I knew that the theme was Streetwear vs. Black Tie, and it was a "dress to impress event". I chose to wear Black Tie because admittedly, I did not really know what Streetwear meant. Getting ready, I tried on a couple of different dresses and chose the one that I felt good in. I matched it with silver pumps, silver earrings, and a silver mask. I also invited my best friend who I met in 2nd grade, who's currently a student at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Talking to her throughout the night, I realized how much UMD really does have to offer their students in terms of the arts. When we walked into the grand ballroom at STAMP we were welcomed by a big stage, a catwalk, and the big energy of the emcees that was through the roof. As we sat down we watched as the models walked the runway wearing clothes made by designers from all over the DMV. It was interesting to hear where the designers got inspiration from for their sets. Some of them talked about culture, art, music, emotion, current events, and people they were inspired by. They also talked about how creating these clothes was an expressive outlet for many of them. While the production of the show and the designers' clothes were amazing, I really enjoyed the energy, culture, and interaction between the audience and those performing. The event felt like a community because we were all dressed up in our best streetwear or black tie, and we were all excited to see the show. It was fun watching people exclaim and want to rep where they were from during the roll call and to see how people from all over the world could create this community. By the end of the fashion show, I think I finally understood what streetwear and even black tie meant, or maybe just fashion in general. If I am going to dress to impress, I should wear clothes that make me feel fashionably my best and allow me to express myself.
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Eternals
11/13/2021 | AMC Hoffman Center 22 | #film
Eternals is a movie produced by Marvel Studios. It is based off of characters from Marvel Comics, it is the 26th film in the timeline of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), and the 3rd movie of Marvel's Phase 4. The special part about this movie was the diversity they were able to display on the screen. The main cast of Eternals was comprised of actors and actresses from different ethnic backgrounds, as well as representation for the LGBTQ+ and disabled communities. I have been a big MCU fan since the first Iron Man movie came out, so it is inspiring to see them taking steps to bring diversity to the big screen and making their universe a more inclusive space. The plot of the movie also gave the audience much to think about as there was no clear good or bad guy - not a clear right or wrong. It brought out the characters mortality and humanity (spoiler warning: even when the eternals were not mortal beings). The problems the Eternals faced very much reflected what challenges we have continued to face as a society for generations. One controversial topic that I feel was very much connected to the plot of the movie was the question of abortion rights and the story surrounding pro-choice vs. pro-life. The challenge that the Eternals faced was similar to this and essentially tore their team apart, much like how abortion rights has done to society. It was interesting to see the balance of characters who were for and against the problem they faced and the character development of how some of their ideals changed, how some were more resistant, and the different motivations that they all had. It is interesting to see how a movie that is 2 hours and 37 minutes long can unpack so much and still be extremely entertaining. I had fun watching the movie and later analyzing what meaning it had for me personally. My favorite part about the MCU is that it can transport you to a new world through action and magic, but is also so relatable to our everyday lives.
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Pentathalon Semester 4
The REACH Winter Lanterns
1/29/2022 | John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts | #visualart
I decided to attend this event at the Kennedy Center because I wanted to do something arts related with my parents and my grandfather. This outdoor event had about 100 lanterns created by Chinese artisans to celebrate Lunar New Year. The Kennedy Center and other spaces like it that display art are important to have in our communities because they can educate us about culture and bring people together. Seeing the Chinese lanterns in the outdoor space with the surrounding Washington DC Area (such as the Georgetown Waterfront and Potomac River in the distance) created not only this appreciation for Chinese culture but also Chinese American culture which I connected to as a 2nd generation Asian American. Being there with a diverse number of people also made me appreciate that as an Arts Scholar I have learned to inquire about different cultures through art and in that way I am able to connect with more people. Each area also had a lit up sign with information on the inspirations for that area of the display. For example, the Flamingo Lagoon was inspired by the flamingos that migrate to YunCheng City in Northern China during the winter. Another aspect I enjoyed about attending this event was talking to my Lolo (grandfather in Tagalog), who also studied electrical engineering, about the technical aspects of the lighting designs. I also observed the safety precautions the Kennedy center took to make sure the Lanterns were preserved and people could not trip on electrical wires that connected the lights.
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DIY Mask Chains
2/11/2022 | Coffee & Crafts | #visualart #ArtsScholars
This Arts Scholars Coffee and Crafts experience reminded me that art can be fun, cute, personal, and functional. During this event I learned how to use different pliers to cut and bend wire to make a chain that I could attach to my mask. Attaching the chain to a mask is useful because during the pandemic people are required to wear the mask throughout the day and have the risk of losing it when they take it off to eat or drink. The chain allows the user wearing the mask to let the mask hang from their neck, so they do not lose it when they need to take it off. To customize my mask chain, I picked different beads to string on the chain and even made my own charms. Going into it, I did not know what the process would be like, so it was a good learning experience, especially when I was able to get help from my peers. I got to make some of my own charms in two different ways. One way, I used smaller beads to thread onto wire to create a pattern that could dangle more. I also used shrink paper to draw on, punch a hole next to, cut out, and then bake to make another unique charm. We did not have a lot of time, so towards the end I thought of different ways to connect the different parts of the chain together quickly. I connected these problem solving skills and learning how to use different tools to what life will most likely be like as an electrical engineer. The experience reaffirmed that I have to be able to ask questions and go outside of my comfort zone in order to create something new, creative, and functional.
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The 64th Annual Grammy Awards
4/3/2022 | CBS | #music
After a long Sunday of doing homework and going to work, I watched the 64th Annual Grammy Awards. After the controversy at the Oscars only a week before, I am sure the producers of the show had a lot more pressure on them to get through the show with little to no bumps. I hoped that the Grammy’s would run smoothly without any interruptions, and be a win for every artist who was nominated and performed. Trevor Noah, who hosted the awards ceremony, announced that this show would not just be an awards show, but would be a concert where they were giving out awards which got me more excited to watch the performances to come. Whenever I am watching a concert whether through the television or live, I always find not only the art of the music fascinating, but also the work, planning, and technology behind the set design. The set design could include lights, screens, props, and more. The set designers for the Grammy’s did a great job working with each individual artist to portray the feeling of their songs to those watching at home. I hope to learn more about the choices that go into set design for future projects I could work on. Another aspect I loved about watching the Grammy’s live performances was listening to the musical choices the artists made, how it is different from the radio version, and what effects they had on myself, an audience member. One performance that really caught my attention in both the musical choices and set design was “Butter” by BTS. They opened their performance with one of their members dropping in from the ceiling and one sitting at a control booth. Their choreography was amazing as usual, but I noticed the one that was sitting at the beginning was still sitting. I then realized that he was wearing a cast on his wrist. I was inspired by the way they improvised to still include him in the act and reminded me of how I have had to improvise and change my Capstone project.
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Moon Knight
4/15/2022 | Marvel Disney+ | #film
I have always loved the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but it has been so refreshing to see that they are making their universe more diverse. I was very excited when I heard Moon Knight was coming to Disney+ because in the comics, he is an avatar of an Egyptian god. I remember briefly learning about egyptology in elementary school, but it is nice to see that it is being represented on the screen. Another way Moon Knight has brought more diversity to the screen is by seeing what mental illness could be like even for a superhero (or more like anti-hero). In my opinion Marvel has done a good job at allowing the audience to connect with their characters by giving them real world emotional problems that most people face, but it has been interesting to see how they have portrayed a person with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) which the main character, Marc Spector, also known as Moon Knight, has faced since he was a child. The cinematics and storyline of how they portray lost time has been interesting to see. They also start to shed light on what caused his personalities to split. Bringing awareness to disorders such as DID, how people live with it, and maybe even how it does not always have to be perceived as a negative trait but rather as one protects themselves, has opened my eyes to some aspects of mental health. I believe being around my diverse peers in Arts Scholars who are open to talking about topics such as mental health made it easier to understand and grasp this show which I feel many critics who were anticipating the show may not have been ready for.
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