Devin Loh was “on pointe” when she decided to study dance at Union County Vocational-Technical Schools’ (UCVTS) Academy of Performing Arts. The Fanwood native knew she loved dance, but her education at UCVTS gave her the training, resources and guidance to prepare her to be a professional dancer. Loh, who is employed by the esteemed Martha Graham Dance Company, said the knowledge she received at UCVTS was pivotal to launching a successful career.
“The Academy of Performing Arts provided me with a comprehensive dance education that I could not access at my private dance school,” said Loh. “Daily technique classes were supported by traditional classroom learning, which enabled me to connect with my art form on a deeper level. For instance, studying terminology and human anatomy transformed my physical approach to movement. Meanwhile, exploring dance history shifted my emotional perspective, opened my eyes to various principles of movement, and helped me appreciate the evolution of today’s dance industry. Additionally, studying dance pedagogy introduced me to the vital aspect of passing on knowledge, which I continue to practice today in my role as an educator at the Martha Graham School.”
Loh graduated from UCVTS’ Academy of Performing Arts in 2015 and then earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from SUNY Purchase College. She was named a recipient of the Bert Terborgh Award upon graduation for Leadership and Excellence in Dance. While studying at college, Loh was nominated for a scholarship at the Martha Graham Dance Intensive by former UCVTS instructor Heather Harrington. Harrington is a professor at Kean University, who taught Loh as a guest instructor at the Academy of Performing through a partnership between the two schools.
“This scholarship allowed me to attend the company’s summer training intensive, where I shook hands with my future director for the first time and found love in the work that I’d later perform and teach around the world,” remarked Loh.
After graduating college, Loh was invited into the second company, Graham 2, by the staff at the Martha Graham School before being promoted to the main company. Today, Loh performs worldwide with the Graham company and teaches international dancers at the Graham School. She also dances in contemporary ballet companies and is regularly hired for professional dance photoshoots, for which she has a following.
“I attribute much of my success to the values and foundational skills instilled in me at the Academy,” said Loh. “The curriculum shaped me into an educated artist, instilling an attitude and work ethic that continues to serve me well in my many roles as a professional in the field of dance. The most valuable tool that the Academy provided me with was a budding professional network. The relationships I forged with the faculty, guest instructors and alumni would last for years beyond graduating and enabled me to build a dance community beyond the walls of the school.”
