Bella Ruiz attended a dance intensive program in Moncalvo, Italy, this summer, thanks to support from the College of Fine Arts Medici Circle.
Ruiz, a fourth-year student studying dance and minoring in criminology, participated in Orsolina28’s one-week intensive. Nestled in the countryside of Moncalvo, Italy, the program aims to promote and transform the performing arts into a social culture. She studied under Peter Chu, alongside other teaching artists including Roger Van der Poel and Miriam Gittens.
Students: Become a Medici Scholar. | Supporters: Join the Medici Circle.
She learned repertoire from Chu’s dance company, “chuthis.”— which included fundamentals rooted in Chinese medicine. “It was fascinating to learn the qi chong and taji fundamentals in his movement repertoire, making it playful and explorative to translate into my own body,” she said.
She also noted the inspiration of the dance studio itself.
“The facilities, tucked away in the stunning countryside, provided a space where I could fully immerse myself in artistic exploration, while deepening a connection to nature.”
The intensive provided a space for networking too, she said. During her time, she worked alongside working professional dancers in the realm of concert dance.
- Students: Become a Medici Scholar. | Supporters: Join the Medici Circle.
She added that the dancers provided not only useful feedback, but welcomed creativity through fostering a safe, explorative environment.
“It expanded my understanding of collaborative partner work, meditative practices that are injury-preventive, as well as giving me further insight into the work of the contemporary professional world,” she said. “I will forever cherish the community and connections I created with the dancers and faculty there.
Medici Circle Appreciation
“I would like to express a heartfelt thank you to my donors, Suann Woodward and Robert Johnson, for making this trip and experience possible. Their gracious contribution to my Medici Scholarship has helped me begin to shape what my professional career can look like after graduation. I am forever grateful to both of you!”
Previously on Medici Mondays …
- Gwen Buettner, dance … 09.01.25
- Cole Nagoda, music … 09.08.25
- Kayla Howard, TFTV … 09.15.25
- Gia Del Pino, Art … 09.22.25
- Bennett Curran, TFTV … 09.29.25