Learn about Heather Seabury Brown!
A former member of the JMBT company, Heather is currently a dance and yoga instructor based in MA.
I always felt seen at the studio. And 20 years later, when I saw Mary Thompson, she remembered who I was.
How – and when – did you first come to JMBT?
My mom tells stories of me watching dancers through the window when JMBT had its first studio in Boston. It was along a path we walked regularly. I left JMBT for a few years and studied at Boston Ballet, but returned for my junior and senior year of high school. I had José for class almost every day, and that was amazing. We did a lot of performing with YouthWorks, and Jose would test out choreography on us before bringing it to the company.
What did you enjoy most about dancing at JMBT?
It was really nice that we had 1:1 contact with the director, José. As a young dancer, to have already had experience working directly with the artistic director of a company was a gift. That consistent work and small class size meant I always felt seen at the studio.
That feeling has stayed with me. About 20 years later, when I saw Mary Thompson, she remembered who I was. It was really meaningful to be remembered after all that time.
Left: Heather Seabury Brown (credit: Allison Guilliano) Right: Heather Seabury Brown in blue (credit: Christopher Huang)
After graduating from JMBT, where did life take you?
I went to college to study Biochemistry, but found ways to continue dancing. I explored other forms of movement while performing ballet classics like “The Nutcracker” and “Cinderella” with Rockford Dance Company. Dance has always found its way into my life.
I worked full time in Biochemistry for many years, but I always danced. I am trained and certified in Yoga and Progressing Ballet Technique and teach dance. I have also choreographed and produced my own original work.
Looking back, I don’t think I had a very clear sense as a teenager of what I could do with dance. I knew I wasn’t the top echelon, but I didn’t really understand that there were other possibilities – that I could dance with a smaller company, teach, choreograph, or find other ways to make dance a part of my life. There wasn’t really a conversation about that. I also don’t know if I would have been open to suggestions if there had been a conversation. Teenagers can be stubborn that way.
Do you have any advice you would like to give current ballet students?
One of things we were required to do in YouthWorks was to attend one open class a week. This was so valuable. It instilled in me that I can just show up and take class. Taking open classes at various studios wherever I happen to be has led to a lot of different opportunities and connections.
My advice – do all the things! You don’t have to enjoy every part of every project to get something out of it. With every moment of discomfort comes an opportunity to grow. Learning about what you like, and what you don’t while taking time to enjoy yourself along the way is an important part of building something that you can be proud of in the end.