2023 Year In Review
One year, lots to review.
It is that time of year, when I attempt to recap the highlights, shifts, and moments of learning from the year. I’m not one for numerology, but I was born on the 23rd of July, and it seems that this year of 2023 has been something of a rebirth as well. In every corner of my life significant changes have occurred. As I continue to walk through significant personal loss and global unrest my work is a place I go to literally work things out.
The most significant milestone in my work this year came as I finally achieved a sense of organization around what I do. I have always worked at the intersections. Tap dancing is a craft that lives at the intersection of personality, storytelling, sound, and movement (at least). Whenever someone asked, “What do you do?” the response, “I tap dance,” never seemed to quite capture it. Dawn Hampton once described what I do as an experience – something more than what you might just watch or listen to. I think I’ve finally found a way to bring folks into just that experience. But, you be the judge…
ART
Identity: The Andrew Nemr Story continued its journey. The award-winning short film produced by Windrider Studios, won Best Short Film Documentary at the Dam Shorts Film Festival. Additional screenings continue to spark deep conversations and feedback. I’m thankful that my story can be used to facilitate challenging conversations in today’s social climate. Find out how to bring the film to your community here.
Andrew Nemr and Friends, my band, was back on the stage at this year’s DanceBoise with new music following a sold-out work-in-progress showing. This was the most fulfilling creative endeavor of the year to be sure. One of my happiest places really is in playing and sharing music with others.
During the pandemic I began a drawing practice of abstract portraiture. In the fall I decided to make this more public. Notecard Portraits are now available to order. Each is a unique response to the character of the subject and made by hand by me – no digital tools or artificial intelligence involved.
STUDIO
It was a joy to collaborate with my incredibly talented friend Tony Yazbeck on his solo show at 54 Below in New York City – here’s a clip! Also in the city, I returned to the Haft Auditorium at the Fashion Institute of Technology (a former home of the National Celebration of Tap Dance Day in New York City) for the 6th Annual Empathy Summit and Workshops. I facilitated a Tap Dance + Empathy Building Workshop and sat on a panel for a new book that I’m published in (more on that below).
WRITING
In the wake of my father’s passing I invited my first guest onto Talking Notes. Since then, I’ve been honored to have some really powerful conversations with on topics ranging from homelessness, art making, mental health, and death. Looking forward to doing more of this in the new year.
I’m also excited to share that I will have a chapter in a new book! Entitled, Flourishing in Museums, I wrote about the relationship between improvisation and the formation of hope, faith, and love. Available for pre-order here.
SPEAKING
The highlight of my public speaking for 2023 was speak with a group of teens as part of a cooperative Summer Day Youth Camp held at the Vineyard Boise Christian Fellowship. I reworked this talk on the Beatitudes and facilitated a workshop on Identity Formation.
COACHING and TRAINING
I’ve been a skills coach for years – training pre-professional and professional tap dancers. If there is anything I’ve learned through that endeavor, it is that training is about caring for the whole person. With that in mind I have started offering life coaching services. My work with 1:1 Coaching clients so far has been exceptionally fulfilling and the feedback has been encouraging!
The Spiritual Formation for Artists Course wrapped its fourth cohort in the fall, with more scheduled to run in the new year. The folks at Forefront Festival continue to be amazing partners in this endeavor, as we are developing a “take-at-your-own-pace” version!
TAP DANCING
It seems, no matter where I journey creatively or otherwise, I return to tap dancing. As I begin to document my learning over more than 40 years of tap dancing, I’m excited to begin sharing even more. I’ve started with making some FREE Resources for Tap Dancers – including music, videos, and learning resources.
SOLI DEO GLORIA
This isn’t a work-as-in-job area but is the work that underlies all the other work. Continuing to articulate what I believe and work towards complete integration is a thing. There is often a lot of conversation about faith and work, faith and art, or faith and [insert area of life here]. Really, I’ve come to realize that seeking first this integration – a life with God or the Kingdom of Heaven one might say – is what transforms every other area of life. In the wake of immense change, it is this work that seems to be most profound. Not in any particular way, but just that the work persists, that I’ve been held and kept through it all, and that there is always more to come. And through it all there is love.
That seems like enough for now. There will be plenty of news to come in the new year as these buckets continue to be filled and find their shape.
In the meantime, tell the people you love how you feel.
Truly,
Andrew-