By Ariana Soria | ICA L.A. Intern
My name is Ariana Soria and I am a young Latina artist based in Boyle Heights whose passion is fueled by visual/media art. I interned at Heidi Duckler Dance through Agency of Assets with ICA LA for 4 weeks of the summer and I have grown so much within those 4 weeks. Interning at Heidi Duckler Dance has opened my mind to many new career pathways and opportunities I have never considered until now. The exposure to the arts that Heidi Duckler Dance exposed me to helped me visualize my future as an artist and taught me about entrepreneurship. I was able to learn how a company within the arts flows and grows and how the different branches of this company come together to produce such wonderful performances.
Going through archives at Heidi’s home! | Photo by Ariana Sorai
During my first week I was lucky enough to help out with Heidi Duckler’s archives in preparation for Heidi’s works to be inducted into the popular Getty archives. Through this I was able to see the growth of her company and how art has changed so much since the 70’s. Looking through Heidi’s archive was definitely some major inspiration and was extremely eye opening to how much dedication and time she has contributed into her company. My mentors; Raven and Jessica, and myself were able to help out Heidi at her house where we were able to discuss with her the background of all of her performances and projects. This became a very motivating moment for me as I myself aspire to be an entrepreneur-artist. Viewing all of Heidi’s art broadened my horizon of the different art styles there are and impacted me as an artist in 2024.
Throughout my internship I networked and made new connections with other artists and curators which strengthened my communication skills and encouraged my passion for the arts. The connections I made were predominantly with my coworkers who have taught me about marketing, film, event promotion, and overall behind the scenes of how a performing arts company runs and all the pathways I can take within the arts. During an interview between Seoul Institute of the Arts Research Fellow, Hee-Young Song and Heidi Duckler, HDD Education Director, Belize Willheim, Engagement Director, Jessica Emmanuel and Marketing Director, Sharice Bryant,m I was able to see behind the scenes of how interviews are typically filmed and the entire set up of equipment. It was my first time ever seeing a film crew and being able to see how the smallest of details make the biggest difference. In addition to that interview, I shadowed an interview with motivational speaker and authoer, Angelina Sol & Heidi Duckler for the Unleash Your Greatness Summit. I was able to photograph behind the scenes and learn more about photography from fellow intern, Cathie Arteaga, and the basics of a DSLR camera.
Heidi’s interview with SIA Research Fellow, Hee-Young. Filmed by CultureHub’s media interns! | Photo by Ariana Sorai
Angelia Sol & Heidi Duckler | Photo by Ariana Sorai
Living in Boyle Heights my whole life has definitely had its ups and downs but one great pro is that it exposes me to unity and expression, which is exactly what I see here at Heidi Duckler Dance. All fellows, workers, and all staff have shaped my way of thinking to be more open minded and optimistic of my future. A big thing that I will go back with from Heidi Duckler Dance is that Los Angeles is home to the arts, and that I should take advantage of where I’m from because just like Heidi Duckler Dance is a hidden gem in LA, so are a number of artistic paths to take.
—–
Learn more about HDD internships here.
This internship is supported in part by Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles.
