Dance education grad finds connection, community at ASU
Photo courtesy Abigail Mustard
Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable spring 2025 graduates.
Abby Mustard’s first exposure to the dance program at Arizona State University was performing in a piece choreographed by an ASU student for the "Transitions" senior dance concert.
At the time, Mustard was still attending Chandler Gilbert Community College. Now, she is graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance education from the School of Music, Dance and Theatre.
“My mom and my dance teacher both went to ASU, and being in the 'Transitions' piece really helped me meet all these amazing people,” said Mustard.
Mustard chose to pursue a degree in dance education because she wanted to combine her dance experience with job skills and a teaching certification.
During her time at ASU, she received the Kathy Lindholm Lane Scholarship in Dance Education as well as a dance special talent award. She said the experience as a transfer student was difficult, but worth it.
“It was hard at first, but all the dancers and teachers were open to accepting new people,” she said. “I had to work really hard to make sure I got all of my credits so that I could graduate in time.”
She said the biggest surprise at ASU was being exposed to new styles and dance communities.
“I felt like I was in a cage before, and I never knew there was a whole world outside,” Mustard said. “I saw the community of hip-hop, of Afro-Latin, of all sorts of dancing. Dance is so big.”
During her two years at ASU, Mustard participated in the Sol Motion hip-hop dance festival.
“Both times I was so overwhelmed with joy,” she said. “It’s crazy that people don’t get to experience this. Everyone needs it in their life!”
For Mustard, getting to present original choreography in her senior show was a fulfilling, full-circle moment.
“Since I am a dance education major, I didn’t have to present, but I wanted to,” she said. “Bringing my dance to life with 19 dancers, having all my family and friends see it, was a dream come true.”
Currently a student teacher at Basha High School in Chandler, Mustard is applying for jobs as a dance teacher and plans to always have dance in her life.
“Dance has always been a part of our world, of cultures,” Mustard said. “You learn so much from dance. It helps you create who you are and creates a joy that’s hard to find in life.”
Read the below Q&A to learn more about Mustard's time at ASU.
Note: Answers may have been edited lightly for length and/or clarity.
Question: What was your “aha” moment when you realized you wanted to study dance?
Answer: When I was a senior in high school, I choreographed a dance that became everyone’s favorite dance and was voted best choreography of the year. It was something I didn’t know I had inside me. I wasn’t sure if everyone would like it. It made me realize how much I had grown as a dancer. I thought, “I’m going to do this for the rest of my life.” I love it too much to do something else.
Q: Which professors impacted your time at ASU?
A: One professor that really helped me was Nicole Bradley Browning. Just having her know what she knows and seeing her put that knowledge into us. She was my mentor for "Transitions." She had such great input that I needed to hear. I really liked how she opened the world of contact improvisation to me. It really helped me understand the importance of human contact.
Also, "House" Magana and LaTasha Barnes. They opened my eyes with hip-hop. ... Both helped me get outside my shell.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to those still in school?
A: Don’t be afraid to take risks. Don’t be afraid to try something new. A lot of people are closed off, but you’re learning and people understand that you’re learning. That will help you grow..
Another piece of advice: If you have a chance to do something new, do it. The more experience you have with different things in life, the more you’ll enjoy the quality of your life. People take ASU for granted. I wish I had more time for these experiences. Don’t take it for granted.
Q: What was your favorite spot on campus?
A: There's a place that my friend and I used to picnic at all the time when we had a break. It is that grass area that's in between the Nelson Fine Arts Center and ASU Gammage, and it's by the parking lot with all the trees. ... It was so relaxing.
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