TERRANCE henderson Jasper 2013 Artist of the Year in DANCE > Winner By KATHERINE LaPRAD
errance Henderson considers his multiple areas of creative expression--dance, choreography, and education—as the building blocks that form his artistic identity. Henderson says, “As a dancer and choreographer it’s so awesome to finally be referred to as an artist.” For Henderson, being a JAY finalist signifies that “my community not only appreciates my work but accepts me as an artist in this community and that’s an achievement to me after years of being just a dancer or just a teacher or just a choreographer—but to see all of that work as my art. Because it is! It’s always been how I’ve seen it.” As a local artist Henderson commits large amounts of time to an array of creative endeavors. He serves on the dance faculty at Columbia Ballet School and Southeastern School of Ballet, and shares his love of dance through programs at AC Moore and Logan Elementary. In addition, his choreography proved to be an integral part of Trustus Mainstage productions, Next to Normal, Ain’t Misbehavin, Ragtime, and the Henderson Brothers Burlesque Show. Henderson is most proud of Hole in My Bucket: A Perspective, an evening of original choreography performed at the Rogue Festival in Fresno, California. “It just supports that whole notion of being a local artist who also is a part of the bigger world of dance. To be an ambassador for SC nationally and internationally means that I don’t have to not work in my own community or leave SC to be great at what I do and to be respected professionally,” Henderson says. As one of the JAY finalists, he proudly celebrates the community of artists that work tirelessly to support one another. He says, “We are more aware of one another’s art across multiple disciplines and that is creating a community of artists who really support one another and know more now how to support one another. There are conversations that happen now between artists that are important to pushing ourselves to the next level, and feeling like Columbia has our back gives us more courage to keep stepping out there and saying something with our work!” 18