Patricia Harms journey in the dance world began when she was no older than 6-years old. Born in Frankfurt, Germany and grew up in Long Island, NY. Harms fell in love with the art of dance in junior high and it grew to be her life’s passion.
Harms attended NYU School of the Arts newly named Tisch School of the Arts and found herself infatuated with dance as it brought her joy in the purest form. Her college experience was a memorable one and how she would go back in a heartbeat if life allowed.
“ I adored it. I could go back to doing that”,” said Harms.” “To be dancing so intensely, pretty much every day, all day”
After college, Patricia Harms opened a private dance studio named York School of Creative Dance that was in business for several years. It was around this time when her second passion— to teach–, became evident.
“I realized it was something I was passionate about,” said Harms.” “Sharing this passion that I have with young people that have the same passion, and teaching, learning, and creating together. It never gets old.”
She eventually closed her studio but wanted to continue teaching young, passionate students the art of dance. She then moved from NY to the New England area where her career journey eventually led her to Pinkerton Academy.
“ I wanted to be in an environment where more people had access, more students, more young dancers, had access because I think dance should be for everybody,” said Harms. “Dance should be available to anyone and I think that’s critical now more than ever.”
This year marks 20 years of teaching for Miss Harms. The magnitude of work, teaching, and effort she puts into her job is more than clear to anyone who knows her. Patricia teaches five courses within two departments, PE and Fine arts, with two separate programs in the Fine Arts department: Get Fit with Dance, Dance 1, Dance 2/Company, Unified Dance, and Unified Theater. What sets Patricia Harms apart from others, is her immense love and passion for what she does everyday and the depth of knowledge she continues to give to her students. She allows her students to be creative, and learn how to believe in themselves as well.
“What makes us different from other animals, what makes a human different? The ability to create, among other things,” said Harms.
The connections Patricia is able to create with her students is nothing short of a beautiful thing and she believes this happens through the joy of watching her students create work. She makes her respect for her students known and that there is a lot that goes into what her students do.
“Dancing is hard, It’s hard work,” said Harms.” “So I have a lot of respect for you guys getting in there everyday and I’m just amazed.”
Her students this semester in particular stand out to Patricia due to the amount of hard work they are consistently putting in.
“The students I have this semester are just blowing me away in every class; I’m just floored.”
Patricia Harms favorite part about teaching is her students, working in the studio, and being able to see her students grow and work hard.
“[The other day] in Dance 2/Company a certain student was sitting on the floor with their laptop open,” said Harms, “and I looked down and the spreadsheet for the company is open and they’re totally self-directed and hard at work.”
“I’m not hovering and everything is happening and it’s happening with just this sense of earnestness and it’s beautiful.”
Patricia Harms truly is a special part of the Pinkerton Academy community who continues to share her passionate love for the performing arts. Her advice for aspiring dancers is to expand your skill set and be versatile. Her advice for all students is that if you do what you love– it won’t feel like work.