Meredith Sallee's Dance Journey: From Bates to the Deep Sea

Sarah Jenkins · 2026-01-23

You know that feeling when you watch a dancer move, and it's like they're telling a story with their whole body? That's what Meredith Sallee, a 2007 Bates College graduate, has been doing her entire career. But her latest project takes that storytelling to a whole new depth—literally. She's exploring how her foundational dance training translates to underwater movement, creating a unique blend of art and environment. It's a fascinating case study for any dance professional. We often talk about how training shapes us, but rarely do we see it applied in such an unconventional setting. Meredith's work reminds us that the core principles of dance—body awareness, rhythm, and expression—are transferable skills. They don't just belong in a studio. ### How Dance Training Adapts to New Environments Think about your own training for a second. The discipline, the spatial awareness, the control. Meredith is using all of that underwater. The resistance of water changes everything about movement. It's slower, more fluid, and requires immense core strength. Her Bates foundation gave her the technical vocabulary to understand her body's mechanics, which is crucial when you're adapting to a completely different medium. It's not just about performing moves. It's about communicating. Underwater, every gesture is amplified and softened simultaneously. A flick of the wrist becomes a ripple that travels. This project shows how choreographic thinking can be applied anywhere. The environment becomes part of the dance, not just the backdrop. ### Key Takeaways for Dance Educators and Choreographers Meredith's path highlights some valuable lessons for those of us teaching or creating dance. - **Foundation is Everything:** A strong technical foundation isn't restrictive. It's actually what gives dancers the freedom to innovate and adapt in unexpected ways. - **Artistry is Portable:** The creative impulse doesn't switch off outside the studio. Encourage students to see movement potential in everyday spaces and situations. - **Interdisciplinary Thinking is Key:** The most interesting work often happens at the intersection of fields. Dance with marine biology? Why not. As one observer noted, 'Her work makes you reconsider what dance is and where it can live.' That's a powerful thought for any educator trying to inspire the next generation. ### Applying These Ideas in Your Studio So, what does this mean for your daily work? You don't need a scuba tank to start exploring these concepts. Begin by challenging your own perceptions of space. What if you treated the studio floor as water? How would that change the quality of a tendu or a leap? Encourage improvisation exercises that focus on moving 'against' a imagined resistance. Talk to your students about dancers who work in non-traditional settings. It expands their idea of what a career in dance can look like. The goal is to build adaptable artists, not just technicians. Meredith's journey from a liberal arts college dance program to underwater choreography is a perfect example of that adaptability in action. Her story is a testament to a purposeful career path—one that honors foundational training while fearlessly exploring new frontiers. It asks us all to dive a little deeper into our own practice, to see the connections between our training and the wider world. And that's a conversation worth having, whether you're in a studio, on a stage, or under the sea.