Welcome.

Panamá with Bluebird Uncaged

My name is Jessica (Guda) Flores.  As one of a few Atlanta natives, I am a writer, a dancer, an observer, and a teacher.  First and last though, I am a student.  After all, from the moment we slip obstinately into this world until we are released, we are learning.  My seven-year college career has taught me as much.

At the “Juntos Podemos” school in Panamá

During college, I spent three years dancing professionally for Atlanta Ballet, fitting school around a full-time dance schedule.  I also toured internationally, moved to San Francisco to pursue a B.F.A. in dance, moved back to Atlanta, put ballet aside while funding my education, and spent two years sharing dance with children from multiple socio-economic groups internationally.  I did all of this while on the Dean’s List,  maintaining a GPA over 3.9.

As I leave Georgia State, I am still unsure of where my experiences will lead, but studying Rhetoric and Composition has brought a new understanding and empathy to my art and to my life as it has taught me to question everything.  Through my studies, I have developed both confidence in my voice and an interest in the mind-body connection within the classroom, but more importantly, I hold in mind that the world is not our puzzle,  it is our playground.

Atlanta Ballet Mayhem performance 2014. Choreography by John McFall entitled “Three”. Photo credit: Brian Wallenberg.

Bluebird Uncaged performance 2015.  Choreography by Jessica Guda entitled “Something About You”.  Photo credit: Christopher May.