Sylvia Sasse



Projects by Sylvia Sasse

Journalism Story

Diving Deep into IU Ballerinas

By Will Morris, Ellie Belshaw, Jola Wright and Sylvia Sasse

BLOOMINGTON, Ind (April 3, 2025)

As a young girl, Anjuli Paul can still recall the times she spent twirling around her living room. She smiles as she remembers, “I was always just dancing around the house.” Her passionate path as a ballerina began with those carefree moments of spontaneous movement that eventually evolved into a serious endeavor.

 

Paul, now a freshman at Indiana University, began her formal ballet training at the age of four, encourag

Anjuli Paul, Freshman at IU ready for her day of being a ballerina. Her story telling and knowledge of this art is spectacular

ed by her mother, who thought it would be a good fit. But it wasn’t until she was eleven years old that ballet started to mean more to Paul. “That’s when I really started to take it seriously,” she recalls. Ballet changed over time from being a mere pastime to become her life’s passion.

“I think my favorite part of dancing has always been performing,” adds Paul. “It’s just such a special experience.” Paul sees ballet as an opportunity to share something really personal, rather than just a form of dance. She notes that her main form of self-expression has always been dance. Paul, who describes herself as an introvert, struggles to express her feelings in words, but she is able to do it on stage with each leap and pirouette.

Her capacity for nonverbal communication is the foundation of Paul’s relationship with dance. “Dance has always been a way for me to express myself,” she adds thoughtfully. Deeming herself a

As Anjuli Paul states “dancing is a way for her to express herself and show emotion”. This is her while she is practicing for her next big show.

s an introvert, expressing herself through movement

has always felt natural to her. 

A significant part of being a ballerina at Indiana University is not just the performances, but the preparation that goes into each one. Paul takes us behind the scenes to see what it’s like to get ready for a show, starting by explaining their pre-performance ritual. “We stand in a circle with the group, close our eyes, and squeeze each other’s hands. It’s a way for us to center ourselves and prepare for what’s coming,” she shares. 

The process leading up to a performance starts long before the first rehearsal. A choreographer arrives with a preliminary casting list, called ‘learning groups,’ to begin developing the routine. The following rehearsals serve as an audition, a time when the dancers may learn a “key phrase” of choreography. This could determine their role in the final performance. “After the choreographers leave, they won’t come back until tech week, which is the week before the show,” Paul explains. “Once we have the choreography, we’re running it every day, every week.”

Each day up until the performance is filled with rigorous rehearsals. The stakes are high, especially during tech week, which Paul describes as the “craziest” part of the process. “We are here from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day,” Paul says, laughing. “I tell my friends I’m going into survival mode.”

During tech week, the dancers run the entire show in full makeup and costumes, and practice with the orchestra. Though a dem

Anjuli Paul getting herself all ready before her practice begins. It’s a long day ahead of her.

anding schedule, it ensures the dancers are prepared for every moment of the show. Once tech

week is over, the group performs all week long, with the Monday following the performance being the only break. “The whole process is very intense,” Paul states.

The entire process—from auditioning dancers to selecting choreography and rehearsing for performances—takes about eight weeks. Paul’s most recent piece, ‘Sandpaper Ballet’, started at the very beginning of the semester. “From there we’ve just been working on it through now,” she says. “I would say it usually takes about two months.”

Paul’s path to Indiana University was shaped by years of dedication.She became even more dedicated to dance when she transferred to a Boston boarding school for her senior year of high school. She attributes this transition to the nature of being a dancer, having previously been living away from home since she was fourteen. “It definitely made the transition to college easier, especially with living away from home,” Paul added. 

Her time in Boston prepared her for the professional demands of ballet, especially the expectations at Indiana University. “Being able to work with the Boston Ballet Company really helped prepare me for that more professional environment,” she says. “It also helped with that transition from being a student to being more of a professional dancer.”

As she embarks on her freshman year, Paul continues to push herself both as a dancer and an individual. She believes ballet brings out the best version of herself. “It really allows me to express myself,” she explains. “There are certain things you can’t explain with words, and for me the way to express that is through movement.”

Her experience is proof of the ability of performance to not only display skill but also to discover one’s voice in a manner that words cannot always express. Ballet is more than just an art form to Anjuli Paul; it’s a place where she discovers who she is and shares that with the world.

From the living room to the stage, her journey is just beginning, but it’s clear that dance will continue to be a key part of her story, both at Indiana University and beyond.

https://youtu.be/rDuIrTfzyaA

Public Relations Story

Staying Ahead of the Times: Apple Watch is a New Level of Connection

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 9, 2014

Media Contacts

Vivian Ferreri vferreri@iu.edu

Sylvia Sasse ssasse1414@gmail.com

Devin Murphy devohnine@gmail.com

Apple Introduces the Revolutionary Apple Watch: A Stylish, Smart, and Personal Way to Stay Connected

CUPERTINO, California (September 9th 2014), Apple CEO Tim Cook introduced the world to the Apple Watch, a new device designed to improve life. This small, stylish watch does more than just tell time. It helps you stay in touch, track your health, and organize your day, all from your wrist.

“Apple Watch is the most personal device we’ve ever created,” Cook said. “It’s designed to be with you every moment of the day, keeping you connected and helping you live better.”

Apple has changed the way people use technology. The iPod (2001) made it easy to carry any song in your pocket. The iPhone (2007) put a phone, camera, and computer all in one. The iPad (2010) created a new way to browse the web, read, and watch videos. Now, this new device brings the same level of innovation, quality, and seamless integration to a watch that fits perfectly into daily life.

Philip, a 27 year old fitness enthusiast checks his heart rate after his daily run. The Apple Watch’s health resources helped Philip prepare for his latest marathon, where he ran his fastest time yet.

The Apple Watch has a bright screen and a special button called the Digital Crown that makes scrolling and selecting simple. You can customize how it looks by choosing different watch faces and changing the band to match your style. The watch comes in three models: Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport, and Apple Watch Edition. Just like previous phones, the Apple watch allows calls, texts, and notifications without pulling out your phone. The watch buzzes on your wrist to let you know you have a message. You can also send fun messages, like drawings or even your heartbeat, to friends and family. 

The Apple Watch isn’t just smart; it also helps you stay healthy. It has an Activity app that reminds you to move throughout the day and tracks how much exercise you get. It also has a heart rate sensor that lets you see how active you are. Whether you’re going for a walk or

Luke, a 24 year old server uses the stopwatch feature on his iPhone to ensure he prepares a customer’s espresso in a timely fashion. Restaurant rules prevented Luke from having access to his phone but the Apple Watch helped him monitor important text messages in a professional environment.

 just for a quick jog, the Apple Watch can help you reach your fitness goals. The watch encourages a more active lifestyle by providing reminders to stand up, move around, and close your activity rings, making it a great product for those trying to get more active.

“We designed the Apple Watch to be more than a timepiece. It’s a tool to help you live a healthier, more active life,” said Jony Ive, Apple’s Chief Design Officer. “It seamlessly blends technology and personal well-being in a way that is both functional and beautiful.”

The Apple Watch runs on a special system called watchOS, which is made just for the watch. It includes features like Glances, which show you things like the weather or your calendar, and Force Touch. Force Touch lets the watch tell the difference between a tap and a press, giving you more control. With the simple raise of a wrist, you can check their messages, view upcoming appointments, or control their music. The interface is intuitive, making it easy to navigate and use, even for those new to wearable technology.

The watch also comes with built-in apps, like Apple Pay, which lets you pay at stores 

Doug, a 50 year old veteran bartender, chats with customers. He liked the durability of the Apple Watch in a hectic environment and the fact it allowed him to communicate crucial information to management without leaving the bar.

just by holding your wrist near the register. Maps on the watch even give you directions with a tap on your wrist when it’s time to turn. The ability to use Apple Pay means you can leave your wallet at home and still make purchases securely. With voice commands through Siri, the Apple Watch allows users to stay productive without needing to pull out their phones.

Apple Watch comes in different materials, including stainless steel, aluminum, and even 18-karat gold. There are also many different bands, from sporty rubber to elegant leather and metal, so you can make the watch truly your own. Every detail of the Apple Watch has been crafted with care to ensure it not only looks good but feels comfortable on the wrist. The variety of styles ensures that there is a perfect match for every personality and lifestyle, making it more than just a piece of technology—it’s a fashion statement.

“We wanted the Apple Watch to be something personal, something that fits your life,” said Apple’s Senior Vice President of Operations, Jeff Williams. “It’s more than just a device—it’s a reflection of you.”

Apple Watch will be available in early 2015, starting at $349. As more developers create apps for the watch, it will become even more useful. With more apps, the Apple Watch will continue to grow, offering new features and services over time. The combination of health tracking, communication tools, and seamless integration with the iPhone makes it one of the most advanced wearables on the market.

Tim Cook explains the intricacies of Apple Computer Inc.’s latest device, the apple watch. Cook announced the release of this product September 9 at the Flint Center at De Anza College in Cupertino, California

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