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M. Amber Spivey

Newark

Emerging
Dance: Choreography

By: Gail Obenreder

“My hope is to speak life into people, offering a fresh perspective and resilience through my choreography.”

As a choreographer, M. Amber Spivey is “inspired by my experiences as a black woman” firm in her belief in “the power that faith, limitless possibilities, love, and perseverance” can provide for people regardless of age or background. But Spivey did not set out to be a choreographer.

The native Delawarean grew up in Bear, the oldest daughter in a family with four children. Her parents shared a love of music “coupled with playful dancing,” and opening a door for “any and all artistic pursuits.” One of her brothers is a vocal artist, and her sister is a visual artist. Spivey chose dance, intending to be a trained dancer, “the recipient and canvas for someone else’s vision and artistic voice.”

She was inspired early on by companies like PHILADANCO, Urban Bush Women, and Alvin Ailey’s classic work “Revelations.” Spivey was “captivated by their stories, perceptions, and even the call to action,” seeing artists that “looked like me and experiences I could relate to.” In 2005 the Newark resident left Delaware to train at Long Island University and study dance in New York City.

Determined to keep training and working in her field closer to home, in 2009 Spivey found a position as an intern and began studying with the noted dance company PHILADANCO, commuting from Delaware to Philadelphia for several years. She became a member of their apprentice company, working closely with the rehearsal director as a company liaison. This leadership position allowed Spivey to learn best practices for “choreography, administration, performance logistics and rehearsal strategies.”

Though the thought of choreography had at first felt “overwhelming and intimidating,” acquiring these new skills opened her to having the confidence to create dances for others. Gaining wisdom through life experience and honoring her own perspective has allowed her to realize that “I have something to say, too.” Over the past two years, she has been “very intentional about claiming to be a choreographer and creating works.” The pas de deux “You Are,” which she submitted for her Fellowship application, shows her maturing style, filled with powerful bursts of movement, lyricism, and moments of stillness.

For Spivey, the most rewarding aspect of choreographing is “having a vision or concept in your head and witnessing another human being be the instrument that carries the vision.” She is “in awe” as she watches her movement choices being “clearly communicated on a dancing body.”

In 2022, Spivey took another leap of faith and created the dance collective I AM ART N MOTION, where freelance dancers are subcontracted to perform at an array of events, theaters, and venues. She acquired the confidence to start this new enterprise from a quote by Ruth Bader Ginsberg: “Speak your mind, even if your voice shakes,” and facing her fears, “I did just that.”

Spivey sees dance “as a form of activism, creating stories that range from provoking curiosity to creating healing.” To expand her vision, she has recently been working to become a life coach, finding that it closely parallels her work as a choreographer and teaching artist. The Division’s fellowship will allow her to take new workshops, expand her training with masterclasses, work to make dance arts more accessible to aging adults, and undertake a film project on black women’s identity. The award is “an absolute honor and privilege as an artist.”

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