Systems Engineer/Dancer

Shelley Hardin

Shelley Hardin, born in Austin, Texas in 1983, received her BFA in Dance from the University of Texas at Austin (UT), where she trained as a dancer and choreographer, and also began her venture into advanced interactive systems. Her background in technology and robotics led her to work as Systems Engineer, choreographer/dancer, in a dance and technology research initiative called Project Aurora. Along with Engineer Wei Yeh, she has created work that incorporates interactive technology to control and manipulate projected images in live performance. Her interactive works include Led (2003), which was presented at the Monaco Dance Forum in 2004; and Fire and Ice (2005), which made its debut at UT's New Works Festival. Aside from technology, her influences include Futurist ideals, performance art, play, jazz, African Diaspora dance, and minimalism. Presently, she resides in Brooklyn, New York and works at the Merce Cunningham Dance Company.