I met Francis Teppner, Modern Dancer as part of my association with the Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company. Francis is a powerful yet nuanced performer with complete dedication to her craft. Watching her dance as well as having philosophical discussions with her is equally engaging. As such, after an especially interesting conversation with her at La Perla at Gregory House (affiliated with Arts Letters and Numbers), where she holds a part time gig. I felt compelled to talk to her a bit about what it’s like to support and sustain yourself in a notoriously challenging art form.
Please state your name and title and what you do. Can you share a bit about your educational and experiential background.
My name is Frances Teppner and I’m a Modern dancer with the Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company where I preform professional modern dance works and teach creative movement workshops across the capital region. Apart from the company I teach various levels of ballet at local studios and contemporary at RPI (Rensselear Polytechnic Institute). I received my BFA in Dance with a Minor in Psychology from Jacksonville University in 2024.
Can you share a bit about when you knew you wanted to be in dance?
My body always knew. I can always remember dancing. I remember a letter my mom found, that I wrote her declaring that I would be a dancer and a dance teacher. Before I’d ever taken a lesson. I was drawn to it.
Being a dancer is notoriously financially challenging; how do you make ends meet?
I’m lucky that a percentage of my income comes from rehearsing 4 days a week, performing, and teaching with the Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company. However, the bulk of my income comes from managing the Front of House at La Perla at Gregory House and teaching 7 dance classes throughout the week.
Our training and devotion in the studio strengthens technique and develops artistry but it also teaches us resilience and patience as we wait for the reward of practice turned progress; learning how to be uncomfortable, striving for but never reaching perfection. Dedication is what keeps the art alive despite the financial hardships. Dancers are programmed to work for their art.
I see that in addition to your BFA in Dance you have a Minor in Psychology. How does that educational background inform your performance career?
Psychology attempts to understand and categorize the mind, what motivates behavior, while dance can encapsulate these thoughts, emotions, and responses and inform the body to connect to individuals and audiences in a way that words fail to describe. The two go hand-in-hand in my practice, understanding my thoughts and what I’m trying to experience through my movement helps me convey a similar experience to the audience that is shaped by their interpretation. It’s all psychology.
If money was no issue, what would your ideal version of this career path look like?
I would want to continue to learn and share my passion as much as possible. In whatever form that takes.
SHAMLESS PLUG: Anything specific you would like to share with us about a project or opportunity you are participating in?
The company is going to be a part of a film “Slipping Into One” that will be releasing this fall. You can see me in that.
My mom Ginger Teppner also just published her book “Searching For Anthony Love: A History of Dust.” I plan on creating a dance work inspired by her work in partnership with her in the future.