By Anna Skinner
Gabby Mullins has been dancing since she was a toddler. She’s loved the outdoors since that age, as well. She visited the Hoosier National Forest in Bedford, Ind. with three other dancers last month to be photographed for a project titled “Dance Across the USA.”
“It’s to raise awareness and funds for the national parks and to showcase the arts program like dance and theatre and singing and acting and to raise awareness for our parks and show off the beauty of the parks,” the 13-year-old said.
Mullins was chosen from a pool of 3,000 applicants. Eventually, the photos will make it into a book available for purchase.
Photographer Jonathan Givens began his trek across the U.S. in July, and he is working his way back to photograph girls in many of the national parks. Plans are to finish up this month. He had to raise $40,000 for the project to pay for permits for shooting professional photos in the parks. Givens is camping out wherever he shoots.
“I’m really excited since it’s in a forest,” Mullins said about the shoot. “There’s a lot of hikes and trails, and I’m excited to show the nature part of the parks and also the nice artistic part of it with the dancing. It’s just a great way to showcase it by putting the two together. I’m really excited to see the final product.”
Mullins dances jazz, lyrical, contemporary ballet, tap, hip hop and musical theater but said jazz is her favorite style.
For more, visit danceatusa.com.
