Sarah Slifer Swift

Elegance of movement requires the art of precision, and Sarah Slifer Swift—dancer, teacher, choreographer—epitomizes this grace. With an energy that radiates strength and equal parts grace and poise, Swift’s decades-long career in movement arts led her in 2017 to found MAGMA, the center for movement arts in Gloucester, MA. Situated on the top floor of a cavernous brick building on Pleasant Street, the stunningly light filled-space is the perfect setting for inspiration through movement and collaboration. Enormous windows, almost floor-to-high-ceiling, provide breathtaking views of the harbor and city of Gloucester.

Swift describes MAGMA as “a center for movement practices where people of all ages can discover, develop, and create in a broad curriculum of movement styles; dance technique, improvisation-based classes, martial arts, fitness, performance art, workshops and movement for all populations. MAGMA is an inclusive, non-discriminatory place to move, regardless of dance experience, age, body type, race, sexual orientation, or disability. We also host professional dance research residencies in the summer months.”

“Founding MAGMA came about by me teaching in multiple venues; Boston Ballet School, Salem State, Endicott College. I wanted to stop commuting, and do my work under one roof, and to teach the way I wanted to share my values.” Swift pauses, “I want to say this thoughtfully: I believe that dance is for everyone, that it is not elitist. I wanted to bring together movement arts as both high art, and as an experience accessible to everyone. Also, I didn’t want to make a studio just for me. Yes, I am a professional dancer, but I am very interested in collaboration. I wanted MAGMA to serve a diversified selection of the population, and I wanted to bring other artists to Gloucester, to celebrate the many expressions of the body as art through movement. I wanted a space that was inclusive, professional and culturally. There is no intimidation here.”

Swift graduated from George Washington University, and as a performer and choreographer, her work took her to Europe. Swift has always been drawn to movement, and the body as a conduit for expression. “I vacillated between sports and dance when I was younger. I trained first in ballet, and then discovered modern dance. When I got to college, I wanted to learn all types of movement art. I was voracious to learn. I have always been interested in the idea of training; training the body and mind, the art of that.”

“Part of this was certainly rooted in the intention to stay fit and healthy, a body awareness. There was definitely a sports psychology in how I trained. This helped me stay the course.” Swift continues, “I feel immense satisfaction in the process of movement, the practice of dance. I want to be in my body, and sharing the process, as an artist and as a teacher. It makes sense that I have my own space, the iteration that it became over time, the spirit in which I approach this.”

Swift notes that she has had to change her vision. “It has shifted for sure, what we offer at MAGMA. It has morphed to better resonate within the community, and age group. People have varied ideas of what dance means. I’ve had to grow, and I feel poised in my stride.”

“Everyday, I am excited to get up and do what I do; movement of the body. That is my motivator. I love teaching and helping people learn, and being a resource to my community, and hopefully a source of inspiration, to pique curiosity about the art of dance. I want to be an ambassador for dance in this.”

Swift is an avid investigator of other art forms, and shares the story of collaborating with her husband, Matthew Swift, owner of the eponymous gallery, formerly Trident Art Gallery, just a stone’s throw from MAGMA on Main Street in Gloucester. Early on in their relationship, they collaborated on the Trident Art Series, which led to the opening of MAGMA.

“We hosted an incredible series of performances in the gallery where we brought in writers and their books, and music, to correspond to paintings. I am very fed by other genres, talking with other artists.”

Swift is classically trained, yet makes art that responds to the times. She asks, “How do we live in this moment, these moments? Art that stops at beauty… beauty alone does not move me. I am inspired by people who take risks and seek inventiveness. I look to where art places us in the contemporary moment. How does art help us, show us, how to be more human, and make a positive difference? I want to be a resource to my community, and a source of inspiration about the art of dance. Dance is powerful as an art form. It is a visceral experience when people see a contemporary dance performance as a means to understand this world we are in and to feel connected.”

Watching Swift dance is riveting. With mesmerizing fluidity, she shows deep gratitude for the capability of her body. Swift shares, “From a scientific perspective, dance brings joy to the brain and is known to improve brain health. Dance is a very ancient movement for health benefits, and it is huge for connectivity,
the serotonin release. There is something powerful about coming together with people in a space, and expending energy together. It is beautiful and empowering.”

MAGMA Upcoming Events

July and August at MAGMA, the center for movement arts, in Gloucester, MA, brings visiting artists in residence celebrating transformation, community and positivity.

July 13: IGNITE/Mind-Body Detox with Sohini Livewell, a heart-opening practice including meditation, movement, and ceremony to let your total being shine through. Join Livewell for a “Sacred Transformational Experience that allows the Total Being to shine through. Participants are able to strip away layers of ego, tap into limitation and reawaken their Powerful Authentic Self. This journey is for those who are ready for an exciting push towards clarity, aliveness and freedom.”

July 13: At the CUT, Gloucester, MA, MAGMA co-presents the Illustrious Blacks in concert followed by a dance residency, July 14-17 with Monstah Black of the Illustrious Blacks. The Illustrious Blacks are the self-proclaimed Afro-Electro-Disco-Space-Punks, DJ/Music duo, Monstahblack and Manchildblack, who “fuse futuristic funk, hypnotic house, space disco and synth-pop into pulsating positivity for the planet.”

July 20: Latin Dance Social with Andres Giraldo of Salsa y Control. Salsa y Control is one of the most beloved dance companies in the area. It was started by brothers Johnny and Andres, who perform amazing duets with unique, intricate salsa footwork combinations. Their drive came from the desire to inspire others to express inner emotion through the art of dance.

July 25-28: Laila J. Franklin Dance Residency includes classes open to the public, as well a ‘work in progress’ performance. Franklin is a multidisciplinary dance artist based in Massachusetts and was featured as an Art New England Emerging Artist in 2023, and one of twenty-five to watch in Dance Magazine in 2024.

For further details, visit magma.center.