Although Maya Angelou is most known for her work in literature, she also studied and excelled in numerous other areas throughout her life. Growing up in rural Arkansas, Angelou was raised by her grandmother and became exposed to music, dance, theater and language at a young age. At the age of eight, she moved with her mother to San Francisco, where she attended school. As a teen, Angelou dedicated her time to learning important life skills and continued her education in various subjects.
By age sixteen, Angelou had already made significant strides in several areas. Among these were a focus on academics, especially in creative writing and analyzing literature. She was also involved in composing music and became heavily involved in dance. She trained in African dance for many years, performing on stage and learning the craft of the art. This time in her life marked the beginning of her professional career.
In her late twenties, Angelou began to pursue her dream of becoming a writer. To support her literary aspirations, she studied screenwriting, acting, and directing at the New School for Social Research in New York City. She received a scholarship to study theater at the California Labor School and later studied dance and drama at the University of Ghana. While in Ghana, she took classes in philosophy and ethics, which she later credited for providing the foundation of her writing.
Angelou continued learning throughout her life. She preceded to earn a lifetime honorary degree from Berkeley in 2013 and she was a distinguished Reynolds professor at Wake Forest University from 1982 to 2014. Angelou was also an active writer and public speaker and had even been considered for a position in the Carter administration.
In addition to the fields stated above, Angelou also studied the history of African-American art, music and literature. She essentially became an immense collector and synthesizer of knowledge and performed research in numerous languages (such as French, Italian and Spanish) in her endeavors. Angelou was an avid learner and dedicated an incredible amount of time and effort to her studies to better her understanding of the world and how to apply it to her craft.
Literature
Maya Angelou was a dedicated scholar and pursuit of literary themes and topics was a recurrent focus throughout her life. She was raised in a literature-heavy environment, which undoubtedly left a lasting impact on the way she approached her work. From an early age, Angelou developed a strong appreciation for the written word and would even start writing and reciting poetry at the age of eight. At the New School for Social research, she furthered her studies in creative writing and analyzing literature which served as the main foundation for her work as an author.
Angelou faced several personal and societal obstacles during her life, but she was still able to find the beauty in literature to convey the richness and complexity of her experiences. She became known for her use of expressive themes such as hope and identity, as well as blunt yet gentle takes of life and love. Despite the harsh realities of racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination spell out in her works, Angelou maintained a strong belief in the power of theater and literature to bring about a shift in perspective, leading to greater understanding.
From her depictions of her own life to her commentary on political and cultural issues, the literature and works of Maya Angelou are a testament to her commitment and dedication to the study of literature. Angelou’s works have influenced multiple generations and has given others permission to recognize, examine and appreciate their own stories. Her legacy as a writer and scholar will continue to live on, inspiring readers to find their voices and appreciate the timeless power of words.
Theater
Maya Angelou’s interest in theater was apparent from a young age and evolved quickly into a major passion of hers. From the ages of nine through sixteen, she was actively involved in theater, performing musicals and dramas with local troupes in San Francisco and travelling the U.S. and parts of Canada performing Hopi Indian ceremonial dances. As a teen, Angelou attended Lewis and Clark Theater, where she perfected her skills in improv, movement, and ballads.
After her graduation from high school, Angelou devoted much of her time to studying theater. She was granted a scholarship to study theater at the California Labor School and in Ghana, Angelou took classes in drama and poetry, arming her with the knowledge she needed to pursue her dream of becoming a writer. She also had the opportunity to perform her works in various venues, often dazzling the audiences with her unique combination of poetry and speech.
Throughout her life, Maya Angelou wrote and performed in various plays and continued her exploration of the craft until her passing in 2014. Her extensive studies in theater made a significant impact on her writing and her use of metaphors and imagery to tell powerful stories is a testament to her commitment and dedication to the craft. Even after her death, Angelou has been remembered as a key figure in theater whose works have helped to develop a more humane, culturally-embracing theater movement.
Music
In addition to her active involvement in theater, Maya Angelou is widely recognized for her meticulous study of music throughout her life. She initially began exploring the art of music as a child and soon found a true passion for the craft. As a teen, she attended San Francisco clubs and fell in love with jazz and blues. Angelou was also interested in composing her own music, a feat she found challenging but ultimately rewarding.
In addition to jazz and blues, Angelou was well-versed in classical music and opera. She studied the works of renowned composers such as Handel and Beethoven and tailored her music to reflect the different cultures she encountered. Her love for music made her a truly multi- dimensional artist, displaying her creative talents in various forms.
Angelou was an influential musician who used her knowledge and skills to shape the society in which she lived. The combination of her musically inclined lyrics, her rebellious and original singing style and her capacity to adapt her music to fit the times put her in a class of her own. In the many pieces she wrote and the works she left behind, she continues to inspire generations of music lovers who seek to tap into their innate creativity.
Dance
Maya Angelou was an active participant in African dance as early as her childhood. At 14, she began to train in modern African dance with a group in Los Angeles, which she continued with for many years. Through her troubles, Angelou was able to find refuge in the art of dance and she learned more about the craft during her stays in Ghana and Egypt.
Angelou was an influential figure in modern African dance and her works were praised by her contemporaries. Her style was described as ‘precise and athletic’ but also ‘deeply touching’, with a presence of simplicity, sophisticated artistry and poignancy. Her works are often credited with laying the foundations for contemporary African-American dance and her legacy has been attributed to influencing the development of both classical and modern art.
In addition to her dances, Angelou was interested in African art and sought to create a platform that highlighted African culture and its aesthetics. She took part in the development of an African-American dance collective in New York City and she also made sure to keep her works alive by teaching them to her students. Through her passionate research and dedication to the craft, Angelou was timelessly influential in the development of African and African-American dance.
