Meet senior Paulina Harnisch, a dedicated student artist whose passion for both dance and music has made a lasting impact on Notre Dame’s performing arts community. Whether she’s choreographing with the Notre Dame Dance Company, sharing her talents as a pianist, or promoting the arts as a DPAC Ambassador, Paulina brings heart, artistry, and intention to her work.
In this spotlight, Paulina reflects on the experiences that have shaped her journey and the role the arts play in creating connection on campus and beyond.
What roles do you play in the performing arts community at Notre Dame?
At Notre Dame, I am a member of the Notre Dame Dance Company, and I participate in the ND DanceCo showcase each semester, which is composed of student-choreographed dances of many different styles (contemporary, ballet, hip hop, jazz, and more). I danced on the Notre Dame Pom Squad during my sophomore year, which is ND’s club dance team. I have also taken piano lessons at the O’Neill Hall of Music to continue my piano training. I enjoy serving as a DPAC Ambassador to both promote and experience performing arts performances all year long!
Can you share a memorable moment that made you fall in love with the performing arts or your specific role in the arts?
I grew up taking piano lessons and performing in concerts from the time that I was six years old through the end of high school. There was one concert during high school that I was super nervous about playing—I was going to be performing the piece “Fantasie Impromptu, Op. 66” by Frédéric Chopin, one of the most complicated pieces that I had learned and memorized to that date. I ended up playing well during the concert, and I was really proud of myself for not forgetting a part of the piece and playing it at the level that I had hoped for. After the concert, a few members of the audience came up to me and told me that they were moved by my performance, which gave me a lot of joy. It is moments like these that have made me fall in love with the piano, music, and the performing arts even more.
How has your experience in the performing arts shaped you as a person?
I cannot imagine who I would be without the performing arts. There is something intrinsically elemental and divine about the arts, and I have loved creating, learning, and performing through both dance and music. I have had an amazing personal journey through the arts, and I am grateful for the growth that I have experienced. Improving as an artist and a performer takes discipline and practice—I have learned how to challenge and push myself to reach my highest limits. I love the exciting rush of performing and getting to express my creativity for others. I feel that the arts have affected every aspect of my life; they have made me a better learner and a more reflective, introspective, and intentional person in my day-to-day life.
What impact do you think the performing arts have on campus and the broader community?
I have loved both experiencing and becoming involved in the performing arts on campus at Notre Dame—they have added an incredible dimension to my student experience. The performing arts unite students on campus as they come together to showcase their passions and talents for others. Many cultural student groups put on performances to showcase their cultures for the wider community, and I love that the arts serve as a source of belonging and identity for many. Art is a form of expression, advocacy, and togetherness—at DPAC, I feel very connected to the South Bend community, and I love watching community members from all walks of life come together to enjoy a performance or a film screening. When life feels overwhelming, the arts always serve as a bright light to bring people together. The performing arts give me (and many others) so much joy!
How has DPAC influenced your experience with the arts at ND?
As a student, it is very easy to get overwhelmed by homework, classes, and campus obligations. It can be hard to mitigate stress and stay connected with others. DPAC has been an important and incredible refuge for me; it is a place where I feel calm and content, and I am able to enjoy performing arts shows from a wide variety of performers. I have had some of my best memories at DPAC, and I am grateful for the community that it has given me and the opportunity that I have had to connect with others and remain grounded through the arts. I have also been able to experience shows that I would have never been able to see otherwise and learn more about performing arts styles that I was not as familiar with. I love DPAC—it is an incredible hub for the performing arts on campus!
From her earliest piano recitals to vibrant performances onstage with the ND DanceCo showcase, Paulina’s story is a reminder of how the performing arts can inspire personal growth, foster community, and offer a powerful sense of belonging.
We’re so grateful for the energy and insight she has brought to DPAC and the arts community during her time as a Notre Dame student!
