Meet the Dancers: Arpège Lundyn–Nothing to Prove, Only to Share
From Saint Louis Dance Theatre's "Meet the Dancers" series.
Arpège Lundyn's journey through dance started in recreational programs before she found her home at On The Edge Dance Studio in Los Angeles, where Robert Gilliam and Kim Borgaro helped shape her foundation. From there, her path took unexpected turns: a BFA from Alonzo King LINES Ballet, a bachelor of arts in psychology from Dominican University, commercial work with BET, Disney, and Nickelodeon, directing short films, and now her second season with Saint Louis Dance Theatre.
It's a career that defies easy categorization. And maybe that's the point.
Arpège Lundyn, Spencer Everett & Jessie Yero in Notes on a Farewell by Tommie Waheed-Evans | Photo by Pratt + Kreidich
"Contemporary is my favorite style because it can encompass all of my other favorite genres to create something out of the box," Arpège explains. "I really try to push the boundaries of movement while still feeling genuine to myself and my background." That ability to blend—commercial dance with concert dance, psychology with performance, film directing with stage work—creates an artist who brings multiple perspectives to every rehearsal.
Last season, For Love's Sake became a watershed moment. "It's a very vulnerable piece for me as the first new work I learned in the company and required me to show up in a way that was never required of me emotionally, physically, and spiritually," she reflects. That kind of demand—to be present in every dimension—reveals what makes Arpège's work compelling. She's not just executing choreography; she's showing up fully.
Arpège Lundyn in For Love’s Sake by Kirven Douthit Boyd | Photo by Pratt + Kreidich
The mental game is what challenges her most. "The physical is absolutely challenging but having the mental fortitude to push past the pain and keep believing in yourself and choose growth is a completely different beast," she admits. It's that psychological training coming through, that understanding of what it takes to override doubt and choose growth even when every muscle screams otherwise.
When Arpège needs inspiration, she turns inward and outward simultaneously: "Self reflection, or hearing other people speak about their journeys." There's wisdom in that balance—knowing yourself while learning from others, holding space for your own process while remaining open to what others can teach you.
Arpège Lundyn and Jorrell Lawyer-Jefferson in For Love’s Sake by Kirven Douthit Boyd | Photo by Pratt + Kreidich
The best advice she's received cuts to the heart of performance anxiety: "Nothing to prove, only to share." It's a reframe that transforms pressure into gift-giving, competition into communion. You can see that philosophy in how she approaches quality time—her most valued love language. "I'm happy to spend any time with the people I love, but prioritizing and intentionally spending uninterrupted time together is unmatched," she says. It's about presence, about being genuinely there, whether in relationships or in art.
St. Louis has offered her new spots to unwind: Tim's Chrome Bar and St. Louis Soup Dumplings are current favorites. Her playlist runs eclectic—Jalen Ngonda's "So Glad I Found You," Duckwrth's "Ce Soir" featuring Syd, and Smino's "Pro Freak" with Doechii & Fatman Scoop. For fuel? Anything with avocado and/or cheese keeps her going.
Off stage, Arpège paints and does puzzles—activities that require the same patience and problem-solving as choreography, just in different mediums. And for screen entertainment? She's equally comfortable with light-hearted shows like Schitt's Creek and New Girl as she is with "really trashy—yet good—reality TV." (Although her all-time favorite TV show is Scandal!) She's also re-reading the Vampire Academy series because, in her words, "who doesn't love hot vampires that get your emotions and feels racing?"
A favorite memory from last season was Secret Santa. "It was a great time to see how well we had all grown to know and pay attention to each other. You could feel the love," she says. Those moments of connection, of really seeing and being seen—that's the quality time that matters. That's what she brings to the stage.
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