What I've Been Up To
Currently I am serving as Assistant Professor of Dance at Southern Utah University (SUU) teaching a 5/6 load. I was hired to create a Jazz dance curriculum that would offer equitable technical training on par with Ballet and Modern dance. Within six months of beginning my position, I had written the curriculum and it was fully approved by the university. I am happy to report that the Dance Program at SUU will be the first of its kind in the entire state of Utah. Jazz dance will no longer be an elective or singly required course, instead students will be required to train in all idioms equally so that versatility can be a major standard upheld by the program and students can be exposed to a more robust education. This would not have been possible without the support of my colleagues, Chair, and Dean in addition to the stellar training I received in both my undergraduate and graduate careers.
Since graduating from UA, my work has been showcased in New York City at WHITE WAVE’S DUMBO Dance Festival held at the Gelsey Kirkland ArtsCenter and the SoloDuo Showcase held at Dixon Place. I have been commissioned by Zodiaque Dance Company to create original work several times and my piece Corvus was the Celebration 45 Gala opener in the fall of 2018. This past week I premiered, Permanent Impermanence, a new piece for this spring’s Faculty Concert: Tabula Rasa at SUU and acted as Rehearsal Director for Mark Burrell’s work A Night Out.
Before moving to Utah, I served as Lecturer and Guest Artist for East Carolina University and Clinical Assistant Professor for the University at Buffalo. During the summer months, I am on faculty at Dance Masters of America’s Teacher Training School and their Student Honors Intensive Program. I continue to train daily and have recently become an avid runner, at 6000ft its definitely keeping me fit! I have loved learning about this style of cross-training for dancers.
How UA Dance inspired and/or impacted me as an individual
I don't believe that any other graduate program could have prepared me for the experiences that I have had since receiving my MFA from UA. I think back often to how UA's faculty inspired me to continue to learn, continue to grow, and more importantly, continue to evolve as a dancer, choreographer, artist, and educator. Their constant encouragement, both while I was a student and beyond, has been immeasurable and feeling like there is always someone in your corner is really vital following graduate school. They have always been a phone call away and for that I am forever grateful. Additionally, the individualized attention and educational opportunities at UA definitely helped me to understand both the academic and non-academic sector. I feel comfortable easing in and out of these two worlds and strive to maintain that balance because I am committed to teaching from a relevant and meaningful place.