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Home › Alumni Stories › Danielle Lydia Sheather

Danielle Lydia Sheather

Assistant Professor of Dance (Tenure Track) at Southern Utah University
Alumni, MFA, 2016

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.

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On this Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2021, UA Dance remembers the Selma to Montgomery voting rights march led by Dr. King in March 1965. We are proud to have taken part in the 50th anniversary commemoration that took place in March 2015. Professor Melissa Lowe received an invitation from Alabama Gov. Robert J. Bentley and under her coordination, faculty member Barbea Williams choreographed a piece and traveled with now School of Dance alumni, Kennedy Thomas and Kevyn Butler to Alabama where they performed on the steps of the Alabama State Capitol in a nationally televised ceremony. Bernice King, Dr. King’s daughter, was among the featured speakers. Thomas and Butler also performed in educational programming designed for youth and the three participated in lectures and discussions.

Of the experience, Lowe said, “This is one of my high points in all of my years of teaching. When we can send a dancer to an event that is of national importance, it not only provides great visibility and prestige for us, but it is a great opportunity for our dancers.”

Photo left to right: UA Dance Ensemble members Kevyn Butler and Kennedy Thomas, Bernice King, UA Dance faculty member Barbea Williams at the 50th anniversary commemoration of the Selma to Montgomery March in Alabama (2015)
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20 hours ago

On this Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2021, UA Dance remembers the Selma to Montgomery voting rights march led by Dr. King in March 1965. We are proud to have taken part in the 50th anniversary commemoration that took place in March 2015. Professor Melissa Lowe received an invitation from Alabama Gov. Robert J. Bentley and under her coordination, faculty member Barbea Williams choreographed a piece and traveled with now School of Dance alumni, Kennedy Thomas and Kevyn Butler to Alabama where they performed on the steps of the Alabama State Capitol in a nationally televised ceremony. Bernice King, Dr. King’s daughter, was among the featured speakers. Thomas and Butler also performed in educational programming designed for youth and the three participated in lectures and discussions.

Of the experience, Lowe said, “This is one of my high points in all of my years of teaching. When we can send a dancer to an event that is of national importance, it not only provides great visibility and prestige for us, but it is a great opportunity for our dancers.”

Photo left to right: UA Dance Ensemble members Kevyn Butler and Kennedy Thomas, Bernice King, UA Dance faculty member Barbea Williams at the 50th anniversary commemoration of the Selma to Montgomery March in Alabama (2015)
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Cheers to our graduating dance majors!
We are so proud of you. 💙 ❤️

BFA
Elise Cricchio,
Katie McCluskey, &
Ben Ferguson, Outstanding Senior!

MFA
Emigdio Arredondo Martínez

Celebrate their big achievement by visiting: graduation.cfa.arizona.edu
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1 month ago

Cheers to our graduating dance majors! 
We are so proud of you. 💙 ❤️

BFA
Elise Cricchio,
Katie McCluskey, &
Ben Ferguson, Outstanding Senior!

MFA
Emigdio Arredondo Martínez

Celebrate their big achievement by visiting: https://graduation.cfa.arizona.eduImage attachmentImage attachment+2Image attachment
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How exciting. Congrats

i love you all!!💙💙❤️❤️

Congratulations!💙❤️

CONGrats!🎉

Well done! Congratulations!

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Now Showing!
UA Dance Digital Debut: Dec. 15-20 & Jan. 5-10
Online/On-Demand
Free Admission
To register and watch: watch.dance.arizona.edu

Join UA Dance for a virtual performance of works produced during the Fall 2020 semester that capture and juxtapose the isolation and togetherness of our current collective experience. The program features a new work by Hayley Meier, a re-staging of Elizabeth George-Fesch's “Woven” (2016), a new poppin' take on a holiday classic by Marquez Johnson, and an excerpt from Paul Taylor's “Cloven Kingdom” (1976). Plus, view an improvisation collaboration featuring the entire freshman class!

Photo by Ed Flores
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1 month ago

Now Showing! 
UA Dance Digital Debut: Dec. 15-20 & Jan. 5-10
Online/On-Demand
Free Admission
To register and watch: watch.dance.arizona.edu

Join UA Dance for a virtual performance of works produced during the Fall 2020 semester that capture and juxtapose the isolation and togetherness of our current collective experience. The program features a new work by Hayley Meier, a re-staging of Elizabeth George-Feschs “Woven” (2016), a new poppin take on a holiday classic by Marquez Johnson, and an excerpt from Paul Taylors “Cloven Kingdom” (1976). Plus, view an improvisation collaboration featuring the entire freshman class!

Photo by Ed Flores
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Thank you UA Dance!!!

Happy last day of classes! Already looking forward to 2021 back in the studio!

Photo: Erina Ueda
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1 month ago

Happy last day of classes! Already looking forward to 2021 back in the studio! 

Photo: Erina Ueda
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Such a gorgeous space!

Beautiful, Erina💜

Beautiful!

>> Pointes from Professors <<
Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies, Tamara Dyke-Compton, is the co-director of dance at Perry Mansfield Performing Arts Camp, has been on faculty for Dance Masters of America, Domaine Forget in Montreal, and The Dance Project in Toronto. She has performed principal roles in Twyla Tharp’s “Movin’ Out,” as well as the national Broadway tour of “Fame.”

Tammy tells us how she ensures she is providing equal attention to both online and in-person students simultaneously:

“I always like to check in with my students—when we first log onto Zoom and with my in-person dancers—with a simple ‘Good morning, how is everyone?’ We usually start every class with a mindfulness pause and set our intention for the class. This allows us all to be present, in the moment, and connect as a class even if it is virtually.”
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2 months ago

>> Pointes from Professors
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I had the opportunity to watch Camryn in your class last year . You are such a gift to U of AZ...

Bella would love to take class with you again!

Mom and dad did something right You should be proud What a beauty. Inside and out

Christopher loves your classes! 🥰🤗👍

Congratulations to LILY CONG, who was the 2019/2020 Ralphie Spirit Award winner!

One way we celebrate our UArizona Dance values is the Ralphie Spirit Award, a recognition named in memory of dance major Ralph Romero. This peer selected award recognizes a dancer in our program who exemplifies these five qualities:
OPTIMISM of the “glass is always full” variety;
KINDNESS that manifests itself in daily acts of generosity;
ASPIRATION that is undaunted and filled with the lust for life;
A SENSE OF SELF that is unique and unapologetic; and
AN ATTITUDE of the noble variety

Former Dance Collective club president, Ally Hauke, wrote “Lily is a beautiful example of everything this award is. Her kindness spreads throughout the entire program….She has been an inspiring and gracious leader to not only her freshman class, but to the program as a whole! Thank you Lily for the love and positivity you've brought into the program this past year— we are so grateful, and you're appreciated by all of us!”
... See MoreSee Less

2 months ago

Congratulations to LILY CONG, who was the 2019/2020 Ralphie Spirit Award winner!

One way we celebrate our UArizona Dance values is the Ralphie Spirit Award, a recognition named in memory of dance major Ralph Romero. This peer selected award recognizes a dancer in our program who exemplifies these five qualities:
OPTIMISM of the “glass is always full” variety;
KINDNESS that manifests itself in daily acts of generosity;
ASPIRATION that is undaunted and filled with the lust for life;
A SENSE OF SELF that is unique and unapologetic; and
AN ATTITUDE of the noble variety

Former Dance Collective club president, Ally Hauke, wrote “Lily is a beautiful example of everything this award is. Her kindness spreads throughout the entire program….She has been an inspiring and gracious leader to not only her freshman class, but to the program as a whole! Thank you Lily for the love and positivity youve brought into the program this past year— we are so grateful, and youre appreciated by all of us!”
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Congratulations that's fabulous

Congratulations Lily

Congrats !!!! Such an honor !!!

CONGrats, Lil’ 💙❤️

Congratulations Lily!

Congratulations to you, Lily! 🎉❤️

Congratulations!! This is so awesome!!!

Congratulations, Lily!

Congratulations Lily!!! 🎉

This is so wonderful. I knew Ralph Romero and he had all of those attributes. So glad you guys are doing this still💜

Congratulations 🎉

Sooooo well deserved!! ❤️

Congrats 🎉🎈🎊

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All photos by Ed Flores featuring UA Dance Ensemble members unless otherwise noted.

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