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Assistant Professor of Ballet Colleen Barnes traveled with a group of UA Dance majors to the East-Central conference of American College Dance Association (ACDA) last week in Athens, Ohio, where students took a full schedule of dance classes led by renowned teachers and choreographers.
UA students performed original pieces in an adjudicated concert. Molly Bagatto (sophomore) performed Kennedy Cole’s (junior) piece “I See Her Face,” receiving high recognition from the adjudicators and listed with the best in the conference. |
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Bachelor of Arts in Dance
Chloe J. Redman is a currently in the pursuit of gaining a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Akron's accredited dance program. From age ten all the way through high-school, Chloe trained at the University of Akron's Dance Institute under the executive direction of former Cincinnati ballet dancer Christina Foise. Through this pre-professional ballet based program Chloe had opportunities to learn from and work alongside local as well as international artists such as Ohio Ballet dancers Damien Highfield and Shauna Conzaman, free lance artist Brian Murphy, Neos Dance Theater, Groundworks Dance Theater, Kegwin and Company, Joseph Morrissey, Le Ballet Jazz de Montreal and many more. Chloe has had extensive performance experience and looks forward to continuing to pursue performance for many years to come
Dance Major
Lydia Marshall has been dancing since she was just three years old. She danced competitively for many years, and she decided to turn her love of dance into her future by becoming a Dance Major at the University of Akron. In her college career she has performed in concerts with the Youngstown State University Dance Ensemble, The Lindsay Renea Dance Theatre, and the University of Akron Dance Company. Outside of the dance program, she is a dedicated member of the University of Akron Dance Team. Lydia is also a staff member with AmeriDance, requiring her to travel the East Coast and teach her original choreography to high school dance teams. Upon completion of her degree, Lydia plans to share her love of dance with the next generation by becoming a teacher. In the spring, Lydia will be starting a certificate program at New York University in order to continue her study of careers in the performing arts.
Bachelor of Arts in Dance with Business Cognate
After graduating this spring, I will be engaging in the field of dance by pursuing a career in arts administration; my goal is to work for a dance company in a business or administration role. I also would love any opportunity to advocate for the importance of arts in our lives. This could entail inspiring others through teaching, outreach, presentations, and other informative ways for people to understand the purpose of the arts
One of my favorite memories while being a student at the University of Akron is being a student assistant for three years at The University of Akron’s pre-professional program The Dance Institute. I loved working with and teaching the students and learning the business areas of dance at the office and the managerial aspects of organizing and holding a show. I will also have very fond memories of the people I have met, friends I have made, classes I have taken, and performances I have danced in at The University of Akron for the rest of my life.
Photo Credit: Dale Dong
Bachelor of Arts in Dance with Business Cognate
I plan to eventually move to the west coast to dance and perform and eventually obtain my MBA.
Bachelor of Arts in Dance with Business Cognate & Bachelors of Arts in Psychology
I will be continuing to teach dance as it is a passion of mine.
One of my best memories is being backstage with everyone getting ready for a show and feeling the excitement and anticipation of performing.
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance
I have been auditioning this spring semester in hopes of joining a Ballet Company or a dance position with a cruise line after graduation. As things are up in the air with this pandemic, my audition schedule got cut short. However I am optimistic towards the future that I will land a performance job as that is my goal upon graduation. I also may end up teaching dance as that is more of a long term goal, after performing for as long as I can.
I loved being backstage before a show. You can feel the excitement in the air, especially before opening night. All the dancers would either be running between dressing rooms, singing really loudly, warming up, finishing their makeup and hair, or putting on their costume. It was practically chaos but everyone was always so supportive and would cheer each other on once you got on stage. It was a real family back there.
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Congratulations to UA Dance major Marisa Huguley who was accepted into the collegiate showcase at the The International Association of Blacks in Dance Conference! She is attending the 32nd Annual IABD this week in Philadelphia. |
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What is your official title here at the University? What has been your educational background? Where did you study? Do you have any previous experience with dance in particular? What have you learned in working with dancers specifically? What particular challenges do dancers face? What work do you often do with the dancers here at UA? What advice would you give dancers to stay healthy? What exercises do you think are the best? |
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What is your dance background? I took my first jazz class when I was 11 years old and from there I joined the competition team at my studio where I competed in groups, trios, duets, and solos. I was an assistant teacher for two years and that was the time that I realized that I love teaching and wanted to continue in the future. You're in a unique position as you already own your own dance studio and will be able to fully focus on that directly after graduation. How did this come about, and were there any particular moments or opportunities in the UA dance program that has or will help shape your long-term goals and vision for the studio? I taught at a competitive dance studio for two years before starting my own in September of 2017. This was a great stepping stone because I loved what I was doing but wanted to be more involved in the decision making process. I have had a lot of help and support from my family in making this dream come true. There have not been any particular moments that helped me open the studio, but I have taken everything that I have learned from class and company residencies and applied them to the way I teach and choreograph now. I do not think I would be as successful if I did not go through the UA dance program. What opportunities do you think our dance program has afforded you professionally? The dance pedagogy classes have given me more experience with teaching from ages preschool to high school. I had the opportunity to go to Firestone High School and teach yoga to a class of high school athletes. This is definitely something I want to do again in the future for sports teams at local high schools. I have learned so much from my time in the UA dance program. The part I value the most is all of the experience and new ideas that I have gotten from taking dance classes every day. My dance technique has improved significantly and I am so glad that I get to leave UA as a better dancer which will make me a much better teacher for my students. What interested you in coming to the UA for dance? UA is close to my home and I knew that the dance program was very good. I did not know that we have the opportunity to take classes from professional companies until my first semester here. It is so beneficial to be immersed in their company for a week even if you do not want to be a professional dancer, like myself. I have seen so many professional dancers and choreographers and have learned so many new ideas from them that I can translate to when I teach. What is the most common question you get asked as a dancer? “Why don’t you ever wear your hair down?” Where do you see yourself after graduating? I plan to get a yoga certification as well as continue to grow my dance studio in hopes of gaining more students and eventually moving to a bigger space. Another goal is to attend conferences and workshops periodically to keep up with what is happening in the dance world. |
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What/who inspired you to pursue Dance? I saw a dance recital of a friend when I was five years old, and at the time I was doing gymnastics. I immediately fell in love with their movements and the costumes. When my family and I moved, we looked for a dance studio and I found my future at my home studio, Lititz Academy of Dance. The teachers there cultivated my love for the art form and encouraged me to keep it going with my higher education. What would you say was the best life lesson you've learned so far through UA Dance? Never take anything for granted. If you truly want something, you have to work super hard for it. I learned this during my first semester of freshman year in ballet when I was told that I wasn’t quite ready to move up. However, I pushed myself and I eventually made it. Is there a favorite style of dance that you prefer? I have always loved classical ballet. It’s really difficult to make all of the moves look so effortless, but I welcome the challenge. Plus, the tutus are pretty great. Share with us your career goals: I plan to audition for the B.F.A degree this spring, and then I will pursue my dream job of a contemporary ballet company. After that, I will either teach at a dance studio/conservatory or pursue my Master’s to teach at the University level. Any which way, I’ll always continue to dance. Is cereal soup? NO! Soup is hot and only for dinner, cereal is cold and for breakfast or dinner! |
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Lily Marie AdamsSeniorClass of 2019Major: Dance |
Q: What/who influenced you to attend the University of Akron for Dance? A: I chose to attend the University of Akron by a spur-of-the-moment decision to visit the campus on my way home from a tour at Kent State…..Go Zips! I actually did not even know that UA had a dance program at the time (my mom knew; she was really on top of the college research!), so I was reluctant to stop. It was toward the end of the day and we were tired, but we parked and made our way into Guzzetta Hall with open minds! Our Administrative Assistant, Frances Donatelli, was on her way out of the office for the day, but she so kindly welcomed us in and sat us down to tell us all about the dance program and the university. After that, I was sold! From that moment on, I have felt at home at UA and have been so thankful for that random stop on our way home. Q: If you could pick your dream job, what would it be? A: My dream job is actually what I am on track to do- own a dance studio! I have been in love with the idea of teaching dance since I was very young, and there was really nothing else I could ever see myself doing. Being able to foster students' talents and passions is such a rewarding profession to be involved in. However, if I had to choose something else, I think it would be amazingly fun to perform as a character at Walt Disney World!
Q: What is your favorite UA Dance performance thus far? Why? A: My favorite UA Dance performance has to be Spring Into Dance 2017. It was such a fun show to be involved in; there were 13 pieces of all different styles! A UA alumnus, Aaron Knowles, choreographed the piece I was in and it was a high-energy, emotional, and impactful piece that I will surely never forget.
Q: Share with us your greatest dance accomplishment: A: My greatest dance accomplishment probably has to be all I have accomplished at UA. I have had classical ballet training since age 3, but ballet is the only style I had ever danced. When coming to UA, it was apparent that I would need to become a more diverse dancer! Since starting as a student here, I have taken modern dance, jazz, tap, contemporary, and even African dance! It was definitely difficult to push myself out of my comfort zone at first, but now as a Junior who feels well versed in many styles of dance, I am very glad I did!
Q: If animals could talk, which would be the rudest? A: The rudest animal would probably be cats (even though they are my favorite animal)! You can tell they are silently judging everything you do. If they could speak English, I’m sure they would not be able to hold their tongues. |
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Jessica DoughtySeniorClass of 2018Major: Dance |
Q: How did you hear about UA Dance prior to attending The University of Akron? A: I was actually a transfer student. I found out UA had a dance program from word of mouth and online research of dance programs in Ohio. I also knew a girl who graduated high school the same year as I who was involved in the program. I asked her a few questions, and she had nothing to say but good things. I had a visit during the summer of 2015 and began my second year of college at UA that fall. It has been like home to me ever since!
Q: If you could get lunch with any dance celebrity, whom would it be with? Why? A: Tough question. We just had Koresh in residency a little over a month ago, and during that time we ate lunch with company members every day. How do you beat that? Having lunch with Roni Koresh himself would be my choice. His company's performance at EJ was the best dance performance I have seen in person. He is such a brilliant choreographer. I would love to sit down with him to discuss in depth about his process and meaning of some of his work.
Q: Share with us your favorite dance move! A: Anything modern or sassy!
Q: Where do you see yourself taking your Dance experiences to after UA? A: If an opportunity to perform comes, I would take it. I could see myself performing for a small modern company. I also love teaching and choreographing-who knows where those things will take me. My real goal with dance is to bring it to children who would normally not have the opportunity to take classes or experience it. I would love to bring dance into children's hospitals, public schools, and provide opportunities for inner-city kids.
Q: What mythical creature would improve the world if it existed? A: All of my little dancers LOVE unicorns-so I guess unicorns would improve the world... for them at least!
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Q: Why did you choose to pursue Dance at the University of Akron?
A: For their dance program and how Akron had the option and opportunities to coincide with business. Also, all of the performing opportunities, as well as chances to choreograph. Akron is very fortunate to be able to have residencies and guest artists; especially now with the new National Center for Choreography.
Q: Where do you see yourself after graduation?
A: After Graduation I see myself auditioning everywhere! I would love to dance for Disney for at least a year before I continue with the process of opening my own dance studio! I will also be getting married after graduation, so a lot to look forward to.
Q: If you could give one piece of advice to an incoming freshman majoring in dance here at UA, what would you tell him/her?
A: Get involved- not just with the campus in general, but with the dance program. Coming in can be very overwhelming to some people. Audition for everything. Sit in the dance lounge because everyone is always talking and having a good time.
Q: If you could meet any historical figure, who would it be and why?
A: Probably Walt Disney himself because I love Disney and his company. His quote: "It's kind of fun to do the impossible" describes me very well because I am constantly challenging myself and wanting to prove that certain things can be done.
Q: What is the most common question you get asked as a dancer?
A: What do you want to do with your degree? or Do you get to do a cool show?
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Q: Why did you decide to pursue dance at The University of Akron?
A: I decided to pursue dance at The University of Akron because I wanted to improve my limited technique in modern and ballet. The dance program allowed me to develop and improve my techniques by taking multiple classes every day.
Q: How has your overall experience with the UA Dance program been?
A: My experience with the dance program has been great. I am surrounded by a supportive dance student community that shares ideas and concepts with one another to improve and grow creatively. The faculty and guest choreographers are very creative and each has their own way of teaching. This provides a chance for me to become an artist on stage and individually express myself while supporting the choreographers' visions.
Q: I heard this semester you have been working with
A: Working with Verb Ballets has been a good experience for me. The work called "Bolero" for Heinz Poll Tribute has been a challenge for me because the sequence of movements varies slightly with each repeated phrase; it requires focus and concentration to remember where you are in the music and dance. I feel it's good for dancers to be challenged in this way.
Q: What do you see yourself doing after graduation?
A: After
Q: What advice do you want to give to future UA dance students?
A: The advice I have for future dance students is to truly follow your heart, embrace your style, and take risks! The way you dance is what makes you, YOU. It is nice to imitate others, but what makes you different and keeps your creativity going is dancing for yourself. Also, progress does not come without a process!
Erica Piper was the student speaker at the Summer 2015 Commencement ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 15, at 10 a.m. She graduated with a B.F.A. in Dance and a B.A. in Dance Education.
Leah Anthony was selected to present her original dance piece Against Madness at MLK Activities Fair as part of the Rethinking Race series at The University of Akron.
