The start of 2024 has been rich with artistic collaboration throughout the School of Dance. Well before the semester began our dancers returned to campus to work with acclaimed guest artists to bring the choreography of Kyle Abraham, Rena Butler, Martha Graham and Susan Shields to life.

In addition to the usual whirlwind start to classes, auditions, and rehearsals, a number of our majors traveled to Memphis, Tennessee in January for the International Association of Blacks in Dance Conference. Senior dance major Brianna Dawkins’ choreography titled Stepping Into the Light was performed to a standing ovation!

Our majors will experience a variety of master classes this semester. They will work with incredible artists from the companies of DanceWorks Chicago, A.I.M. by Kyle Abraham, Philadanco, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, The Martha Graham Dance Company, and more. We continue to prepare our talented pre-professional dancers with real world connections to important dance artists in the professional field.

Photo by Tim Coburn Photography

We have a wonderful season of Spring performances to share with you! We kick off with the 2024 Mason Dance Company Gala Concert on March 22 and 23 in the Concert Hall. This year’s performance includes works by Kyle Abraham, Rena Butler, Martha Graham and our own Susan Shields.

The highly anticipated annual Fête on Saturday, March 23 is once again Co-chaired by the amazing Kim Eby and Julia Morelli. The Fete raises vital scholarship funding for our talented majors. Enjoy the festive evening surrounded by gorgeous flowers provided by Donna Kidd, and delicious hors d’oeuvres. Mingle with fellow dance lovers while getting a behind-the-scene look into the Gala works, then head to the Concert Hall for the Gala performance.

On April,13, the Mason Gala cast of Martha Graham’s Steps in the Street will perform with The Martha Graham Dance Company at the Center for the Arts.  Our dancers are honored to be invited to share the stage with this world-renowned company.

Photo by Tim Coburn Photography

At the end of the busy semester, The Mason Dance Company will premier works created by talented junior and senior choreographers. Spring: Dance Innovations, in Harris Theater features two separate programs of original choreography. A few days later, we will share another evening of dance in the Studio Series, located in our more intimate Dance Performance Space which will also be live-streamed for family and friends.  As the semester closes, we will celebrate our Class of 2024, as they head out into the world to pursue their dreams and continue their lives in dance!  

We look forward to sharing our art with you and we look forward to having you join us in the theater!

Photo by Tim Coburn Photography

Photo by Tim Coburn Photography

Mason School of Dance receives National Recognition for it's distinguished Professional Residency program. 

Jumana Al Refai, BFA Dance ’17, received the Young Alumni Commissioning Project Award and $5,000 in commissioning support for Tashkeel َتْشِكيل, a collaboration that explores all aspects of “Haraka”—the Arabic word for movement including language, landscape, music, and connection. 

Researchers at George Mason University’s School of Dance and School of Kinesiology are studying the intricate world of collegiate dance as they try to develop a better understanding of the physical and mental demands placed on dance majors.

Senior choreographer Brianna Dawkin’s work, Stepping Into the Light, received a standing ovation at the International Conference and Festival of Blacks in Dance. Learn more about this inspiring event.

Daniel Puneky

Daniel graduated from Mason in 2006 and headed to NYC to perform professionally with Keith Thompson’s dance Tactics, and Ellen Cornfield.  He is now a professor at UCLA and a Primary Care Doctor. Learn more about his accomplished career path.

Billy Smith

Billy has embodied the dancer dream. Upon graduation in 2007 he immediately began his professional performing career with the internationally renowned choreographers David Parsons and Mark Morris. Learn more about his remarkable journey.

Alumni videos by Anna Lopez

We are so proud of all our alumni and of all you have accomplished! We are encouraging all alums to share your stories with us. Or, if you meet an alum and want to brag on their behalf feel free to share! (with their permission of course)

Just go to dance@gmu.edu and share! We all look forward to hearing from you soon! 

Meet Elizabeth Spatz, a treasured member of Mason Dance Faculty. In recognition of her continuous contributions to the School of Dance, she received the University's 2023 Outstanding Achievement, Adjunct Faculty Service Award.

Collective effervescence is the feeling of energy and harmony that occurs when people are engaged in a shared experience. It is the joie de vivre that manifests when the audience erupts in simultaneous applause. We can find our greatest joy in sharing these moments of collective effervescence.

Photo by Tim Coburn Photography

The Gala Concert is Mason Dance Company’s crowning season event featuring works by world renowned contemporary choreographers performed by the extraordinary Mason Dance Company. 

This year’s Gala Concert celebrates a rich array of diverse choreographic voices spanning from the early days of modern dance to the freshest perspectives of today.

Martha Graham’s iconic Steps in the Street (an excerpt of Chronicle) is a powerful and rhythmic group work, created as a response to fascism in Europe, performed by twelve women. The work premiered in New York City at the Guild Theater in 1936, with the following program note:Chronicle does not attempt to show the actualities of war; rather, by evoking war’s images, it sets forth the fateful prelude to war, portrays the devastation of spirit which it leaves in its wake, and suggests an answer.

Kyle Abraham’s Drive is a memory infused piece celebrating the ecstasy of the dance club experience. He readily admits that the origins of his dance career began in the club world of his teen years growing up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A.I.M. by Kyle Abraham's website describes Drive is a “high energy propulsive work set to thumping club beats originally commissioned for New York City Center’s 2017 Fall for Dance Festival”.

Rena Butler ’s This, That, and the Third is an explosive work that explores themes of otherness and code -switching. Butler introduces each member of the six-person cast through a series of distinctive solos and intimate duets. Over the course of the 23-minute work, a powerful ensemble evolves finding connection through shared experience, revealing the power of multiplicity and a progressive future.

Susan Shields’ Visions and Miracles is a joyous and colorful celebration of music. It will remind our audiences that Spring is right around the corner. A large ensemble piece that showcases the vitality and grace of our beautiful dancers, Visions and Miracles resonates all of the vibrancy that is humming under the ground now, eager to blossom, and serves as a lovely metaphor for our emerging young performers as they embark on their journeys. 

                                  Learn more about this year's 2024 Guest Artists

An Inside-the-Studio Celebration Benefiting Student Scholarships

Saturday, March 23, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.

deLaskii Performing Arts Building 

Photo by Tim Coburn Photography

Kimberly K. Eby and Julia G. Morelli, Co-Chairs
Karen J. Reedy, Director, School of Dance

This pre-performance event is a special celebration of the extraordinary School of Dance faculty and students for those who support School of Dance students through scholarships. Learn about what it takes to produce this powerful and remarkable art form directly from the dancers and faculty and enjoy great food, drink, and company before heading over to the The Dance Gala Concert at the Center for the Arts.

This fantastic evening includes:

-Open studio demonstrations by students exploring work by leading choreographers.

- Delicious hors d'oeuvres, wine, and dessert reception with faculty, students, and supporters.

- The Dance Gala Concert: the crowning event of the 2023-2024 season featuring the work of world-renowned choreographers Kyle Abraham, Rena Butler, Martha Graham, and our very own Susan Shields, performed by the talented Mason dancers, the next generation of professional artists.

Each year this annual event funds critically needed scholarships. Sponsorships, tickets, and other donations invest in the next generation of professional dancers, choreographers, arts administrators, and dance educators.

Sponsorships begin at $550 and include recognition benefits and a charitable donation to support Dance student scholarships

Individual Tickets are $125

School of Dance Alumni and Current Parents tickets are available for $100.

For more information, call Amanda Snellings at 703-993-1593.

Spring: Dance Innovations offers two distinct programs of new works created and performed by the Mason Dance Company.

A showcase of new works choreographed and performed by the Mason Dance Company.

The Mason Dance for PD

Spring 2024 Session is Underway

Please Join Us!

Fridays 1:00-2:15 pm

February 9 - April 19

We are so excited to welcome you back to our studios! We are also thrilled to offer all Dance for PD® participants and a guest the opportunity to join us at our Mason School of Dance performances taking place in November and December at the George Mason University Fairfax campus.  

Register today for Dance for PD® and receive FREE tickets! 

Photo by Tim Coburn Photography

Did you know that 94% of all donations to Friends of Dance go directly to student scholarships?

The Friends of Dance at Mason is a group of dedicated supporters who love our School of Dance program and students. They ensure the success of the next generation of dance artists through community engagement, audience participation, and philanthropic support for student scholarships.

They may be distinguished alumni of the program dedicated to giving back to their alma mater, parents of current students or alumni, or local arts supporters who love dance. Everyone is welcome. The Friends of Dance represent the School of Dance at performances and events to help encourage others to support scholarships. A gift of any amount qualifies you as a member.

Friends of Dance enjoy these benefits on an annual basis: 
- Invitations to special events such as rehearsals, master classes, performances, and lectures by artists-in-residence 
- Opportunities to volunteer at School of Dance performances, with a complimentary ticket 
- Updates from the Director of the School of Dance via email 
- Networking and connecting with fellow School of Dance alumni and supporters as well as current students and faculty 
- Recognition in School of Dance and Center for the Arts programs, and CVPA Annual Report 

To make a gift online, visit https://dance.gmu.edu/give. You can also contact Johnna Johnson at jthomp76@gmu.edu to receive the mailing address for a check, or to find out more about becoming involved as a volunteer leader for the Friends of Dance or Dance Partnership Council.