Photo by Tim Coburn Photography

Dear Friends,

The beginning of our school year is ridiculously exciting—with our students returning from incredible international summer experiences, our nervous new students arriving from around the country, an astonishing adjunct faculty joining to support our full-time faculty, new musicians, new Dance Partnership Council members, a new $10,000 gift (wow), and a Kennedy Center performance within our first three weeks of school! Oh….and don’t forget we performed at Arts by George on September 28th, ok, maybe we plan to show off just a LITTLE bit.

Our annual Freshmen Welcome, hosted by Donna Kidd, Peter Stearns, Elizabeth (Buffy) Price and Mike Brown, was as fun as ever, with 25 new students to welcome, all with incredible stories of why they chose Mason. A stunningly beautiful night at the Fairfax Country Club, the food, flowers, views, and most importantly, our new dancers made it an easy and truly enjoyable night. Thanks to VP of Advancement and Alumni Relations and President of the GMU Foundation, Inc., Trishana Bowden and Dean Rick Davis for their incredibly inspiring words to our dancers, and as always, the 100% participation of ALL our faculty and staff; present, supportive, and well… kinda cool as usual, just made it such a meaningful event!

We head into the next months, with auditions for next year’s class (which actually seems crazy), creations for our concerts, classes, classes, classes, and a great deal of excitement and enthusiasm. So! If you have read this far, you have an open invitation to stop by, take a look at our day to day, ask for more information, or just drop in and say hello. Our percussionists will be rocking, our pianists will be transporting us to magical places, and the care and expertise you will observe from our faculty will undoubtedly make you want to be a part of our culture. Everyone needs a nourishing moment for the sublime, where it simply feels incredible to be a part of life, art, and creation, you are welcome anytime.

I, and the entire School of Dance, hope to meet you in person in our studios soon. And thank you for all that you contribute already to the Arts at Mason.

Warmly,

Susan Shields

Photo by Tim Coburn Photography

MASON DANCE LEAPS ACROSS THE POND

The School of Dance creates an exciting partnership with London's Northern School of Contemporary Dance.

Dance artist Shaun D'Arcy knows firsthand the impact of sharing new ideas in the world of contemporary dance. With the inauguration of a brand-new partnership between George Mason University’s School of Dance and England’s Northern School of Contemporary Dance (NSCD), students from both prestigious institutions will have the chance to learn, explore, and build together.

Photo by Tim Coburn Photography

The 2024 Alumni are already making their presence felt on the National dance scene!

Odin Brock: David Parsons Dance Company

Michael Cherry: Complexions, NYC

See him performing at the Kennedy Center this season!

Lauren Ciccolini: Cuerva Rivera Dance Company, Chicago

Natalia Collado: Performing on cruise ships and traveling the world

Brianna Dawkins: Camille Brown and Dancers- NYC

Nicholas Elizondo: Rire-Woodberry, Utah

Jessie Ferguson: Trainee with Houston Contemporary Dance- Texas

Ella Kim: Dance Works Chicago

Anna Lopez: Rubber Band Dance, Montreal

Morgan Olschewske: Kyle Abraham A.I.M., NYC

Fabio Tello Muñoz: Dayton Contemporary Dance, Ohio, Catch him in October, performing at the Joyce in NYC

Elizabeth Wiehe: Pennsylvania, Chamber Dance, DC Metropolitan Area

Photo by Tim Coburn Photography

Do you recognize this stunning dancer?

Linda Garner Miller

Highlights from an informative, entertaining and inspiring conversation with the School of Dance’s beloved Distinguished Professor, Linda Miller

Are you amazed by the extraordinary photos in this newsletter?

Meet Tim Coburn, Master Portrait Photographer

Photo by Tim Coburn Photography

Photo by Tim Coburn Photography

Each year, world renowned guest artists work with George Mason dancers, giving them access to some of the best and brightest choreographers in modern dance. Don’t miss the captivating works in the 2025 Gala Concert featuring some of today’s most innovative choreographers.

                                                                                                                                                              Enjoy:

The primal power of The Hunt by Robert Battle

The flowing serenity of Cloudline by Robyn Mineko Williams

The energy and sophistication of a World Premier by Christopher d’Amboise

The pure movement fascination of The Fracture of Light by Yin Yue

Photo by Tim Coburn Photography

The celebratory event of the season! Join fellow Mason dance supporters at a pre-performance gathering celebrating the extraordinary School of Dance performers and faculty. Learn more about this powerful and remarkable art form directly from the dancers and faculty. Enjoy great food, drink before heading over to be thrilled by the incredible performance of the Gala Concert at the Center for the Arts.

This fantastic evening includes:

- Informative studio demonstrations offering insightful commentary about the works in the Gala Concert

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

- The Dance Gala Concert: the crowning event of the 2024-2025 season featuring the work of world-renowned choreographers 

Robert Battle

Christopher d’Amboise

Robyn Mineko Williams

 Yin Yue

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

Individual Tickets are $125

The Mason Dance for PD

Fall 2024 Session is Underway

Please Join Us!

Fridays 1:00-2:15 pm

Sep 20 - Nov 22

We are so excited to welcome you back to our studios! Returning to lead classes this fall is Elizabeth Spatz, Mason School of Dance adjunct faculty member, with assistance from GMU BFA dance majors. This free, ten-week session starts Friday, September 20th (additional details below).

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. We hope to see you starting on September 20th for the Fall Session!
 
Click below to register for Dance for PD® classes and sign up for FREE Mason dance concert 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.