From the Director, Karen Reedy |
Dear Friends of Dance,
The School of Dance is buzzing with excitement this fall. We hit the ground running this semester with classes, auditions, rehearsals, and visiting guest artists. Our exceptionally talented young artists continue to move and inspire. Each week has provided numerous opportunities and special events – it has been quite a whirlwind of creativity!
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Photo by Tim Coburn Photography
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On August 25, 2022, the Mason School of Dance held its annual Freshman Welcome for the incoming Class of 2026 dance majors. The event, hosted by Donna Kidd, Peter Stearns, Buffy Price and Mike Brown, was attended by students, faculty and supporters of the Mason dance program. Oh what a night!
A number of guest artists have provided master classes throughout the semester, and on Wednesday, September 14th, DanceWorks Chicago visited the School of Dance for a day long residency. Artistic Director Julie Nakagawa and dancers taught classes, performed, led discussion and a professional development seminar. The day was truly remarkable and enjoyed by all of our dance majors.
Thank you to all who joined us for ARTS by George! on September 24. On the plaza, our freshmen performed a site-
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specific improvisation, while inside our studios we shared insight and performance of works by Camille A. Brown and Susan Shields. We love sharing these behind the scenes looks into our artform.
On Saturday, October 15, a selection of senior dance major choreographers created new works in response to poetry for Fall for the Book. This event, titled Lyrical Motion: A Poetry and Dance Collaboration, was inspirational for the choreographers, poets and audience members. Read more about the event and watch the video here.
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We wish a heartfelt congratulations to Vicki Salmon, recipient of George Mason University's 2022 Alumni Service Award. She is associate dean emerita for graduate studies in Mason’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA). Among her many accomplishments, Vicki added seven new graduate degrees to CVPA, including an MFA in Dance. Vicki continues to serve the university as Chair of the Arts at Mason Board, as an adjunct faculty member in the Arts Management Program, and as a member of our Dance Partnership Council, the advisory board for the School of Dance. Thank you, Vicki, for your ongoing service to George Mason University!
Please join us! Our majors have been hard at work in the studio, creating and dancing in the new works being prepared for our numerous fall performances. In November, Fall: New Dances kicks off our performance season. The program includes premieres by Mason faculty, Shaun D'Arcy and Christina Robson, in addition to new works created by our talented majors. December is rich with performances of Fall: Dance Innovations and the Studio Series, showcasing our talented Senior and Junior choreography. Read on or click here for more information about upcoming performances.
Alongside rehearsing for fall concerts, preparation is underway for our 2023 Mason Dance Gala Concert. Auditions have commenced and we welcomed our first guest artist residency of the year with Doug Varone’s Double Octet. Dancers are looking forward to the December and January residencies of Robert Battle, Rafael Bonachela, and Manuel Vignoulle!
We have so much to share and we can't wait to see you in the theater!
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| Odin Brock and Ella Kim in Susan Shields' Displaced at ARTS by George! Photo by Risdon Photography.
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Meet a Mason Dance Student |
The George, a Mason e-newsletter, recently published a terrific article on Joshua Dias, a freshman dance major from Woodbridge, Virginia. Dias' mentors were Jamie Howes, and Kim Richi, both Mason Dance alumni. Howes is currently the Director of Dance at Charles Colgan High School in Manassas. Richi is the owner and Director of Studio Bleu. Dias will major in dance and seek a certificate in computer science at Mason.
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Alumni Spotlight: Jovick Pavajeau-Orostegui |
Meet alumnus Jovick Pavajeau-Orostegui. Jovick graduated with a BFA from the School of Dance in 2020 and is now a professional artist with Rubberband Dance Group in Montreal, Canada. Check out this video featuring a day in Jovick's life as a professional dancer.
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Meet Our Faculty: An Interview with Shaun D'Arcy and Christina Robson |
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Composed and eloquent, Shaun D’Arcy's thoughtful approach to dance permeates her teaching from technically challenging ballet and contemporary classes, to choreography and Somatic studies.
Shaun’s latest work, War Children, is set to a haunting piano score by Alexandra Streliski.
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Assistant Professor Christina Robson is a performer, educator, and choreographer from Boston, Massachusetts. Christina is a long-limbed bundle of joyous energy and her infectious smile lights up the studio daily.
Christina will be premiering her first work created with the Mason Dance company. Groundswell is densely packed with expressive splashes of movement at every turn of Judd Greenstein's valiant score, Clearing, Dawn, Dance.
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Both works will premiere in the Fall: New Dances Concert on November 11 and 12 at 8pm in Harris Theatre.
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| Fall: New Dances Harris Theatre Friday, November 11 & Saturday, November 12, 8pm
Featuring the work of Shaun D'Arcy and Christina Robson. Step out of this cool autumn weather and into the theater for a performance filled with diverse choreography and talented dancers.
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Photo by Tim Coburn Photography
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Photo by Tim Coburn Photography
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Fall: Dance Innovations Harris Theatre Friday, December 2 & Saturday, December 3, 8pm Mason choreographers showcase new works performed by the Mason Dance Company.
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December Studio Series deLaski Performing Arts Building, A301 Tuesday, December 6, 6pm & 8pm
Studio Series is an intimate black-box experience showcasing new dances by George Mason University's School of Dance.
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Save the Date for the 2023 Gala Concert and Fête |
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Photo by Tim Coburn Photography
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| The Gala concert is the crowning event of the 2022-2023 season featuring the work of world renowned choreographers Robert Battle, Rafael Bonachela, Doug Varone, and Manuel Vignoulle, performed by the talented Mason dancers, the next generation of professional artists.
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Join us at the Fête!
Saturday, March 25, 2023 5:30PM-10PM
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Experience the joy of dance in a festive atmosphere at the Dance Fête. This pre-performance event is a special celebration of the extraordinary School of Dance faculty
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and students. This exclusive opportunity is for sponsors and donors 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. Tickets for the Fête include admission to the Dance Gala Concert. Proceeds from the event support School of Dance student scholarships.
To sponsor or join the invitation list, contact Amanda Snellings at asnelli@gmu.edu or 703-993-1593.
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Fridays through November 18, 1-2:15 pm deLaski Performing Arts Building A3009 Registration is requested.
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| Ongoing - Dance for PD®
George Mason University's School of Dance is pleased to announce the return of its Dance for Parkinson's Disease program! After the success of last year’s pilot program, the school is happy to bring back FREE classes. Lucy Bowen McCauley, a Certified Dance for PD® Teaching Artist, leads each session joined by faculty and students from Mason School of Dance. Members of the community who are living with Parkinson's Disease, as well as their caregivers and partners, are welcome to attend! More information can also be found at https://dance.gmu.edu/about/dance-pd. Come to one session or all, join at any time.
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LIVE Center Mentoring Series: Masterclass with Dwight Rhoden and Clifford Williams Monday, November 7, 1:30pm This is a virtual event. To receive the Zoom link, email asnelli@gmu.edu by Nov. 6.
Friends of Dance are welcome to observe this masterclass via zoom. The LIVE Center Mentoring Series brings choreographers and dancers from around the world to work with students via the Window Wall video technology. Dwight Rhoden (Founding Artistic Director/Resident Choreographer) has established a remarkably wideranging career, earning distinction from The New York Times as “one of the most sought out choreographers of the day.” Clifford Williams received his dance training from the School of American Ballet, The Ailey School, Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, and The Juilliard School. Williams has set numerous Dwight Rhoden works on schools and has assisted the choreographer on projects for professional companies as well as So You Think You Can Dance.
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| LIVE Center Mentoring Series: Masterclass with Tiler Peck This is a virtual event. Monday, November 28, details to follow
Friends of Dance are welcome to observe this masterclass via zoom. The LIVE Center Mentoring Series brings choreographers and dancers from around the world to work with students via the Window Wall video technology. Tiler Peck is an international ballerina and has been a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet since 2009. She has been seen on Broadway in On the Town and The Music Man and originated the role of Marie in The Kennedy Center’s production of Little Dancer, alongside Kyle Harris. Ms. Peck performed for President Obama at the 2012 and 2014 Kennedy Center Honors.
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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 artists through community engagement, audience participation, and philanthropic support. 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 and program funding. A gift of any amount to any School of Dance program, event (including the Dance Fête), or scholarship qualifies you as a member and entitles you to the benefits listed below.
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 Amanda Snellings at 703-993-1593 or asnelli@gmu.edu.
To donate via check (payable to the George Mason University Foundation), mail to College of Visual & Performing Arts Friends of Dance
4400 University Dr. MS4C1 Fairfax, VA 22030
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If you'd like to become more involved with the Friends of Dance or Dance Partnership Council as a volunteer leader, please contact Amanda Snellings at asnelli@gmu.edu. Details about Friends of Dance events are announced via email.
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