Two works from the Santa Fe College Dance program were selected for the American College Dance Association’s Conference Gala, according to a Mar. 12 announcement. Of the twelve pieces chosen from programs across the country, two came from Santa Fe College.
The American College Dance Association (ACDA) is a nationally recognized organization that hosts regional conferences for college and university dance programs. These events bring together students, faculty, and master artists for classes, workshops, and professional adjudication.
Melissa Brenner, Assistant Professor of Dance and Dance Area Coordinator at Santa Fe College, said, “Santa Fe College is one of the few two-year institutions that participates. We present work alongside four-year BFA and even MFA programs—making this achievement especially meaningful.”
This year’s selections included both a student-created piece and a faculty-created work. The student work, titled NOID, was choreographed by recent graduate Garrett Perry and performed by Aydin Robinson, Lila Mantooth, Anna Kosak, Sophie Hale, Addison Williams, and Lucas Hollis. The faculty piece Unsaid was choreographed by Jessie Dominguez and performed by Gylla Macgregor and Aydin Robinson.
Dominguez said about her experience as a new full-time professor creating Unsaid with her students: “Drawing from my background in classical ballet while weaving in the ideas and skills they are developing in the Partnering and Variations class I teach, the process unfolded in a very organic and heartfelt way. What emerged was a beautiful dialogue between teacher and dancers—an opportunity for all of us to express not only our artistry, but also our shared humanity.”
Audiences will have an opportunity to see these works along with other new choreography at Elements of Style on April 3 and 4 at 7:30 p.m. in the Jackson N. Sasser Fine Arts Hall.
SF dance student Lila Mantooth described her experience attending ACDA: “Taking classes during the conference expanded my horizons both through technical practice and social networking,” she said. “Taking SF dance students to ACDA allows us to get our names out there to four-year transfer programs and the professional world. At the same time, the SF dance program gets recognition as an excellent dance program built on dedication and commitment. ACDA was so fulfilling and insightful and I’m so grateful for the opportunity!”
