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Last updated on Thursday, June 2, 2016
(ANDERSON) - Anderson University is one of thirty-one colleges and universities from around the country performing in the American College Dance Association’s National College Dance Festival June 9, 10 and 11. The festival features college and university dancers performing in the Terrace Theater at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
"Our inclusion demonstrates that what prospective students read in our [Anderson University] literature or hear from our faculty or students is actively practiced and produces results," said Shauna Steele, assistant professor of dance and program director. "It additionally indicates the level of support that the university commits to its programs, departments and schools."
Anderson University will be performing Journey Draft 4, choreographed by Fredrick Earl Mosley, on June 9 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Mosley is the founder and artistic director of Diversity of Dance, Inc. In 1998, Diversity of Dance became a not-for-profit organization concentrating on dance education. The major focus of the organization is Earl Mosley's Institute of the Arts (EMIA), which offers residencies and workshops and conducts a summer intensive at The Marvelwood School in Kent, Conn.
This was Mosley's second year working with AU students as a guest choreographer. Steele credits Mosley's experiences in both the professional and educational world as an important part of the professional development of AU students.
The 31 dances to be performed at the National Festival were chosen for their artistic excellence from each of ACDA's 12 regional conferences around the country. Nationally recognized panels of adjudicators selected the works to be presented at the National Festival.
"Being selected to perform at the Kennedy Center puts us [Anderson University] in an elite group of university dance programs, and it elevates our visibility to a national status," said Dr. Jeffrey Wright, dean of the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. "This is an honor afforded to few universities, and it is a strong testament to the high level of dance instruction and performance that students enjoy here at AU."
"Our selection highlights the experiential professional experiences available to our students, provides networking opportunities with schools and professionals from across the country, engages students in the production process so they can actively participate or engage in the professional process, and provides the opportunity to take classes from instructors and master classes from around the country," added Steele.
AU offers three tracks in dance, including performance, business and as a complementary major that offers students the flexibility to select classes within specific skills necessary for their professional career. The program is built within a Christian, liberal arts structure that allows students to use their degree outside the aesthetic area. Graduates of the AU dance program have worked as professional dancers, studio owners, teachers, or have advanced to graduate school in choreography, expressive therapies, dance science and physical therapy.
Tickets, including group sales, are available at the Kennedy Center Box Office. Charge by phone at (202) 467-4600 or (800) 444-1324 and www.kennedy-center.org.
Anderson University is a private Christian university in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America's top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Established in 1917 by the Church of God (Anderson, Ind.), Anderson University offers more than 60 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, music, nursing and theology.
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