Department of Dance

During ACDFA at Pennsylvania State University, graduate student Mariko
Yamada’s work “Loyal Truth” was selected to perform in the gala concert,
Assistant Professor Mariah Maloney’s “Vensters” inspired audiences, and
undergraduate choreographer Jessica Lynch’s “Run til I Can’t” was powerfully
received. Yamada relates her experiences of ACDFA, “Within such a stunning
variety of viewpoints, aesthetics, and approaches to dance, I was delighted and
proud to see the powerful presence of Brockport dancers, choreographers, and
teachers. It was an affirming experience of how the Brockport dance department
is supportive of each student's uniqueness and growth as a young artist."
Brockport faculty and graduate students also offered masterclasses on a wide
range of topics from Exploring Rhythmic Tradition of Africa by faculty member
Khalid Saleem to Alexander Technique by Assistant Professor Suzanne Oliver to
Hip Hop Fusion by graduate student Nicole Kaplan.

Travelling to Weber State University in Ogden, Utah, undergraduate students
Morgan Bernat, Michelle Glynn, Meghan McGuire, and Chelsea Spraker met
students from diverse disciplines around the country, all of whom came together
to share their original research. Assistant Professor Karl Rogers accompanied
the Brockport students and moderated several panels throughout the
conference. Bernat describes how she felt the import of dance scholarship in a
setting showcasing research spanning from Chemistry to International Studies, “I
felt so lucky to be a part of something so huge, and the chance to present my
research there was equally as rewarding. It opened my eyes to see who else
outside of Brockport is interested in dance history and scholarship and where
their interests lie.”

Back on campus, students presented their own choreography in
DANCE/Hartwell, taking place on a traditional proscenium stage with theatrical
lighting, and DANCE/Strasser, which occurs in a spacious studio outfitted with
lighting equipment where audience members can view the performers from any
of three sides. The student works, accepted to the concerts through a process of
faculty feedback and an audition of the finished piece, showcase dancers and
choreographers from freshmen to graduate students, and continually draw full
houses from the college and surrounding community. Brockport definitely shows
not only that its dancers can do it all, but that they can do it all well!

Hannah Seidel, MFA Candidate
The College at Brockport
hseid1@brockport.edu