Students receive scholarships to American Dance Festival summer instruction
Update as of 3/31/20 - we have received word that this summer program has been cancelled for 2020. We continue to honor our outstanding students who were recognized with leadership awards!
Five Fredonia students majoring in Dance or Acting have been awarded Leadership Scholarships to attend the American Dance Festival’s (ADF) Summer Dance Intensive program in Durham, N.C.
They include: Aja Pandey, a senior Dance major, with a minor in Theatre Arts, from Shrewsbury, Mass.; Virginia Raffaele, a junior majoring in Dance and Theatre Arts, Pittsfield, N.Y.; Mikayla Johnson, junior, majoring in Dance, with minors in Mathematics and Dance Studio Administration, Lakewood, N.Y.; Tiffani Robinson, a junior majoring in Dance and Psychology, with a minor in Theatre Arts, from Fairport; and Justin Autz, a senior majoring in Acting and Communication: Media Management, from East Northport.
Students, particularly those enrolled in the B.F.A. dance program, who were awarded scholarships demonstrate and exemplify the “personal integrity, fostering collaboration and community and embodying inclusive practices” required by ADF in their daily work in the dance program, said Department of Theatre and Dance Assistant Professor Paula Peters.
They are constantly working towards fostering an environment in the dance program that is safer, more inclusive, more rigorous and more inquisitive, Ms. Peters explained, and are focused on the right things in the community.
Leadership as well as the embodiment of one of the following areas of dance practice –performance/technical skill, improvisation, choreography/creative practice, dance scholarship/research and community building through dance – are criteria used to evaluate scholarship candidates.
Students design their own curriculum during the five-week program, choosing from among core classes in contemporary movement, African dance, ballet, creative practices, hip-hop, improvisation and repertory. Student performing opportunities as well as drop-in classes, showings, discussions and evening performances by international artists are also offered.
“I could not be prouder of the work they are doing, particularly during this time. They continue to use remote communication, and technology to keep a sense of cohesion among their peers in the dance program,” Peters said. “They exemplify the spirit of Fredonia.”
Summer Dance Intensive attracts dancers from throughout the country and around the world.
