Wednesday, April 29, 2009
















Dance student choreographers Maggie Base, Ashley Becking, Lauren Miller and Amanda Porter presented their choreographic pieces in Generation-to-Generation on April 23rd. The choreographic works, duets and small group dances created by the Dance III Honors students, will be performed in the final dance concert on May 8th at 7:00 pm in the Black Box Theatre at the Fine Arts Center. Dances choreographed by guest artists Brian McGinnis and Anna Jordan will also be performed along with former guest choreographer, Lisa Wheeler.

Brian McGinnis, who has been a guest artist for three years, graduated from Juilliard and danced with the David Parsons Dance Company and currently with the Lar Lubovitch Dance Company, both dance companies are based in New York City. His piece "Sirens and the Undercurrent" will be performed by both dance classes with a cast of 24 dancers.

Guest artist, Anna Jordan, set an original piece of choreography "Drawn Onward" on the morning dance students. Ms. Jordan attended Idyllwild Arts Academy in high school and received her BFA in dance from New York University. Most of the funds for her dance residency were raised through bake sales by the dancers.

Lisa Wheeler, who was a guest artist for several years, choreographed the dance “Drifting” which we have reconstructed for the performance in the Black Box Theatre. Ms. Wheeler danced with Dan Wagoner and Dancers and is a distinguished alumna from Columbia College.



The FAC dancers held an NHSDA Induction ceremony for the newest members into the National Honor Society for Dance Arts: Gianni Monteleon, Brooke Poole and Katelyn Scherer. Ashley Brown earned 1 star, Lauren Miller earned 2 stars, Maggie Base earned 3 stars and Amanda Porter earned 4 stars. Students must earn 30 points in dance related events to become members and may earn a star for each additional 10 points.

Lauren Miller (Dance) has won the prestigious honor of the SCDEO (South Carolina Dance Education Organization) Artistic Merit, Leadership, and Academic Achievement Award at the state level. Her application will now go on to the national level for the NDEO Award. Amanda Porter received the state honor last year. Dancers who are members of NHSDA and are a junior or senior may apply for the award. Information is handed out to students at the beginning of the year so that they can make plans to apply for the award.