Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Mireille Fehler Wins 2013 National NDEO Award

Mireille Fehler

Mireille Fehler was selected as the 2013 Winner in the NDEO (National Dance Education Organization) NHSDA Artistic Merit, Leadership and Academic Achievement Award.

Photo by Madeline Knight, FAC Photography Student of Rod Fincannon

There were only two selected at the national level.  She was invited to the National NDEO Conference in Miami, Florida to be recognized and to perform the solo she choreographed for the award.


The Fine Arts Center has had several NDEO Award winners since establishing a chapter of the NHSDA (National Honor Society for Dance Arts).

2013  Award Winner - Mireille, Fehler 
2012  Award Finalist - Jacqueline Calle 
2011 Award Finalist - Samantha Patterson 
2009 Award Honorable Mention - Lauren Miller
2008 Award Finalish - Amanda Porter






Saturday, October 26, 2013

Tim Glenn, FSU Associate Professor of Dance Teaches Master Classes

Tim Glenn


Tim Glenn, Associate Professor of Dance at Florida State University, was artist-in-residence at the Fine Arts Center October 10-11 giving master classes in the Nikolais technique—Mr. Glenn was a former member of the Nikolais Dance Theatre.  A professional development workshop was presented to art, theatre, dance, and physical education teachers in Greenville County Schools on Thursday evening. Mr. Glenn has also worked as videographer for the Paul Taylor Dance Company's Repertory Preservation Project and has documented 27 masterworks by the renowned choreographer, Paul Taylor. 









Madeline Jazz Harvey Sets Choreographic Work



Madeline Jazz Harvey


Guest Choreographer at the Fine Arts Center, Madeline Jazz Harvey, set a new work, titled Song, on the morning dancers over a period of five days.  Ms. Harvey is currently a dancer with CBT (Carolina Ballet Theatre), having performed with the North Carolina Dance Theatre before coming to Greenville.

Matt Harvey, CBT dancer, helps Madeline demonstrate during rehearsal

Her choreographer’s statement about her work:  “I wanted to create a work that would challenge the dancers' technique and artistry.  ”Song" uses my personal movement style to construct a collage of signature dance elements from both ballet and modern forms. Woven through the choreography are team building exercises which I hope will help the dancers grow both individually and as an ensemble.”











Saturday, October 19, 2013

Master Class with Diavolo Dance Theater

The FAC Dancers traveled to the Peace Center for the Performing Arts for a master class with three members of the Diavalo Dance Theater on September 23rd and saw the performance of the company the following evening.  The Diavolo Dance Theater is directed by Jacques Heim and is an internationally renowned dance company whose members have backgrounds not only in dance, but also gymnastics, and other athletic endeavors.  

FAC Dancers, Mireille Fehler and Sydney Parker, were interviewed by WYFF and appeared on the evening news along with video coverage of some of the master class.  To see the segment that aired on WYFF, go to the link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSM1hA8awYkWYFF story about Diavolo and FAC Master Class
















For more information about Diavolo go to their website  http://www.diavolo.org/





Friday, September 20, 2013

FAC Dancer’s Summer 2013 DANCE INTENSIVES & EXPERIENCES



Dancers took advantage of many diverse opportunities to train this summer.  

Junior, Lauren Hurley attended the prestigious ABT (American Ballet Theater) Summer Intensive in New York City for 5 weeks.  She stayed an extra week to see two performances: ABT’s Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty at the Metropolitan Opera House in Lincoln Center.

Lauren Hurley and her mother at Lincoln Center

Kaitlyn Schultz, a senior, attended the Florida State University’s School of Dance Summer Dance Intensive for two weeks and studied with Tim Glenn, who was our guest choreographer last year.  Mr. Glenn will be a guest artist teaching two days of master classes this October.


Kaitlyn Schultz and Tim Glenn at FSU
Carley Tomlinson, a senior, attended the USC-Summer Dance Conservatory in Columbia, SC July 7-July 26.

Kathy Gale, a senior, attended Oklahoma City University’s summer musical theatre program for ten days and Sydney Parker, a junior, attended the NYC Joffrey Jazz and Contemporary Summer Intensive for one week.

Freshmen dancers attended summer dance intensives

Peyton Lemen, a freshman, attended the Houston Ballet's Summer Intensive program for 6 weeks studying with Lauren Anderson, Barbara Bears, Claudio Munoz among others.  She danced six days a week focusing on ballet technique, learning classical variations and repertory, and taking supplementary classes such as modern, jazz, character dance, and musical theater.

Peyton Lemen
Kiersten Rist, a freshman, attended the 5 week advanced ballet intensive at the Atlanta Ballet Summer Intensive in Atlanta, which had daily classes in ballet, pointe and modern technique as well as musical theatre and hip hop.

Kiersten Rist at Atlanta Ballet Summer Intensive
Freshmen dancers Lucy Quattlebaum and Ellen Kilby, attended the ABT (American Ballet Theater) Summer Intensive in Winston-Salem at UNCSA (University of North Carolina School of the Arts) for four weeks.

Johanna Butow and Lucy Quattlebaum
Samuel Painter, a freshman, participated in Carolina Ballet Theatre’s Summerworks for 3 weeks in Greenville.

Samuel Painter at CBT Summerworks

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Fine Arts Center Dance Ensemble Graduating Seniors 2013

Elizabeth Byouk was accepted into Coastal Carolina University, Winthrop University, and the College of Charleston.  Elizabeth performed in musical theatre productions in Greenville and Spartanburg performing in such roles as Penny in Hairspray and Hunyak in Chicago.  She recently choreographed the musical A Midsummer Night’s Dream: A Farce at Greer Children’s Theatre. She attended the FAC for three years and plans on pursuing musical theatre in college.   She is currently attending Winthrop University.


Jacqueline Calle was accepted into Florida State University and the State University of New York (SUNY at Purchase).  She was also accepted into North Carolina Dance Theater's 5- week summer intensive with a scholarship and was offered a position as a Trainee with the North Carolina Dance Theater for the upcoming 2013-2014 year. Jacqueline attended the FAC for four years and was the Vice President of the FAC Chapter of the NHSDA.  During her junior year she was selected an NDEO (National Dance Education Organization) National Finalist (one of the top five in the nation) and a Junior Marshall for the FAC graduating class of 2012. She was also an American Dance Festival (ADF) Scholarship Recipient for 2012, a 6-week summer program at Duke University. While at ADF she was offered a professional company position with the Charlottesville Ballet in Virginia. She also danced with Carolina Ballet Theatre (CBT) and performed in many of their productions.

Jacqueline received the Sheffield Wood Scholarship, which is the highest honor presented to a Fine Arts Center graduating senior.  She is currently attending the State University of New York at Purchase in their Dance Conservatory program.




Rhiannon Laymon was accepted into the dance programs at California Institute for the Arts, University of the Arts, Florida State University, and the University of South Carolina.  Rhiannon attended the FAC for four years and was the President of NHSDA. She attended the summer dance intensive at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia last summer.  Rhiannon models professionally and has signed with Monarch Talent Agency in Charlotte, NC for acting and modeling and has appeared in advertisements for Hammrick’s and Universal and Premier Yarn.  She also danced with Dancer’s Corner after school and was very active in student government at Eastside High School.
She is currently attending the University of the Arts in Philadelphia as a dance major.

photo by Ashley Amber

Nikki Morath was accepted into the college dance programs at Florida State University and Point Park University and last summer attended the one-week Joffrey Ballet School’s Jazz and Contemporary summer intensive in New York City.  She completed two years at the FAC, actively performing with the Fine Arts Center Dance Ensemble. Nikki also placed as regional winner in the PTA Reflections contest in Choreography.  She danced with Dancer’s Corner after school and was active in the Beta Club and National Honor Society at Riverside High School.
She is currently attending Point Park University as a Dance Major.

photo by Ashley Amber



Kara Nightingale completed her fourth year at the FAC and was accepted into the dance programs at Point Park University and University of South Carolina.  She was a member of the Fine Arts Center Chapter of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts and also the National Honor Society at Wade Hampton High School, her home high school. She danced after school with Dancer’s Corner and has choreographed for local dance studios.  She is currently attending the College of Charleston.


Mattison Williams completed three years at the Fine Arts Center and was Valedictorian at Greer Middle College High School.  She was accepted into the Nursing Program at Clemson University, where she is currently studying.  Mattison volunteered extensively with the ARMES Dance Program and for the past two years she designed the lighting and ran the ARMES Dance Concerts.  She hopes to be involved in theatre productions at Clemson University using some of her training in dance/choreography and the theatre technical skills she learned studying with Dirk Holleman.  She was a member of the Fine Arts Center Chapter of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts and also the National Honor Society and Beta Club at her home high school.

Hannah Winton was accepted into the dance programs at Florida State University, Point Park University, and University of Georgia.  She was Valedictorian at Greenville Technical Charter High School.  Last summer she attended the Joffrey Ballet School’s Jazz and Contemporary two-week summer intensive in Miami.  She was Treasurer of the Fine Arts Center Chapter of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts and was also a member of the National Honor Society and Beta Club at her home high school.  Hannah completed four years at the FAC and she also studied dance at Dancer’s Corner.


She is currently attending USC in Columbia and planning a career in chemical engineering.






Wednesday, June 19, 2013

The Fine Arts Center Dance Concert, April 26, 2013




"Last Dance" choreographed by Tyler Gilstrap-dancer  Jacqueline Calle;   photo: Ashley Amber

"Chaconne" choreographed by Tim Glenn; photo:  Ashley Amber

"Chaconne" choreographed by Tim Glenn, dancer-Rhiannon Laymon;
 photo: Ashley Amber
"Isomorphous" by
Rebecca Lee, dancer-Nikki
Morath; photo: Ashley Amber

"Nothing Escapes the Wandering Eye" by Jacqueline Calle, dancer-Nikki Morath;
Photo:  Ashley Amber

"Nothing Escapes the Wandering Eye" by Jacqueline Calle, dancer-Nikki Morath;
Photo:  Ashley Amber



Sunday, April 28, 2013

FAC National Honor Society for Dance Arts Induction Ceremony

Mireille Fehler-Secretary, Hannah Winton-Treasurer, Jacqueline Calle-Vice President,
Rhiannon Laymon-President presenting Certificates and Awards
Pre-Concert for the FAC Dance Concert on April 26th four new members were inducted into the FAC Chapter of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA). 

The four new members: Nikki Morath, Lauren Hurley, Sydney Parker, Rachel Spitzmiller.






Hannah Winton is dressed for her Senior Prom, which was the same evening as the FAC Concert.  She came from Prom activities for Induction and Concert and then continued with her Prom!


Current members of NHSDA are:  Jacqueline Calle*****+, Caitlin Drummond*, Mireille Fehler*****, Rhiannon Laymon ***, Nikki Morath, Kara Nightingale, Kendall Roberson *, Carley Tomlinson, Mattison Williams ***, and Hannah Winton***.

+Jacqueline Calle was one of two Finalists in the 2012 NDEO (National Dance Education Organization) Artistic Merit, Leadership, and Academic Achievement Award, placing her in the top four in the nation.

*denotes the number of Stars earned--each Star places members at the next level

New Members and Dancers Receiving Star Awards

Carley Tomlinson--1st Star, Kendall Roberson--2nd Star, 
Kaitlyn Schultz--3rd Star and Mattison Williams-4th Star Award

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Dance Concert April 26, 2013



The Fine Arts Center Dance Concert performance is Friday, April 26th at 7:00 PM in the Wade Hampton High School Theatre--the building adjacent to the Fine Arts Center.

The repertory includes choreography by Tim Glenn (Associate Professor in the School of Dance at Florida State University and a former dancer with the Nikolais/Louis Dance Company), Tyler Gilstrap (founding member of Battleworks Dance Company and featured dancer in such films as Across the Universe, directed by Julie Taymor), Sara Procopio (founding member and former Artistic Associate of Shen Wei Dance Arts),  Rebecca Lee (Wildwood Ballet, alumna of the Fine Arts Center and Director of the ARMES Dance Program), and Andrew Kuharsky (Les Grands Ballets Canadiens and Director of the Greenville Ballet).

The concert has a wide variety of dances and should run between 1 1/4 and 1 1/2 hours.

Saturday, April 20, 2013

"Crash Rhythm" choreographed by Tyler Gilstrap to be performed in FAC Dance Concert April 26th

  Olivia Hopkins in the air  with dancers Kathy Gale, Addison Kreisher, and Megan Hannon
"Crash Rhythm" was re-staged on the AM dancers in January and is a very high energy dance piece. Tyler Gilstrap earned her B.F.A. in Dance from Southern Methodist University and performed "Midsummer Marriage" with the Bavarian State Opera in Munich, Germany after graduation.  Ms. Gilstrap has been a featured dancer in such films as "Across the Universe," directed by Julie Taymor, and "The Wackness," directed by Jonathan Levine.  She was also the assistant choreographer for the film, "Love and Other Drugs".  Ms. Gilstrap has taught hip-hop and modern/contemporary dance in Germany, Hungary, Italy and throughout the United States.  She was a founding member of Battleworks Dance Company, under the direction of Robert Battle, who is currently the Artistic Director of The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.  She has also danced with Morales Dance, Patrick Corbin, and the Amy Marshall Dance Company.

"Crash Rhythm" choreographed by Tyler Gilstrap

Friday, April 19, 2013

“Chaconne” choreographed by Tim Glenn to be performed in FAC Dance Concert April 26th

Rhiannon Laymon and Nikki Morath in "Chaconne"

"Chaconne" choreographed by Tim Glenn, Associate Professor of Dance at Florida State University and former member of the Nikolais/Louis Dance Company is one of the dances that will be performed in the FAC Dance Concert on April 26th.  According to Mr. Glenn, the dance, "Chaconne" is a pure movement work based on the musical form, which includes variations on a repeated musical structure of "Symphony for Eight" by Phillip Glass.


Kendall Roberson, Jacqueline Calle and Kaitlyn Schultz


 Caitlin Drummond, Carley Tomlinson, Hannah Winton and Mireille Fehler








Thursday, April 18, 2013

Costumes created by Dance Alumna Parent and Current Visual Art Student

Meade Inglis and Teri Goddard
Teri Goddard, a costume designer, designed and created the costumes for "Chaconne", choreographed by guest artist Tim Glenn.  Assisting Ms. Goddard is Meade Inglis, a current Visual Art student at the Fine Arts Center.  Teri Goddard created costumes in the past for such dance pieces as "Mud", choreographed by guest artist Lisa Wheeler, when her daughter FAC dance alumna, Danielle Goddard, attended the Fine Arts Center.

Early stages of the costume design