Samantha Patterson, a junior in Dance III, was a state winner in SC for the prestigious National Dance Education Organization (NDEO) Artistic Merit, Leadership, and Academic Achievement Award and earned high enough marks to be considered at the national level.

Samantha placed as a Finalist at the national level, which means that she is one of the top five in the nation to receive the award, one of the highest dance honors program in the US. Her solo, titled “Crutch” is on their website. For more information and to view her solo go to: www.ndeo.org

Gerri Houlihan, Professor of Dance at Florida State University and Interim Dean at the American Dance Festival, restaged her dance “Mercy” on the dancers in October. The dance was performed throughout the year and closed the concert on May 6th. The uplifting and fun dance is choreographed to music by Roy Orbison.

Joan Wadopian (dancer with Shen Wei Dance Arts) choreographed “Spatial 9” to music composed and performed by Free Planet Radio. The choreographic work was a collaboration between the choreographer and the dancers. The music was a little more challenging using counts in 4, 9 and 12. A grant from the Metropolitan Arts Council helped pay for the two-week residency to set the new work. We were fortunate that she was able to join us in the audience and on the stage for the May 6th concert.

Gerri Houlihan restaged her dance Mercy. Hebrides was choreographed for the dancers last year by Brian McGinnis and was performed again, but this time on a proscenium stage. Rebecca Lee choreographed Poppets and was invited onto the stage for bows.

Student pieces of choreography

FAC Dancers performed works by Rebecca Lee and Brian McGinnis in the FAC Dance Concert.