New Dance Space Construction has Begun in the RB!

It has begun! A new, large dance room is under way for students and faculty to spread out and enjoy for this coming Fall Semester!

Department of Dance Chair, Professor Curt Holman has shot this brief video footage showing the beginning of the reconstruction in the RB upstairs. The ballet faculty offices (formerly known as the F wing, next to RB – 285) have already been demolished!

This video begins at the doors to RB -185 (no shoes allowed on the floor!) and pans left across what used to be the bulletin board, then to the hallway leading to Shani Robison’s and Shayla Bott’s offices and all down that corridor. To the left of those offices is what used to be the public relations office, with all the news articles on the walls and the display case with all the professional faculty photos. To the left of that, also demolished, is the dancer’s lounge which used to have a printer and the plaid wing-back chairs.

This whole space will now be another HUGE dance room where movement can take place in classes where you need to get up, spin, jump — and now — social distance a bit! ; )

The department is so excited for this room to come to fruition. We all look forward to seeing your faces soon and enjoying this space! In the meantime, check for these videos periodically so you can see the forthcoming progress! Curt gets better with his iPhone camera work every semester as he documents the amazing upgrade projects to the dance facilities, theatre foyer, dressing rooms, and more for BYU Dance! 😉

BYU Assistant Professor of Dance Rachel Barker Releases Dance Film Trailer

Assistant Professor of Dance Rachel Barker couldn’t wait any longer to premiere the release of her new dance film, Sedimented Here. So she created a pre-release trailer — just a sample of the dancing and depth — to show off her students and the amazing cinematography in her project!

In her own words:

“Sedimented Here is a dance film shot in Moab, Utah, which explores relationship between the moving body and outdoor environment, asking, “What movement belongs here?”

“The three BYU student dancers — McCall McClellan, Abby Trinca and Jared McClure (now graduated) — immerse themselves in the red rock, water and sand as the perspective shifts from intimate close-ups to grandiose panoramas, bringing the viewer into this visceral desert world.”

“I am so grateful ❤️ to the incredible crew that made this thing what it is: @gazellengram DP and Editor, @waltmirkss drone and 2nd cam, @mccall.mcc@abbyraytrinca Jared McClure —performers and choreographic collaborators, @scott_cook789 producer and trailer edit, @soundformovement and Troy Sales— sound design, @brookedurow colorist, @harrisontrinca production assistant and still photographer.

“And of course, thank you so very much to @byucfac @byudance @byucontemporarydance for the funding and support, also without which, this film would not exist! This crew is just the best. Enjoy!” ~ Rachel Barker

The trailer is just a snippet of what’s to come. Barker hopes to premiere the entire video in an event this Fall Semester on BYU campus.

Additional Video Credits:

Music: “Cello suite no. 1: Prelude” by J.S. Bach, performed by @estellerevaz

Director: Rachel Barker

Director of Photography/Editor: Ellen Maynard

Performers: McCall McClellan, Jared McClure, Abby Trinca

Sound Design: Troy Sales and Michael Wall

Colorist: Brooke Durrow

Producer: Scott Cook

Production Assistant: Harrison Trinca

Read more about the creation of Sedimented Here in this article by Morgan Reis on August 19, 2019, from the BYU College of Fine Arts and Communications.

L-R – Dancers Abby Roushe, Rachel Barker, McCall McClellan and Jared McClure. Photo courtesy of Rachel Barker.

Karen Jensen’s Dance Video Class Projects are Epic!

Check out the BYU Dance YouTube Channel here, and find these projects under Student Works (published in the last month)!

Contemporary Dance adjunt faculty Karen Jensen is proud of the students in her Winter 2020 Dance and Film class — and for good reason. They’ve expanded their creativity beyond their usual dance genre and plunged into the ultra-competitive world of film making. All this was during the pandemic upheaval that started mid-term in March.

“As you know, winter semester had such an unusual finish,” Jensen said. “Rather than working in groups for the final project, the majority of the students did their final film on their own. They came up with FABULOUS films.” 

“My dance and film students did a wonderful collaboration with dancEnsemble this semester,” said Jensen. “But, of course, the concert was cancelled due to COVID-19. In the process, 12+ videos were made that were supposed to screen throughout the concert.”

Some of those dance videos from the class have been posted around various social media platforms. Two are premiering Friday, May 23, 2020, on the BYU Dance YouTube channel, so you can see the students’ solo work here (under Student Works, published in the last month and on Friday, May 22, 2020). 

Jensen is excited for her students’ creativity to reach a larger audience. “These students are so great and talented!” she said.

Photos:

BYU student Issac Moras, with his claymation film, “Experdanza!” BYU student Brynn Foote creating her film, ““Less Than Lonely: A Teddy Bear Ballet,” which was featured in the Salt Lake Tribune’s Quarantine Film Festival in an article here!

New Summer Term 2020 Online Dance Classes

New BYU Dance Online Classes:

Dance 351 ~ Section 001 ~ Laban Movement Analysis 

  • Instructors: Kate Monson & Marin Roper
  • MTWTh
  • 8:00 – 9:20 a.m.
  • 2 credits ~ online ~ Summer Term 2020
  • *Enrollment must be approved by instructors and faculty advisor

Dance 500 R ~ Section 001: Workshop in Dance

  • Instructors: Nathan Balser & Adam Dyer
  • MTWTh
  • 10 – 10:50 a.m.
  • 1 credit ~ online ~ Summer Term 2020
  • *Highly recommended for fitness, embodiment and readiness for auditions and movement courses.
  • May count towards Dance BA technique credit requirements per faculty advisor approval.

Dance 500 R ~ Section 002: Workshop in Dance: Methods of Teaching Contemporary Dance

  • Instructors: Kori Wakamatsu & Rachel Barker
  • MWF
  • 11:00 a.m. – 12:50 p.m.
  • Variable Credit:
    • 1.0 credit ~ online only Summer Term 2020    
    • 2.0 credits ~ online Summer Term AND Fall 2020 lab hours


Dance 500 R ~ Section 003: Workshop in Ballet

  • Instructor: Ryan Hatch
  • MTWThF
  • 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
  • *Highly recommended for fitness, embodiment and readiness for auditions and movement courses.
  • May count towards technique credit requirements per faculty advisor approval.

Contact dance@byu.edu or your faculty advisor for more information.

Congratulations to all the BYU Dance Graduating Seniors! Class of 2020!

YouTube Video of BYU Dance Class of 2020 Students

December 2019

  • Taylor Moani Buck, BA in Dance
  • Mackenzie Lee Cruz, BA in Dance
  • Megan Suzanne Kitchen, BA in Dance
  • Carli Treu Ralph, BA in Dance Education
  • Brayden Lynn Singley, BA in Dance

April 2020

  • James Adamson, BFA in Dance
  • Lindsey Christensen, BA in Dance Education
  • Roman Gabriel Curiel, BA in Dance
  • Autumn Dawn Hawkes, BA in Dance
  • Bronté Elizabeth Hopkins, BA in Dance Education
  • Aubrie Joy Hutchings, BA in Dance
  • Lauren Lacie James, BA in Dance
  • Rebekah Sandstrom McConkie, BA in Dance
  • Kiersten Robertson, BA in Dance
  • Eliza Hoffman Robinson, BA in Dance
  • Kathryn Arnett Rogers, BA in Dance
  • Mckenzie Rucker, BA in Dance
  • Natalie Van Wagoner, BA in Dance
  • Skylar Moore Wardle, BA in Dance
  • Jennifer Anna Zackrison, BA in Dance Education

June 2020

  • Brenna Bartholomew, BA in Dance
  • Diana Birgitta Elisabeth Brewster, BA in Dance
  • Hanna Ashton Brockbank, BA in Dance
  • Katia George, BA in Dance
  • Veronica Lee Harvey, BFA in Dance
  • Kaila Rachelle Bradley Podzikowski, BA in Dance

August 2020

  • Kira Brooke van Dyk, BA in Dance
  • Fallon Michelle Fristoe, BA in Dance
  • Lesley Laura Gee, BA in Dance
  • Lauren Justine Halversen, BFA in Dance
  • Ryan Michael Hatch, BFA in Dance
  • Sarah Kay McClure, BA in Dance
  • Kyra Michelle Morgan, BFA in Dance
  • Caitlin Elizabeth Shill, BFA in Dance

Check out the video montage of Class of 2020 BYU Dance Graduates!

New Advanced Writing Class to Focus on Dance!

Dance 317: Advanced Writing for Dance – MWF, 8:00-8:50 a.m.

**This course fulfills the Advanced Writing and Oral Communication GE requirement** Co-taught by Shelli Spotts (English) and Marin Roper (Dance). 

Unless dancers can write and speak effectively about what it is we do, our best efforts to ‘move’ the world often fall flat.  The goal of Dance 317: Advanced Writing for Dance, is to prepare dance majors with specific writing skills needed in your work as artists, educators, scholars and advocates out in the world.  This class focuses on similarities between the creative processes used in writing and dancing to help you become more articulate and embodied writers and dancers.  Units such as Dance Criticism, Dance Research, Dance Advocacy and Technical Writing for Dance will equip students with the tools to get funded, to get published, to get hired and to create change in the world. 

Paired with the new Dance 317: Advanced Writing for Dance course, the Department of Dance is also excited to reinstate the annual “Writers’ Symposium” in Winter 2021.  The Writers’ Symposium is a department event that recognizes, celebrates and rewards excellent student writing.  The Writers’ Symposium will be directed by Professor Amy Jex. 

Questions?  Contact <marin_roper@byu.edu> with questions. 

Thank you, BYU Dance DMSRs ~ Dance Major Student Reps ~ 2019-20

  • Sasha Chopelas, 2019-20 President
  • Ryan Hatch, 2019-20 Secretary
  • Ryan Hatch with Theatre Ballet

2019-2020 DMSR Officers

President – Sasha Chopelas

VP & Dance Ed – Tera Taylor Egbert

Secretary – Ryan Hatch

BA Rep – Lauren James

Ballroom Rep – Saidi Cordon

Contemporary Rep- Victoria Raimondi

World Rep- Natalie Van Wagoner

Student Dance Education Organization (SDEO) Rep – Mac Braithwaite

The BYU Dance Majors are a tight group around the RB! These student leaders above have served for a full year as DMSRs, doing various projects from planning activities and organizing events to designing and ordering group T-shirts and swag!

“The DMSRs provide an important service to the dance majors and to the department,” said Associate Professor of Dance Shani Robison, who is faculty advisor over the student leaders and new dance majors.  “They help with dance major meetings, preview day, student orientations, major fairs, and more. They set up socials and serve the dance majors in any way that they can.”

“I am so blessed to have made life-long friends that have changed my life,” said Ryan Hatch, class of 2020, BFA in Dance and DSMR secretary this past year. “My time on BYU Theatre Ballet has shaped me into the person that I am! I am so grateful for the amazing directors Shayla Bott, Ashley Ivory Parov, Hilary Wolfley and all of the other amazing faculty I have worked with!

“The DMSRs are excellent students, strong contributors and an invaluable part of the Department of Dance,” Robison said.  “I thoroughly enjoy working with them and know that as they graduate they will provide great leadership and service to the dance field for many years to come! Thank you for all of your work and congratulations to the graduates this year!”

Tribute Dance Video, Vanish, Honors BYU Class of 2020

BYU Contemporary Dance Theatre (CDT) dances to Vanish, a piece exploring isolation, loneliness, support, friendship, togetherness and hope.

Visiting from NYC, choreographer Jesse Ombreski created the piece as a spiritual journey for all involved. It was shot and edited by Scott Cook Films. BYU Assistant Professor of Dance Keely Song, who is also Artistic Director of CDT, produced the film.

BYU graduating seniors from the Class of 2020 share their thoughts about Vanish, working with Jesse and dancing at BYU.

In their own words:

Bronte Hopkins
Bronte Hopkins

Bronte Hopkins, Dance Education Major, Class of 2020 ~ It was such a wonderful experience working with Jesse Obremski, as he is a talented choreographer and such a generous human being. It felt like a journey. “It’s all about the humanity,” is what Jesse would often remind us throughout the entire process working with him. Read More…

2001-29 0144 2001-29 Contemporary Dance January 15, 2020 Photography by Nate Edwards/BYU © BYU PHOTO 2019 All Rights Reserved photo@byu.edu (801)422-7322

Jenni Zackrison Humphrey ~ Class of 2020, Dance Education Major ~ I feel like this piece and our dance community in general is all about supporting one another. In this dance, we focused on supporting Ben but it works the same way for anyone and everyone else. It was a special experience to be a part of this dance as part of my final performance at BYU. Read more…

BYU Contemporary Dance Theatre, 2019-2020

Vanessa Redden, Dance Minor, CDT President, Class of 2020 ~ The creative process with Jesse Obremski was a memorable and unique experience. I’ve never worked with someone who puts so much heart into their work and also creates a space of individual self-discovery for his dancers. Read more…

2001-29 0388 2001-29 Contemporary Dance January 15, 2020 Photography by Nate Edwards/BYU © BYU PHOTO 2019 All Rights Reserved photo@byu.edu (801)422-7322

Taft M. Robinson, Class of 2020, MDT Major ~ I was humbled and inspired after working with Jesse [Obremski]. Seeing and experiencing the collaborative process between his vision and us dancers was a real treat. The movement in Vanish explored the intricate experiences of connection among people; loneliness, a warm embrace, peaceful solace, seeking others, and community. Read more…

Keely Song Glenn, Artistic Director, CDT

Keely Song, BYU Assistant Professor of Dance, CDT Artistic Director, Vanish Producer ~ This week we celebrate the flight of seniors and reflect back on those who have impacted our lives for good. As a tribute to the vitality of human connection and a hope for the day when we can one day physically connect to each other again, we are releasing Vanish, a screendance choreographed by Jesse Obremski and filmed by Scott Cook with music by Jarom Hanson. Performed by the CDT company, Vanish reminds us of our humanity and the power of lifting others on this journey called life. Congratulations to the class of 2020. Read more…

Keely Song, BYU Assistant Professor of Dance, CDT Artistic Director, on Vanish

Keely Song

In Her Own Words:

Today my little boys released the butterflies that they have been observing and nurturing since the caterpillars first arrived at our doorstep in a small jar. The temperature warmed up to 60 degrees and as their wings were exposed fully in the sunlight, I could sense the energy within their stillness. They were about to take flight. 

This Friday marks what would have been the convocation & commencement at BYU. We would have basked in the sunlight and accomplishments of the students in their caps and gowns as they prepared to fly. However, that has all vanished and we are left with only the imagination of what might have been. We are left in a stasis of stillness remembering warm embraces, genuine greetings, and welcoming smiles. 

Reflecting back on my first year overseeing the responsibilities of the BYU Contemporary Dance Theatre, I feel blessed the company members were able share experiences and memories well before this day of isolated graduation. However, like many performance groups, there were opportunities and performances left undone leaving the company in a state of unfinished closure. 

Like a butterfly, dance is an art form that is evanescent. It leaves only the memories of invisible traces that permeates the air and the pathways on the ground. Because the physicality transforms into ephemerality, dance pushes us to fully live in the present. It begs us to live in the present, and perhaps it is that begging that drives us to seek human connection and share that with others. How grateful I am then, to have witnessed these connections transpire over the course of the year through the daily grind of rehearsals and performances. 

This week we celebrate the flight of seniors and reflect back on those who have impacted our lives for good. As a tribute to the vitality of human connection and a hope for the day when we can one day physically connect to each other again, we are releasing “Vanish”, a screendance choreographed by Jesse Obremski and filmed by Scott Cook with music by Jarom Hanson. Performed by the CDT company, “Vanish” reminds us of our humanity and the power of lifting others on this journey called life. Congratulations to the class of 2020.

~ Keely Song

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