Chair's Letter

Welcome to the Universe of Dance in its Most Dynamic and Interdisciplinary Way!

This is the place where you will find what you were looking for. This is the place where your artistic goals become reality. This is the place where you will find support, attention, knowledge and fulfillment. This is the place where artistry and technical sophistication coexist in every class, in every performance, in every interaction. This is the place where you will experience world-class training and vision. This is the universe of UWM Dance. Welcome!

This year, the Department of Dance begins its 48th year of existence and with it you will find top ranked professionals engaged in each student's individual goals and aspirations. Our faculty commitment to each student's uniqueness is displayed in the pluralistic nature of our programs' structures. Our BA, BFA, and MFA degree programs, as well as the EC-A teacher certification are designed to prepare our students for a multitude of careers in the field of dance. In addition, we offer a BFA in Musical Theatre, a BFA in Performance and Choreography/Africa and the Diaspora, a Minor in Somatics and an Interdisciplinary Arts Technology BFA.

Training UWM dance artists is a faculty that is one of the most professionally skilled and diverse in the school or any school that I have ever come across. Prepare to be impressed! In addition to the remarkable faculty, the Terpsichorean People (our student organization, named after the Greek muse of dance), promote the activities of the Department and advocate for resources from student government. Their activities enhance the student experience here by providing support for production activities, travel opportunities, and guest artist fees. Student representatives sit on the Black and Gold Commission, meeting regularly with the Dean and faculty to determine the future of the Peck School of the Arts.

Our production season this year explores the concepts of Fate & Destiny. With this theme in mind, our undergraduate students will present their capstone works in December at the occasion of our New Dancemakers: Iconoclasts concert. At the Winterdances: Fate/Love & Loss concert in February 2012, the Department will feature two American masterpieces as well as dance faculty new works. The first featured is the reconstruction of Arnie Zane's "The Gift/No God Logic," made possible by the National Endowment for the Arts as part of the American Masterpieces: Three Centuries of Artistic Genius grant. The second is the reconstruction of "Gotta Go" by our dear friend and former department chair, the late Ed Burgess. In June, Summerdances: Destiny/Chance & Circumstance will feature a world premiere from our third New Work Award winner, MFA alumna Colleen Thomas, as well as new faculty works. In July 2012, our program will feature thesis and new works from our MFA students.

The 2011-2012 academic year brings us artists from all over the world. We are proud to welcome Malaku Belaye/Fendika, Mauro Candia, Beth Corning, Heidi Latsky, Deborah Lohse, Colleen Thomas, and Raphael Xavier. In addition, our students will have the opportunity to work and interact with company members from the Stephen Petronio Dance Company, David Zambrano Dance Company and with staff members from the Milwaukee Ballet. The Department will also partner with the Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra, Milwaukee Opera Theatre, Danceworks Performance Company, Alverno Presents, Your Mother Dances, as well as our company-in-residence Ko-Thi Dance Company. 

Complementing this internationally known group of professionals, our department welcomes the residencies of two visiting professors -- Christina Briggs Winslow and Gerald Casel -- joining us for this academic year.

From coast to coast the achievements of our alumni continue to show fingerprints of the work we develop at UWM Dance. From Pilobolus in the east to Hot Little Hands in Portland, Oregon, our former students -- now mature working professionals -- are the best evidence of our commitment to living an artistic life. Now, are you ready to be challenged? Fasten your seatbelt... this will be a memorable ride!!!!

Simone Ferro, Chair
Department of Dance
sferro@uwm.edu