We always say Music, Theatre and Dance. We’re MTD after all. So what is it like to be always last on the list? Do the dance students and faculty feel like the youngest child in a family of three? And if they do, is that such a bad thing? Dance program director Gregory Patterson says, “We like being part of a combined department and I guess I never thought of it as being ‘third’ in this way. Teaching, performing and choreographing dance has been my lifelong passion, and for me, my colleagues and our majors, dance has always been number one.”
It is true that dance is the MTD’s smallest program but it’s not small in real terms. Last year there were 65 registered dance majors. The programs sponsors two student companies, Oakland Dance Theatre and Oakland University Repertory Dance Company, both of which rehearse and perform regularly.
There is also a professional company in residence with the program, Eisenhower Dance Company. No other university dance program in Michigan has that distinction and it gives our MTD students a huge artistic edge. So it’s no surprise that many OU dance alumni are active in professional dance, as witnessed in this month’s news which features Craig Miller’s upcoming performance with Inaside Chicago Dance. And in previous issues we've noted recent developments in the careers of highly respected dancers Lily Sloan and Rodney Brown.
The dance program is also very active in reaching out to aspiring dancers and the wider dance community. Dance Day happens every March, and this past summer the annual Great Lakes Dance Festival once again offered a two-week-long intensive dance experience to young pre-professional dancers.
This fall the program will host the Michigan Dance Council Dance Day for the first time. This is a statewide event enjoyed every year by more than 200 high school and college students who participate in master classes and attend a Showcase Concert. The master classes will take place in MTD’s dance studios and the Showcase Concert will be in Varner Recital Hall. OU Repertory Dance Company will perform in this year's showcase, and OU faculty Thayer Jonutz and Gregory Patterson will both teach master classes. Thayer will teach Modern and Greg will teach Disco Jazz. Other master classes will include Salsa, Jazz, Congolese, Ballet, Caribbean, and Detroit Jit/HipHop.
A highlight of the MDC Dance Day is the announcement of the recipient of the Maggie Allesee New Choreography Award. Maggie Allesee is a lifelong supporter of dance in Michigan and many OU dance students have benefited from her generosity, including participants in the Maggie Allesee Summer Dance Study Program, which awards grants for summer travel and study. In 2011, OU recognized Maggie Allesee’s philanthropy and commitment to education with the awarding of an honorary degree. Read more about that here.
OU Dance program director Greg Patterson was the first recipient of the New Choreography Award for his piece Traffic and it marked a turning point in his career. He says, “Having your work recognized is always a milestone for artists in any field. I was truly honored to be the first recipient of this prestigious award."
For one young choreographer that milestone moment will happen on October 1, 2011 when he or she receives this recognition. The day will also be a turning point for dozens of young dancers. It will be a day of inspiration and hard work.
MTD Departmental Chair Jackie Wiggins says, “OU’s Dance Program is very proud and honored to host this year's Statewide Annual Dance Day in conjunction with the Michigan Dance Council.” You can find more information about the Michigan Dance Council Dance Day, including registration information here. OU dance students Madeline Metzger, Francesca Garippa, AJ Sharp, and Jasmine Page-Cox are featured on the MDC poster.
Photo: Left to right: Taylor Thompson, Jessica Hublick, AJ Sharpe.
Created by Gillian Ellis (gellis@oakland.edu) on Wednesday, August 31, 2011 Modified by Gillian Ellis (gellis@oakland.edu) on Thursday, September 1, 2011 Article Start Date: Wednesday, August 31, 2011
We always say Music, Theatre and Dance. We’re MTD after all. So what is it like to be always last on the list? Do the dance students and faculty feel like the youngest child in a family of three? And if they do, is that such a bad thing? Dance program director Gregory Patterson says, “We like being part of a combined department and I guess I never thought of it as being ‘third’ in this way. Teaching, performing and choreographing dance has been my lifelong passion, and for me, my colleagues and our majors, dance has always been number one.”