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The NC State Dance Program, as one of the six arts programs of ARTS NC STATE, gives students opportunities

to study dance through direct experience in choreographic and performance processes. At the center of

the Dance Program are its two student companies: the NCSU Dance Company, a modern dance company

nationally acclaimed by the American College Dance Association, and the Panoramic Dance Project, a company

dedicated to exploring diverse dance styles, including jazz, modern, hip-hop, African and Latin. Through these

student companies, the study of choreography, technique classes, performance, community engagement and

professional projects, the Dance Program provides a creative environment rich in imagination, reflection,

and the embodiment of ideas. As undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in various fields,

the dancers at NC State bring their diverse insights and experiences into the artistic process and contribute

meaningfully to the creation of the art.

and experiences into the artistic process and contribute

Front cover: Navy Blue, choreography by Emily Wexler, photo by Ben Scot t

Mission Statement .............................................................................................................................................................................................. Inside Front Cover

Programs ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................2Concerts ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................2Classes .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................7Guest Choreographer Residencies .....................................................................................................................................................................................................8American College Dance Association Mid-Atlantic Conference ......................................................................................................................................8Other Events .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................9

Initiatives ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................10

Diversity .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................10

Staff...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................11

Recommendations and Concerns for the Future ................................................................................................................................................................12

Appendices ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................13Appendix I: NC State Strategic Plan ............................................................................................................................................................................................13Appendix II: DASA Strategic Plan ...............................................................................................................................................................................................15

A Preliminary Study of Idea Formation Process for Dance Composition ............................................................. Inside Back Cover

We find that dance teaches a mindset applicable to EVERY major and academic; one of fast learning, box-breaking creativity and understanding. We know that the two worlds don’t balance, they merge.— SIERRA THOMAS, NCSU DANCE COMPANY MEMBER AND INDUSTRIAL DESIGN MAJOR

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Algún Dia, choreography by Mat thew Thornton, photo by Ben Scot t

2014-2015 highlights of the Dance Program were its three annual formal concerts, its class program, guest choreographer residencies, and the NCSU Dance Company’s attendance at American College Dance Association Mid-Atlantic Conference. Other events included a performance at NC Dance Festival Weekend at Meredith College, State of Dance, Voices that Challenge, Davis Drive Middle School Dance Program Workshop, and performance at Lucy Daniels’ Creativity Group.

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ConcertsThe Dance Program presented three formal concerts: Fall Concert, Panoramic Dance Project Concert and NCSU Dance Company Concert.

Dedication, choreograohy by Robin Harris, photo by Ben Scot t

FALL CONCERTThursday and Friday November 20 and 21, 2014, 8pmTitmus Theatre, Thompson Hall

Excerpt from Operation Breadbasket(Panoramic Dance Project, 2014)ProtestChoreography: Willie HintonMusic/ Sound: The A&P Song, Brenda Gibson, “Where do we go from here?,” Martin Luther King, Jr., A Change is Gonna Come, Sam CookeVideo: Benjamin ScottConsultation: Robert J. BrownPerformance: Rebecca Anderson, Leslie Barber, Jamie Barbuto, Caroline Bridges, Corinne Canavarro, Euijin Choo, Alex Cohen, Jenna Delsignore, John Miller IV, Natalie Seibel, Taylor Erin Williams, Bronchez Walls, Matthew Wright, Brooke YannoyanLighting: Joshua Reaves

I’m Not a Doll, This Ain’t a Dollhouse(DAN 498 Independent Study Project)Choreography: C. Seth HarringtonMusic: Music Box Theme, Kevin MacLeod, Settle Down, Kimbra, Carousel, Melanie Martinez, Ashes, Yann TiersenPerformance (in order of appearance): C. Seth Harrington, Josh Walker, Holley Holmes, Jamie Barbuto, Karah Lizotte, Luis Angel BeltranLighting: Joshua Reaves

Untitled (Work in Progress)(Panoramic Dance Project, 2014)Choreography: Tara Z. Mullins (with help from the dancers)Music: Tomorrow’s Song and Last Song by Ólafur ArnaldsPerformance: Rebecca Anderson, Leslie Barber, Jamie Barbuto, Caroline Bridges, Corinne Canavarro, Euijin Choo, Alex Cohen, Jenna Delsignore, Natalie Seibel, Taylor Erin Williams, Matthew Wright, Brooke YannoyanLighting: Joshua Reaves

Between Life and Art with a Side of Dreams(DAN 498 Independent Study Project)Choreography: McKenna CzapMusic: La Noyée, Yann Tiersen, La Foule, Edith PiafPerformance: Casey Anders, McKenna Czap, Holley Holmes, Jessica MattieLighting: Joshua Reaves

INTERMISSION

Family Album(NCSU Dance Company Movement Studies Project, 2014)i. Mr. & Mrs.ii. My mother’s motheriii. Dinneriv. Just Awayv. Vacation, Summer 2014Choreography & Performance: Casey Anders, Kathryn Bailey, Mary Bounds, McKenna Czap, Holley Holmes, Katy Lund, Jacob Marx, Jessica Mattie, Angela Petrongelli, Kelly RogersMusic / Sound: Bubbles in the Wine by Lawrence Welk; excerpt from Memories of You by Eubie Blake, played by Benny Goodman; Que Sera Sera by Jay Liningston and Ray Evans sung by the Lennon Sisters; excerpts from 1950 Family Date, Dinner In A 1950’s Home; excerpt from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band by the Beatles; text adapted from Away by James Whitcomb Riley; Funeral and Aftermath by Stephen Rennicks; Vacation, Summer 2014 sound design by Dick Hodgin, Osceola Recording Studios, with Lento cantabile espressivo by Frederico MompouCostume & Set Design: Lisa TiremanLighting Design: Joshua Reaves


Algún Día(Panoramic Dance Project)Choreography: Matthew ThorntonMusic: La Pared, Felipe Pirela Innocent When You Dream, Tom WaitsPerformance: Corinne Canavarro, Alex Cohen, Jenna Delsignore, John Miller IVLighting: Joshua Reaves

Élégie (2007)(NCSU Dance Company)Choreography: Robin HarrisText: Excerpt from radio broadcast Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling, June 19, 1936 (Bill Clayton’s Prime Time Boxing)Music: Élégie, Jules MassenetPerformance: Jacob MarxLighting: Joshua Reaves

DECIDEDLY UNDECIDED (2014)(NSCU Dance Company)Created by: Claire PorterMovement material developed with the performersText: Claire PorterRehearsal Director: Robin HarrisMusic: Mary Ellen Childs, by permissionCostumes: Lisa TiremanPerformance: Casey Anders, Kathryn Bailey, Mary Bounds, McKenna Czap, Holley Holmes, Katy Lund, Jessica Mattie, Angela Petrongelli, Kelly Rogers, Sierra ThomasLighting: Joshua Reaves

PANORAMIC DANCE PROJECT CONCERTThursday and Friday March 26 and 27, 2015, 8pmTitmus Theatre, Thompson Hall

Bhangra MashupChoreography: Rohit BulchandaniMusic: Punjabi MC and Preet HarpalPerformance: Rebecca Anderson, Leslie Barber, Jamie Barbuto, Caroline Bridges, Alexandra Cohen, Jenna Delsignore, Matthew Wright, Brooke YannoyanLighting: Stevan Dupor

The Nature of Southern LegendsChoreography, Video and Costumes: Autumn Mist BelkMusic: Julia Price and G. Todd Buker (aka Proxy)Text: Jessica TemplePerformance: Rebecca Anderson, Alexandra Cohen, Autumn Mist BelkLighting: Stevan Dupor

Excerpt from Operation BreadbasketPART THREE – CELEBRATEChoreography: Lavender “L.D.” BurrisMusic: Sweet Honey and the RockPerformance: Rebecca Anderson, Leslie Barber, Jamie Barbuto, Caroline Bridges, Alexandra Cohen, Jenna Delsignore, Bronchez Walls, Matthew Wright, Brooke YannoyanLighting: Stevan Dupor


DECIDEDLY UNDECIDED, created by Claire Por ter, photo by Ben Scot t

Algun DiaChoreography: Matthew ThorntonMusic: Felipe Pirela and Tom WaitsPerformance: Alexandra Cohen and John Miller IVLighting: Stevan Dupor

For a Brief MomentChoreography: Tara Z. MullinsMusic: Ólafur ArnaldsPerformance: Rebecca Anderson, Leslie Barber, Jamie Barbuto, Caroline Bridges, Alexandra Cohen, Jenna Delsignore, Matthew Wright, Brooke YannoyanLighting: Stevan Dupor

Brother 4 BrotherChoreography: Willie HintonMusic: Sikiru Adepoju, Zakir Hussain, Giovanni Hidalgo and Mickey HartPerformance: Bronchez Walls and Matthew Wright

StatementChoreography: Rebecca Anderson, Corinne Canavarro, Bronchez Walls, Matthew Wright, Brooke Yannoyan – with assistance from the other Panoramic Dance Project company membersMusic: Diplo, Bruno Mars, Little MixPerformance: Rebecca Anderson, Leslie Barber, Jamie Barbuto, Caroline Bridges, Alexandra Cohen, Jenna Delsignore, Bronchez Walls, Matthew Wright, Brooke YannoyanLighting: Stevan Dupor

NCSU DANCE COMPANY CONCERT Thursday and Friday April 16 and 17, 2015, 8pmTitmus Theatre, Thompson Hall

DECIDEDLY UNDECIDED (2014)Created by: Claire PorterMovement material developed with the performersText: Claire PorterRehearsal Director: Robin HarrisMusic: Mary Ellen Childs, by permissionCostumes: Lisa TiremanPerformance: Casey Anders, Kathryn Bailey, Mary Bounds, McKenna Czap, Holley Holmes, Jessica Mattie, Angela Petrongelli, Kelly Rogers, Sierra ThomasLighting: Joshua Reaves

And Still I Wait, Maybe for Me (Premiere)Choreography: Tara Z. MullinsMusic: Daniel Bernard Romain Performance: Casey Anders, Kathryn Bailey, Mary Bounds, Kelly RogersLighting: Joshua Reaves

Navy Blue (2008)Choreography: Emily WexlerMusic: Beier Mir Bist Du Schon by The Andrews Sisters and All My Tears by Emmylou Harris Performance: McKenna Czap, Holley Holmes, Angela PetrongelliLighting: Joshua Reaves

forevermore (Premiere)Choreography: Robin HarrisMusic: Johann Sebastian Bach Cello Suite No.2 in D Minor, BWV 1008-Sarabande, performed by Jacqueline Du PreCostume: Sarah CannonPerformance: Holley HolmesLighting: Joshua Reaves

I saw and heard and knew at lastThe How and Why of all things, pastAnd present, and forevermore. — EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY, FROM RENASCENCE


Waking, Finding You Here (2014)Choreography: Jack ArnoldMusic: Arvo Pärt, Fratres for string quartetPerformance: Jacob Marx and Angela PetrongelliLighting: Joshua Reaves

Élégie (2007)Choreography: Robin HarrisText: Excerpt from radio broadcast of Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling, June 19, 1936 (Bill Clayton’s Prime Time Boxing)Music: Élégie by Jules MassenetPerformance: Jacob MarxLighting: Joshua Reaves

INTERMISSION

Dedication (1998)Choreography, Concept & Direction: Robin HarrisAssistant Rehearsal Director: Megan MarvelMusical Conception: Christian B. Cherry and Robin HarrisSet and Costume Design: Marty BairdDress Construction: Meg ShousePerformance: Holley Holmes, Jessica Mattie, Jacob Marx, Angela PetrongelliLighting: Joshua Reaves

I. Short Porch Alabama Sacred Harp ConventionII. Closet I Found a Dream, Lonnie JohnsonIII. Cashmere Bouquet Face Powder Text from James Agee’s Let Us Now Praise Famous Men, spoken by Jack ArnoldIV. Table in the Hall Married Woman Blues, Sleepy John EstesV. Dishwashing Nocturne, Maria Agato SzymanowskaVI. Calendar Images Text from James Agee’s Let Us Now Praise Famous Men, Women’s Home Companion, May 1938, and Westvaco Inspirations for Printers, Issue #33, spoken by Christian B. CherryVII. Sleepy Porch Christian B. Cherry


forevermore, choreography by Robin Harris, photo by Ben Scot t

ClassesThe Dance Program offered academic courses, taught by Dance Program directors, and a rich selection of master classes, taught by guest teachers, that were free and open to NC State students, faculty and staff.

Academic Courses taught by Dance Program Directors

FALLDAN 210: Current Trends in Afrocentric and World Dance (Mullins)DAN 295: Problems in Dance Performance (Harris and Mullins)DAN 498: Independent Study in Dance (Harris)AVS 100: The Arts Forum, Dance Track (Harris and Mullins)

SPRINGDAN 210: Current Trends in Afrocentric and World Dance (Mullins)DAN 272: Dance Composition (Harris)DAN 295: Problems in Dance Performance (Harris and Mullins)

Classes for NCSU Dance Company (DAN 295)

Modern taught by Tara Mullins (Fall and Spring)

Modern taught by Leah Wilks (Fall and Spring)

Movement Studies (composition component of DAN 295) taught by Robin Harris (Fall)

Classes for Panoramic Dance Project (DAN 210)

Company Class taught by Tara Z. Mullins (Fall and Spring)

Modern taught by Willie Hinton (Fall)

Jazz taught by Tara Z. Mullins (Spring)

Master Class Series

Modern taught by Matthew Thornton, Friday, September 5

Latin Dance taught by Marissa Wakley, Saturday, September 20

Contemporary taught by Ronnie West, Saturday, October 4 Advanced Modern/Post-Modern Dance taught by Autumn Mist Belk, Friday, October 24

African Dance taught by L.D. Burris, Saturday, October 18 Dance/Theatre Devising Workshop taught by Julia Rhoads, Saturday, October 25

Modern taught by Leah Wilks, Tuesday, October 28

Modern taught by Jack Arnold, Tuesday, December 2

Modern taught by Emily Wexler, Tuesday, January 13

Modern taught by Thea Jaworski, Tuesday, January 20

Modern taught by Suzanne Beahrs, Friday, February 13 (NCSU Dance Company only)

Contemporary/Hip-hop taught by Ronnie West, Friday, February 20

Modern taught by Leah Wilks, Tuesday, March 17

Intermediate Ballet taught by Megan Marvel, Friday, March 27

African Dance taught by Chuck Davis, Wednesday, April 1 (Panoramic Dance Project only)

Embodying History through Movement Workshop taught by Tony Johnson, Wednesday, April 8

Latin Partnering taught by Marissa Wakley, Monday, April 13

Horton Technique taught by Avis Hatcher Puzzo, Wednesday, April 15


The time I spent with the NCSU Dance Company was the most meaningful experience I had at NC State. I grew from being a student and a performer, to being a choreographer, teacher and mentor. The skills I learned in the NCSU Dance Company were the most important skills I learned in college. I learned how to analyze thoughts and feelings in such a way as to effectively channel them into performance and choreography, but also in a way that helped me in general to grow as a person. — ASHLEY WHITE, FORMER NCSU DANCE COMPANY MEMBER, BS IN MATHEMATICS, BS IN PHILOSOPHY, MS IN MATHEMATICS, PHD CANDIDATE IN MATHEMATICS

Guest Choreographer ResidenciesSix guest artists set choreographic work on Dance Program company members, and some taught master classes and led Arts Village workshops.

Claire Porter (September, 25 -30, 2014): choreographed DECIDELY UNDECIDED for the NCSU Dance Company, taught a master class and served as an artist-in-residence in the Arts Village.

Matthew Thornton (September 5-7, 2014): set Algun Dia on the Panoramic Dance Project, taught a master class and served as an artist-in-residence in the Arts Village.

Jack Arnold (Spring Semester): set Waking, Finding you Here on the NCSU Dance Company and taught a master class.

Willie Hinton (Spring Semester): choreographed Brother 4 Brother for the Panoramic Dance Project.

Emily Wexler (January 8-13, 2015): set Navy Blue on the NCSU Dance Company, taught a master class and served as an artist-in-residence in the Arts Village.

Rohit Bulchandani (Spring Semester): choreographed Bhangra Mashup for the Panoramic Dance Project.

American College Dance Association (ACDA) Mid-Atlantic ConferenceThe American College Dance Association’s primary focus is to support and promote the wealth of talent and creativity that is prominent throughout college and university dance departments. ACDA’s sponsorship of regional conferences and the national dance festival provides the venue for students and faculty to engage in three days of performances, workshops, panels, and master classes taught by instructors from around the region and country. The conferences also provide the unique opportunity for students and faculty to have their dance works adjudicated by a panel of nationally recognized dance professionals in an open and constructive forum. The conferences are the primary means for college and university dance programs to perform outside their own academic setting and be exposed to the diversity of the national college dance world. From the ACDA website – www.acda.dance

Eleven NCSU Dance Company members and directors Robin Harris and Tara Z. Mullins attended the American College Dance Association Mid-Atlantic Conference at Towson University March 6-10, 2015. The company performed two works for adjudication: Waking, Finding you Here choreographed by guest choreographer Jack Arnold and Between Life and Art with a Side of Dreams choreographed by student McKenna Czap. Company member, Jacob Marx, performed Élégie choreographed by Dance Program Director Robin Harris, in the Informal Concert. In addition to participating in the adjudication process, performing at the conference, and attending feedback sessions, students attended a vast array of classes, lectures and performances. Assistant Director, Tara Mullins taught two Intermediate Modern classes at the conference.


Other EventsNC State Dance Program participated in other performances and projects throughout the academic year.

North Carolina Dance Festival Weekend at Meredith College (September 21, 2014) NCSU Dance Company performed Lawn by Carol Finley, NC State Dance Program alumna and current Professor of Dance and Program Coordinator of the Meredith College Dance Program.

State of Dance (October 13 – November 8, 2014)State of Dance was a month-long residency program, at Burning Coal Theatre Company’s Murphey School, which gave selected emergent choreographers the opportunity to create work, teach classes and present their work in culminating concerts on November 6th, 7th and 8th. A collaboration between Burning Coal Theatre Company and the NC State Dance Program, this project was funded in part by grants from the City of Raleigh Arts Commission, the United Arts Council of Wake County and Raleigh and the North Carolina Arts Council.


Voices that Challenge (February 14-15, 2015)As part of the NC Museum of History’s Black History Month Celebration, Panoramic Dance Project performed Operation Breadbasket, a mixed media modern dance honoring its namesake from the Civil Rights movement. This was a Dance Program collaboration with Justice Theatre Project, Baba Chuck Davis and the NC Museum of History.

Davis Drive Middle School Dance Program Workshop (April 20, 2015)Panoramic Dance Project students mentored the middle school students on their original choreography.

Lucy Daniels’ Creativity Study Group (April 20, 2015)NCSU Dance Company student Holley Holmes performed Robin Harris’s forevermore and participated in a discussion about the creative process.

Operation Breadbasket, choreography by Lavender "LD" Burris, photo by Ben Scot t

Currently, the Dance Program is writing a proposal for a Dance Performance and Choreography Minor. The Dance Performance and Choreography Minor is the logical next step in the evolution of the NC State Dance Program. This minor will formalize and enhance recognition of the dance opportunities provided by the Dance Program, as well as lay a foundation for continued development of dance as an art form in an academic context at NC State, in the Division of Academic and Student Affairs (DASA) and in ARTS NC STATE. The Dance Performance and Choreography Minor would put the Dance Program on the same academic standing as our fellow ARTS NC STATE programs in Music and Theatre housed in DASA, each of which offers minors.

Given its academic offerings, educational opportunities and past and current successes, the Dance Program has the capacity to support an academic minor and is prepared to do so. The Dance

Dance Performance and Choreography Minor, through rich educational experiences in creativity and critical thinking, will prepare students to be innovative and adaptable as they pursue their prospective careers.

Minor Catalogue Description (draft)The Dance Performance and Choreography Minor serves as a training ground for creating, performing and analyzing dance as an art form. Through focus on the study and practice of choreography and participation in performing dance companies, NC State students gain skills in performance and choreography, engage in artistic experimentation and performance, explore theoretical and aesthetic content and engage in intellectual discourse. With the possibility of participation in either the NCSU Dance Company or the Panoramic Dance Project, the student may concentrate performance studies in Modern Dance through the NCSU Dance Company, or forms such as African, hip-hop, Latin and jazz through the Panoramic Dance Project.

The Dance Program Master Class SeriesThe Dance Program Master Class Series, free and open to all NC State students, faculty and staff, is dedicated to including a diverse range of dance forms and styles. 2014-2015 classes include Modern, Latin, Latin Partnering, Contemporary, Hip-hop, African, Dance/Theatre Devising Workshop, Horton Technique and Embodying History through Movement Workshop (see Master Class Series page 7).

Panoramic Dance Project Panoramic Dance Project is the Dance Program’s student dance company dedicated to exploring a diverse range of dance styles, including modern, jazz, hip-hop, African, Bhangra and Latin. This year the company members participated in Latin master classes (taught by Marissa Wakley), African master classes (taught by Chuck Davis) and performed a Bhangra piece (Rohit Bulchandani).

DAN 210 Current Trends in Afrocentric and World Dance DAN 210 is the academic course in which Panoramic Dance Project students are enrolled.

Panoramic Dance Project Concert (March 26-27, 2015)This concert presented works in a diverse range of dance styles to NC State and community audiences (see Panoramic Dance Project Concert program page 4).

Embodying History through Movement Workshop taught by Tony Johnson (April 8, 2015)Early College High School and Dance Program students were

and emotional weight of slavery and segregation.


As I am currently interviewing for post-graduate jobs, I have been surprised and thrilled at how many interviewers have drawn attention to my involvement with Panoramic and/or my interest with modern dance on my resume. I will be graduating with a BS in Fashion and Textile Design, and possible employers have commented on this nuance in my education. This has helped me stand out among other candidates and lead to furthering conversation about the importance of the arts. — ALEXANDRA COHEN, PANORAMIC DANCE PROJECT MEMBER AND A FASHION AND TEXTILE DESIGN MAJOR


University Diversity Advisory CommitteeTara Mullins serves as the ARTS NC STATE representative on the UDAC committee.

ROBIN HARRIS is director of the NC State Dance Program, where she also serves as artistic director of the NCSU Dance Company, mentors student choreographers, and teaches dance composition.

A choreographer of over thirty major works, Robin is a recipient of two NC Arts Council Choreographers Fellowships, the Raleigh Medal of Arts, an Indy Award, the 2010 NCAAHPERD University Dance Educator Award, and the 2014 North Carolina Dance Alliance Annual Award. Her work also has been recognized by the American Dance Festival, and has

College Dance Association, including performances at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and in numerous regional ACDA Gala Concerts. Full evenings of Robin’s work have been presented by NCSU Center Stage and the Southeast Women’s Studies Conference. Additionally, her work has toured four seasons with the North Carolina Dance Festival, and been a featured subject on National Public Radio’s Studio 360.

Robin has served as a guest artist at Washington & Lee University, James Madison University, University of Maryland, Hollins University, and Meredith College. She has also choreographed for Burning Coal Theatre Company in Raleigh, including Hair in 2009, Enron in 2011, Brigadoon in 2012, and Civil Rights Through Song in 2014. Robin choreographed Rent for University Theatre at NC State in 2012. Robin is a member of the Burning Coal Theatre Company.

Robin holds a B.A. in French and an M.A. in dance from The

Dance Notation Bureau as a Labanotation teacher.

2014-2015 Creative Work

forevermore (premiere)NCSU Dance Company Concert

Dedication (reconstruction)NCSU Dance Company Concert

Élégie (reconstruction)NC State Dance Program Fall ConcertMid-Atlantic American College Dance Association

Informal ConcertNCSU Dance Company Concert

2014-2015 CommitteesArts Village Advisory CouncilDASA Assessment Council

2014-2015 Awards2014 North Carolina Dance Alliance Annual Award for lifetime contributions to the growth and development of dance in North Carolina


Navy Blue, choreography by Emily Wexler, photo by Ben Scot t


TARA ZAFFUTO MULLINS is the Assistant Director of the NC State Dance Program and Artistic Director of Panoramic Dance Project. While at NC State, Tara produced Operation Breadbasket, a mixed media modern dance honoring the civil rights movement, which was featured on the WUNC State of Things. Recently, she was nominated for a Chancellors Creating Community Award and serves on the University Diversity Advisory Committee.

In her role as Assistant Director, Tara teaches technique and choreographs for both NC State Dance Program companies. She has been a guest artist at Radford University, James Madison University, East Central University, Opera Theatre of Northern Virginia, Latin Ballet of Virginia, Dance Arizona Repertory Theatre, among other institutions and companies. In the past, Tara has taught at Henrico Center for the Arts, Arizona State University, Mesa Community College, St. Catherine’s School, University of Virginia and most recently was on faculty at the Academy of Arts and Minds in Miami, FL.

After serving as the Educational Programs Director for the Latin Ballet of Virginia, Tara developed her own education and service based Z Mullins Dance Company that founded and facilitated such events as the Virginia Dance Symposium, that brings together high school dancers and professors from dance programs, as well as the Summer Dance Intensive, a ten day program for high school and college dancers. She also planned and directed many community projects such as Fitness, Food and FUNthe Big Gig, a free youth arts festival in Miami.

Tara has a B.A. in dance from James Madison University and an M.F.A. in dance from Arizona State University where she received the Faculty Women’s Association Distinguished Master Degree Candidate Award for her work developing arts programs for homeless youth, as well as the Inaugural Herberger College of Fine Arts Fellowship.

2014-2015 Creative Work

For a Brief Moment (premiere)Fall ConcertPanoramic Dance Project Concert

And Still I Wait, Maybe for Me (premiere)NCSU Dance Company Concert

2014-2015 CommitteeUniversity Diversity Advisory Committee

2014-2015 AwardsNominated for a 2014-2015 Chancellor’s Creating Community Award for Staff

The Dance Program does not have adequate spaces for classes, rehearsals, and programmatic growth. The Dance Program needs dedicated studios in which to do current work and expand programming.

The Dance Program recommends a minor in Dance Performance and Choreography to formalize and enhance recognition of the dance opportunities provided by the Dance Program, as well as lay a foundation for continued development of dance as an art form in an academic context at NC State, in the Division of Academic and Student Affairs (DASA) and in ARTS NC STATE.

Dance has been with me almost my entire life. Through the practice, I have learned many things, though I am not talking about the skills you think I am. Yes, I can chassé and plié and leap. But I can also tell you how to listen, learn fast, memorize, and expand upon.— SIERRA THOMAS, NCSU DANCE COMPANY MEMBER AND INDUSTRIAL DESIGN MAJOR

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Appendix I: NC State Strategic PlanGoal One: Enhance the success of our students through educational innovation Strategy - Provide high-impact educational experiences for undergraduates

Choreographic Projects Through the Movement Studies Project and DAN 498

of movement invention, development of movement vocabulary through choreographic craft, and the realization of idea/content to original/authentic form. 2014-2015 student choreographic projects included C. Seth Harrington’s I’m Not a Doll, This Ain’t a Dollhouse, McKenna Czap’s Between Life and Art with a Side of Dreams, the Panoramic Dance Project’s collaborative hip- hop piece Statement and the NCSU Dance Company’s multi-section collaborative work Family Album.

Performance ExperiencesWith each choreographic work in which students perform, students experience complex performance processes on multiple levels. The Dance Programs two student companies provided profound performance experiences for the students in the 2014-2015 academic year (see Fall Concert, Panoramic Dance Project Concert and NCSU Dance Concert programs page 2).

American College Dance Association Mid-Atlantic ConferenceEleven NCSU Dance Company members and directors Robin

Harris and Tara Z. Mullins attended the American College Dance Association Mid-Atlantic Conference at Towson University March 6-10, 2015. The company performed two works for adjudication: Waking, Finding you Here choreographed by guest choreographer Jack Arnold and Between Life and Art with a Side of Dreams choreographed by student McKenna Czap. Company member, Jacob Marx, performed Élégie choreographed by Dance Program Director Robin Harris, in the Informal Concert. In addition to participating in the adjudication process, performing at the conference, and attending feedback sessions, students attended a vast array of classes, lectures and performances. Assistant Director, Tara Mullins, taught two Intermediate Modern classes at the conference.

Goal Two: Enhance scholarship and research by investing in faculty and infrastructure Strategy - Recruit leading scholars whose work is influential in their fields and on the world.

Expert Guest Artists

Jack Arnold: member of Pilobolus Dance Theatre from 1987- 1991, served on the faculties of the Pilobolus Institute and the American Dance Festival, past recipient of the NC Arts Council Choreographic Fellowship. Mr. Arnold set Waking, Finding you Here on the NCSU Dance Company and taught a master class.

Chuck Davis: founder and Artistic Director of the world renowned African American Dance Ensemble. Mr. Davis danced with Panoramic Dance Project as part of Voices that Challenge and taught a master class.

Fall 2014 Dance Program postcard


Claire Porter: Guggenheim Fellow 2013; recipient of National Endowment for the Arts Choreographic Fellowships, New Jersey State Council on the Arts Fellowships, Mid-Atlantic Choreography Fellowships; Laban Movement Analyst. Ms. Porter choreographed DECIDELY UNDECIDED for the NCSU Dance Company, taught a master class and served as an artist-in-residence in the Arts Village.

Emily Wexler: 2008 ACDFA/Dance Magazine award winner for Outstanding Choreography, Bessie Award nominee for performance, faculty member at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Ms. Wexler set Navy Blue on the NCSU Dance Company, taught a master class and served as an artist-in-residence in the Arts Village.

Matthew Thornton: former member of Pilobolus, Artistic Director of Agua Dulce Dance Theatre, faculty member at the University of Richmond. Mr. Thornton set Algun Dia on the Panoramic Dance Project, taught a master class and served as an artist-in-residence in the Arts Village.

this year: Marissa Wakley, Ronnie West, Autumn Mist Belk, L.D. Burris, Julia Rhoads, Leah Wilks, Thea Jaworski, Willie Hinton, Suzanne Beahrs, Megan Marvel, Tony Johnson and Avis Hatcher Puzzo.

Strategy - Provide opportunities to facilitate faculty career development.

American College Dance Association Mid-Atlantic Conference

The American College Dance Association’s primary focus is to support and promote the wealth of talent and creativity that is prominent throughout college and university dance departments. ACDA’s sponsorship of regional conferences and the national dance festival provides the venue for students and faculty to engage in three days of performances, workshops, panels, and master classes taught by instructors from around the region and country. The conferences also provide the unique opportunity for students and faculty to have their dance works adjudicated by a panel of nationally recognized dance professionals in an open and constructive forum. The conferences are the primary means for college and university dance programs to perform outside their own academic setting and be exposed to the diversity of the national college dance world. From the ACDA website – www.acda.dance

At the conference Mullins taught two Intermediate Modern Dance classes; Harris presented her choreographic work, Élégie, on the Informal Concert.

Goal Three: Enhance interdisciplinary scholarship to address the grand challenges of societyStrategy – Lower the barriers between disciplines and departments.

Students of all disciplines engage in creative work in choreography and performanceThe NC State Dance Program consists of students from all disci-plines and departments. These dancers bring their diverse insights and experiences into the artistic process and contribute to the art in

and critical thinking, the students become more innovative and adaptable in their respective disciplines and prospective careers.

2014-2015 dance students are enrolled in the following programs:

Undergraduate: College of Science – Biological Sciences, Statistics, ChemistryCHASS – Psychology, Communication, Social WorkTextiles – Textile Technology, Fashion and Textile Management, Textile Engineering, Fashion and Textile DesignManagement – Business AdministrationDesign – Industrial Design, Graphic DesignAgriculture and Life Sciences – Nutrition ScienceEngineering – Engineering 1st Year

Graduate:Engineering – Ph.D. candidates Mechanical EngineeringPublic Administration – Masters candidate in Public AdministrationMathematics – Ph.D. candidate in MathematicsComputer Science – Ph.D. candidate in Computer Science

Goal Four: Enhance organizational excellence by creating a culture of constant improvementStrategy - Encourage diversity and inclusion.

The Dance Program Master Class SeriesThe Dance Program Master Class Series, free and open to all NC State students, faculty and staff, is dedicated to including a diverse range of dance forms and styles. 2014-2015 classes include Modern, Latin, Latin Partnering, Contemporary, Hip-hop, African, Dance/Theatre Devising Workshop, Horton Technique


Appendix II: DASA Strategic PlanGoal Two: Open Your MindStrategy 2.2: Expand access to high impact educational programs and practices:

Choreographic Projects Through the Movement Studies Project and DAN 498

understanding of movement invention, development of movement vocabulary through choreographic craft, and the realization of idea/content to original/authentic form. 2014-2015 student choreographic projects included Seth Harrington’s I’m Not a Doll, This Ain’t a Dollhouse, McKenna Czap’s Between Life and Art with a Side of Dreams, the Panoramic Dance Project’s collaborative Hip hop piece Statement and the NCSU Dance Company’s multi-section collaborative work Family Album.

Performance ExperiencesWith each choreographic work in which students perform, the students experience complex performance processes on multiple levels. The Dance Programs two student companies provided rich performance experiences for the students in the 2014-2015 academic year (see programs pages 2).

American College Dance Association Mid-Atlantic ConferenceEleven NCSU Dance Company members and directors Robin Harris and Tara Z. Mullins attended the American College Dance Association Mid-Atlantic Conference at Towson University March 6-10, 2015. The company performed two works for adjudication: Waking, Finding you Here choreographed by guest choreographer Jack Arnold and Between Life and Art with a Side of Dreams choreographed by student McKenna Czap. Company member, Jacob Marx, performed Élégie choreographed by Dance Program Director Robin Harris, in the Informal Concert. In addition to participating in the adjudication process, performing at the conference, and attending feedback sessions, students attended a vast array of classes, lectures and performances. Assistant Director, Tara Mullins taught two Intermediate Modern classes at the conference.

and Embodying History through Movement Workshop (see Master Class Series page 7).

Panoramic Dance Project Panoramic Dance Project is the Dance Program’s student dance company dedicated to exploring a diverse range of dance styles, including modern, jazz, hip-hop, African, Bhangra and Latin. This year the students participated in Latin master classes (taught by Marissa Wakley), African master classes (taught by Chuck Davis) and performed a Bhangra piece (Rohit Bulchandani).

DAN 210 Current Trends in Afrocentric and World Dance DAN 210 is the academic course in which Panoramic Dance Project students are enrolled.


Embodying History through Movement Workshop taught by Tony Johnson (April 8, 2015)Early College High School and Dance Program students were




Goal Five: Enhance local and global engagement through focused strategic partnershipsStrategy -Enhance active and sustainable partnerships, locally, regionally, and globally.

PartnersThe Dance Program has collaborated with Burning Coal The-atre Company, Justice Theatre Project, NC Museum for History, Davis Drive Middle School and Early College High School.


Hip-hop, African, Dance/Theatre Devising Workshop, Horton Technique and Embodying History through Movement Workshop (see Master Class Series page 7).

Panoramic Dance ProjectPanoramic Dance Project is the Dance Program’s student dance company dedicated to exploring a diverse range of dance styles, including modern, jazz, hip-hop, African, Bhangra and Latin. This year the students participated in Latin master classes (taught by Marissa Wakley), African master classes (taught by Chuck Davis) and performed a Bhangra piece (Rohit Bulchandani).

DAN 210 Current Trends in Afrocentric and World DanceDAN 210 is the academic course in which Panoramic Dance Project students are enrolled.


Embodying History through Movement Workshoptaught by Tony Johnson (April 8, 2015)Early College High School and Dance Program students were




Initiative 2.2.5: Increase participation in service and community-based learning.


Davis Drive Middle School Dance Program Workshop(April 20, 2015)Panoramic Dance Project students mentored the middle school students on their original choreography.

Initiative 2.2.9: Promote campus-wide seminars, workshops, symposia and cultural events that serve students across all majors.

The Dance Program Master Class SeriesThe Dance Program Master Class Series, free and open to all NC State students, faculty and staff, is dedicated to including a diverse range of dance forms and styles. 2014-2015 classes include Modern, Latin, Latin Partnering, Contemporary, Hip-hop, African, Dance/Theatre Devising Workshop, Horton Technique and Embodying History through Movement Workshop (see Master Class Series page 7).

Goal Three: Build Your Community3.3. Strengthen campus commitment to diversity and inclusion.

The Dance Program Master Class SeriesThe Dance Program Master Class Series, free and open to all NC State students, faculty and staff, is dedicated to including a diverse range of dance forms and styles. 2014-2015 classes include Modern, Latin, Latin Partnering, Contemporary,

Family Album by students from the NCSU Dance Company Movement Studies Project, photo by Ben Scot t

“A PRELIMINARY STUDY OF IDEA FORMATION PROCESS FOR DANCE COMPOSITION”Excerpt from a paper written in DAN 272 Dance Composition,By Rey-Yie (Abel) Fong, PhD candidate, Mechanical Engineering

ABSTRACT

In scientific investigations, modeling is a mathematical process to synthesize, reconstruct, and predict a

phenomena on statistic basis with characterization, parameterization and quantization techniques. When the

object is observable and recordable, it’s quite simple and straight forward to utilize one of these techniques

to analyze and identify its properties. However, the formation of an abstract idea of art is not likely to be

analyzed by these representational, formulated, and regression analysis tools. But, if we could, partially

describe this formation process with scientific analysis techniques, then an abstract idea which is a qualitative

concept will be assigned with scientific basis which is a concept of quantization to provide further information

to make the composition work of dance be easily traced during crafting.

PREFACE

Crafting a dance with our own body as a device is like a process dialog. Something you feel does not flow

out and reveal naturally with your body before a sophisticated understanding and manipulating of this body

language. The framework and structure of composition is higher aspect to guide the movement and arrange

steps into meaningful sequence ...

describe this formation process with scientific analysis tec

concept will be assigned with scientific basis which is a co

to make the composition work of dance be easily traced du

PREFACE

Crafting a dance with our own body as a device is like a pr

out and reveal naturally with your body before a sophistica

language. The framework and structure of composition is h

steps into meaningful sequence ...

Back cover: forevermore, choreography by Robin Harris, photo by Ben Scot t

NC STATE DANCE PROGRAM

Campus Box 7306

Raleigh, NC 27695

Email: [email protected]

Website: ncsu.edu/dance

nc state dance program

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