University dance company earns top honors at festival‚ invited to perform in New York
The Kennesaw State University Dance Company received top honors at the southeast regional American…
Georgia (Mar 31, 2008) — University dance company earns top honors at festival‚ invited to perform in New York
Cheryl Anderson Brown
Abstract
Contact: Director of University Relations
Frances Weyand Harrison
770−423−6203
fharris4@kennesaw.edu
Writer/Contact: Cheryl Anderson Brown‚ Assistant Director of Public Relations for
the College of the Arts‚ 770−499−3417 or cbrown@kennesaw.edu
Kennesaw State Dance Company earns top honors at dance festival‚ invited to perform
in New York City
KENNESAW‚ Ga. (March 31‚ 2008) — The Kennesaw State University Dance Company received
top honors at the southeast regional American College Dance Festival‚ held on March
8−11 at the University of Florida. Thirty−three university dance programs performed
at the prestigious event. The KSU Dance Company a piece entitled “Incubus” with choreography
by KSU Assistant Professor of Dance Ivan Pulinkala. The KSU Dance Company was one
of two universities subsequently invited to perform at the national American College
Dance Festival‚ which will be held June 4−6 in New York City.
“Our students had an amazing experience at the festival‚” Pulinkala says. In addition
to their performance‚ the students were able to participate in a number of dance classes
with master teachers and attend many performances. “Our participation at the national
festival will give our program and university national recognition and provide our
students with an incredible opportunity to perform on a New York stage.”
The works submitted to the festival are adjudicated through a blind review process.
The three national adjudicators viewing the approximately fifty pieces at the festival
every year are only allowed to know the title of the work being adjudicated and the
title of the musical score used. This process ensures that all the works are judged
without bias towards the program‚ its performers or the choreographer.
This was the second year that the KSU Dance Company was invited to perform at the
festival gala concert that features the top−ranked performances from the festival.
Founded less than three years ago‚ the KSU Dance Company is a pre−professional level
dance company‚ for which students audition each year. Its mission is to bring Western
concert dance to the community‚ as well as serve the mission of education in dance
through its outreach programs. Every year the company tours to regional high schools‚
performing and educating students about dance as a performing art. Through this outreach
program‚ students in the company gain valuable touring experience‚ while serving an
important community mission.
Earlier this month‚ the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia approved
a bachelor of arts degree program in dance at Kennesaw State. The university first
launched its dance program as a minor in the Department of Theatre and Performance
Studies in Fall 2005. Many of the current 143 dance minors are expected to become
dance majors when the new degree is implemented next fall.
“The KSU dance program has been incredibly successful in a very short period of time‚”
says Joseph Meeks‚ dean of the KSU College of the Arts‚ which houses the program.
“This is due to the extraordinary vision and capability of Prof. Pulinkala and the
strong desire on the behalf of the students to make dance a vibrant part of the growing
arts community at Kennesaw State.”
For more information about dance at Kennesaw State‚ visit www.kennesaw.edu/dance or call 770−423−6789.
A member of the 35−unit University System of Georgia‚ Kennesaw State University is a comprehensive‚ residential institution with a growing student population of more than 20‚000 from 132 countries. The third−largest university in Georgia‚ Kennesaw State offers more than 60 graduate and undergraduate degrees‚ including new doctorates in education and business.
A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers close to 200 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 41,000 students. With 11 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia and the second-largest university in the state. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the region and from 126 countries across the globe. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.
