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Garfield Lemonius, M.F.A.

Dean and Artistic Director, COPA
Professor

Pictured is Garfield Lemonius. Photo | Tony Moux

Contact Information

Education

  • M.F.A., Dance, Southern Methodist University
  • B.Ed., Secondary School Education, York University
  • B.F.A., Dance, York University

Courses Taught

  • Choreography
  • Contemporary Dance Styles
  • Contemporary Partnering
  • Modern Dance Techniques
  • Senior Project

Background

Garfield Lemonius' career adventures include performing in film, contemporary dance companies, and solo guest works across the United States, Canada and Europe. He was a principal dancer with the Dallas Black Dance Theatre, where he performed works by noted American choreographers, and toured throughout the U.S. and Europe. He has worked with acclaimed choreographers including Robert Battle, Colin Connor, David Parsons, Bruce Wood, Charles "Chuck" Davis, Alonzo King, Donald McKayle, and Kevin Wynn, and has performed solo works by renowned dance icons including Talley Beatty, Asadata Dafora, Jose Limon and Martha Graham.

Lemonius serves on numerous boards, including the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre board and the advisory committee for the National High School Dance Festival. He was also previously on the board for the Pittsburgh Dance Council and the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD) Committee of Ethics and on panels at national dance conferences. In 2018, he received the National High School Dance Festival Outstanding Service Award, the Festival's highest honor.

Before serving in his current role as dean and artistic director of the Conservatory of Performing Arts at Point Park University, Lemonius was professor and dance department chair in the Conservatory.

He continues to teach and choreograph for companies, festivals and other academic institutions across the U.S., Canada and Australia. 

Professional Memberships, Certifications and Affiliations

  • Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Board
  • Pittsburgh Dance Council
  • Texas State Board for Education Certification
  • Ontario College of Teachers
  • Elementary and Intermediate Laban Notation Certification
  • National Association of School of Dance

Selected Performances and Artistic Works

  • Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Principal dancer
  • Blues Brothers 2000, Principal dancer
  • Canadian Armed Forces show tour, Principal dancer
  • Main stage performances, Rehearsal director, Point Park University

Teacher

  • Teaching residency, CalState Fullerton
  • The Debbie Allen Dance Institute Summer Intensive
  • Southern Methodist University
  • University of Oklahoma
  • International Summer Dance, Point Park University
  • University of Texas in Austin
  • York University, Toronto
  • The Newtown Performing Arts High School, Sydney, Australia
  • August Wilson Dance Ensemble
  • Pittsburgh Youth Ballet Company
  • Jazz Dance World Congress, Point Park University
  • National High School Dance Festival, Philadelphia, Pa.

Research Interests

  • Choreographic theory and practice
  • Curriculum development
  • Instructional theory and practice

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