Point Park University's Department of Dance Hosts Virtual Speaker Series During Fall 2020 Semester Friday, September 4, 2020
"It is important to demonstrate to our students that there are many ways our students can thrive professionally in the dance industry, and what better way than to connect them with professionals they call family. We’re encouraging them to start thinking intentionally about their futures, and these conversations will provide important knowledge, guidance, advice and information to help our students set and attain their professional goals."
Point Park University's Department of Dance will host a virtual speaker series during the Fall 2020 semester. The goal of the series is to connect students directly with working alumni and guests, creating a bridge between our students and those working professionally.
Each Monday, from Sept. 7 through Nov. 30 from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m., Point Park dance alumni and guest professionals will have engaging, virtual discussions organized into five categories: Broadway, Concert Dance, Choreographers, Entrepreneurs and the Commercial Dance Industry.
"It is important to demonstrate to our students that there are many ways our students can thrive professionally in the dance industry, and what better way than to connect them with professionals they call family," said Garfield Lemonius, M.F.A., chair and associate professor. "We’re encouraging them to start thinking intentionally about their futures, and these conversations will provide important knowledge, guidance, advice and information to help our students set and attain their professional goals."
We welcome the public to join us for this free, special opportunity to listen in on these inspiring conversations.
All who are interested in joining the conversations must register online.
Virtual Speaker Series — 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. Monday's through Nov. 30
Broadway
- Sept. 7: Ahmad Simmons, Gabby Hamilton and Gabriella Sorrentino; moderated by Professor Kiesha Lalama, M.F.A. | Watch archived conversation on YouTube.
- Sept. 14: Shonica Gooden, Cassy Surianello and Jennifer Florentino; moderated by Associate Professor Garfield Lemonius, M.F.A.
Concert Dance
- Sept. 21: Whim W'Him (Ashley Green and Andrew McShea), Alvin Ailey (Corrin Mitchell), Dallas Black Dance Theater: Encore! (Bianca Melidor, Terrell Rogers and Floyd McClean); moderated by Chair and Associate Professor Garfield Lemonius, M.F.A.
- Sept. 28: Parsons Dance (Henry Steele and Damond Garner); Freelance (Christian Warner); Paul Taylor Dance Company (Shawn Lesniak), Chuthis (Sloan Pearson); moderated by Associate Professor Jason McDole
- Oct. 5: Northwest Dance Project (Franco Nieto and Colleen Loverde), Gibney Dance (Kevin Pajarillaga), Giordano Dance Chicago (Jacob Frazier); moderated by Associate Professor Judith Leifer
- Oct. 12: Dance in Europe (Andy Wright, Alessia Ruffolo and Luke Murphy), Sidra Bell (AJ Libert and Kimmie Parker); moderated by Assistant Professor Colleen Hooper, Ph.D.
- Oct. 19: Alonzo King LINES Ballet (James Gowan), Ballet X (Zach Kapeluck and Shawn Cusseaux); moderated by Professor Susan Stowe
Choreographers
- Oct. 26: Rennie Harris and Maud Arnold, moderated by Assistant Professor Crystal Frazier, M.F.A.
- Nov. 9: Penny Saunders, moderated by Professor Jay Kirk, M.F.A.
Entrepreneurs
- Nov. 16: Marlana Doyle, Pam Chu, Mark Swanhart and Cheryl Mann; moderated by Assistant Professor Kiki Lucas
Commercial Industry
- Nov. 30: Robert Knowles, Skylar Schultz, Nick Fearon and Marissa Lee; moderated by Chair and Associate Professor Garfield Lemonius, M.F.A.
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