MERGE: Bridging the Gap Between Community College to University to Professional
A multi-tiered collaboration spanning five years, Towson University and the Community College of Baltimore County are bringing the focus back to collegiate dance in Maryland with their MERGE project. The project highlights five prominent female artistic directors and/or choreographers in a one-week residency including restaging of choreographic works on both Towson University and Community College of Baltimore County dance majors, free masterclasses for selected Baltimore County Public High School students and the community, and a live performance hosted by Community College of Baltimore County. MERGE will culminate in a cross-exchange performance between dance majors from both Towson University and the Community College of Baltimore County in their annual concerts. Building, Merging and Mentoring students from high school to community college to the university level in dance. We begin this collaboration with Carolyn Dorfman Dance. Our virtual concert takes place Friday, March 19 at 7p.m. Get your tickets here! You can also preview the program.
We are looking forward to working with several other prominent female artistic directors including Hope Boykin and Ephrat Asherie. And we are working on the details for coming performances; we will share this information on our Internet connections when finalized.
This program is made possible, in part, by support from
About Carolyn Dorfman Dance
Carolyn Dorfman Dance connects life and dance in bold, athletic and dramatic works by Carolyn Dorfman and nationally renowned choreographers. The company’s 10 multi-ethnic and stunning dancers present high-energy and technically demanding dance that unleashes the powerful storytelling and imagery of its visionary creator. This distinctive combination takes audiences on intellectual and emotional journeys that ultimately illuminate and celebrate the human experience. The highly acclaimed ensemble is known for emotional resonance and artistic excellence in both performance and its interaction with audiences, students and community. Carolyn Dorfman Dance appears at major theaters, dance festivals, universities, schools, museums and galleries regionally, nationally and internationally.
Carolyn Dorfman Dance is supported in part by the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation; New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State; New Jersey Arts and Culture Recovery Fund; Henry S. and Mala Dorfman Foundation; the Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation; Gregory S. Gallick, M.D., and Staff; Jeff and Leah Kronthal/Kronthal Family Foundation; Dr. Ann Stock and Arshad Zakaria/Zakaria Family Foundation; The Hyde and Watson Foundation; and E.J. Grassmann Trust; among other generous foundations, corporations, and individual donors committed to Carolyn Dorfman Dance’s artistry and programming.
About CCBC Dance
The CCBC Dance Program provides students with opportunities to experience and learn about a broad spectrum of dance. Whether they are Dance majors or studying Dance for personal enrichment, we offer all students a solid program of dance technique, creative courses, performance opportunities, and strong dance academics. CCBC Dance students are invited to express themselves through the study of dance and to participate in all aspects of dance as an art form.
About Towson University Dance
The Department of Dance is a center of excellence in dance education and artistry. Towson offers professional dance training within the context of a comprehensive liberal arts education. Majors experience rigorous preparation to dance and create dance at all ages and stages of life—in professional companies, as educators and as arts advocates.
The BFA Dance program at Towson University provides a strong liberal arts education combined with rigorous technique-based training that supports individual development of the dancer, artist and dance educator. Students are prepared to enter the professional world as dancers, choreographers, teachers and leaders in the arts.
Graduates of our programs have gone on to be principal dancers and choreographers in prestigious companies, owners and artistic directors at private studios, and teachers. Others pursue advanced degrees. Double majoring is popular in the areas of exercise science, psychology, mass communication, business, family studies and others.
Special Thanks To:
CCBC President, Dr. Sandra Kurtinitis
CCBC Provost & Vice President of Instruction, Dr. Joaquin Martinez
CCBC Vice President of Enrollment & Student Services, Dr. Rich Lilley
CCBC School of Arts & Communication Dean, Dr. William Watson
The Towson University Dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communications, Regina Carlow
CCBC Performing Arts & Humanities Chair, Professor Patti Crossman
CCBC Associate Professor/Artistic Director CCBC Dance Company, Melinda Blomquist
CCBC Arts Pathways Coordinator, Dr. Rebecca Ocampo
CCBC Performing Arts Director, Dr. Anne M. Lefter
CCBC Performing Arts Administrative Assistant, Johanna Lawrence
CCBC School of Arts & Communication Communications Assistant, Cathy Kratovil
CCBC Acting Purchasing Director, Sharon Federowicz
The Towson University Department of Dance
The Towson University Community Dance is part of The College of Fine Arts and Communications
The Towson University Dance Department Chair, Catherine Horta-Hayden
The Towson University Dance Department Faculty and Community Dance
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