Ten University of Alaska Anchorage Department of Theatre and Dance students and two faculty members represented UAA for the first time at the American College Dance Festival Association’s Northwest Regional Conference at Western Washington University in Bellingham.
Four hundred participants attended from 24 universities and 35 individual dances were presented for adjudication. Eight of the 35 were selected by an internationally esteemed panel of adjudicators to be performed in the closing night Gala Concert.
UAA graduate student Katya Kuznetsova's work "Cruzada" was honored as one of the seven selected to open the Gala Concert.
"Cruzada" is a mysterious nuevo tango dance featuring 4 members of UAA Dance Ensemble with music by Lhasa and The Gotan Project. "ACDF was an intense transformative experience,” said Kuznetsova.
“It opened new and unexpected realities for me as a dancer, choreographer, friend, learner, artist and educator."
Kuznetsova's "Cruzada" is featured as part of UAA's "New Dances 2005" which opens Friday, April 15, at 8pm in the Mainstage Theatre of UAA’s Arts Building.
Other programs recognized in the Gala were from the University of Colorado at Boulder, Lewis and Clark College, Cornish College of the Arts, the University of Montana, and Weber State University.
The American College Dance Festival Association festivals 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.
Culminating with the presentation of pieces selected for their exemplary artistic quality, the festivals 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.
ACDFA’s primary focus is to support and promote the wealth of talent and creativity that is prominent throughout college and university dance departments. ACDFA's sponsorship of regional and national dance festivals provides the venue for students to engage in three days of workshops, lecture/ demonstrations and master classes taught by instructors from around the region and country.
The ACDFA also sponsors the National College Dance Festival. A biennial event, the National Festival showcases works selected from each regional festival for presentation on gala concerts at the Kennedy Center's Terrace Theater.
UAA students who attended said the experience of taking master classes, performing, viewing concerts, and listening to the adjudicator’s comments was invaluable.
“It was eye-opening to see the different flavors of movement which existed within dance ensembles from other universities. Excellent, excellent trip!” said sophomore Stephanie Wonchala.
The ability to engage with dancers and faculty from other schools was the highlight of the festival for many.
“Being around so many students interested in dance was a wonderful opportunity to exchange ideas,” said Chandler Noyes, a junior.
“Through sharing, we as dancers can gain new insights into the form, and revive our passion for movement.”
