Dance Students and Faculty Shine at ACDA Regional Conference

Several Shenandoah Conservatory dance students and faculty attended the Mid-Atlantic North American College Dance Association (ACDA) regional conference held at Slippery Rock University in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, earlier this month during spring break.

The ACDA’s primary focus is to support and promote the wealth of talent and creativity that is prominent throughout college and university dance departments. ACDA’s sponsorship of regional conferences and the national dance festival provides a venue for students and faculty to engage in three days of performances, workshops, panels and masterclasses taught by instructors from around the region and country. The conferences also 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. The conferences are the primary means for college and university dance programs to perform outside their own academic setting and to gain exposure to the diversity of college dance throughout the United States. Many conferences culminate with the presentation of pieces selected for their exemplary artistic quality.

Dakota Matos ’22 (Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance) and Becca Hopkins ’23 (Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance) presented their pieces for adjudication. Additionally, Alexa Boyles ’24 (Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance) presented her solo composition for the informal concert.

“All pieces were performed beautifully,” said Adjunct Assistant Professor of Dance Tiffanie Carson, M.F.A.

Shenandoah dancers were also selected to perform “Sympathetic Connectivity” in the culminating gala concert.

“It was a wonderful four days of artistic explorations and sharing of work,” continued Carson. “Each dancer who attended brought a level of professionalism to every class and were all so supportive of every school in all of the concerts. Our students made us proud!”