Position: Adjunct Assistant Professor, Dance Management, Performing Arts Leadership & Management
Pronouns: She / Her / Hers
Location: Shingleton Hall, Room 28
Email: rferrell@su.edu
Employed Since: 2019
Educational History:
B.F.A., Virginia Commonwealth University; M.F.A., Arizona State University; Ph.D., University of Kentucky (in progress)
Fields of Expertise:
- Dance performance
- Creative process
- Dance curation
- Dance administration
- Arts administration
- Leadership in the arts
Professional Highlights:
Rebecca A. Ferrell (she/her) is a dance advocate, artist, educator, producer and programmer. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and Choreography from Virginia Commonwealth University as well as a Master of Fine Arts in Dance from Arizona State University.
As a longtime activist for the arts, Ferrell has served as the director of the Virginia Dance Symposium, co-producer of the Richmond Dance Festival, dance critic for GayRVA and RVA Magazine, ACDA Central Region Conference coordinator, director of public relations and engagement for the University of Illinois’ Department of Dance, director and curator of the Flatlands Dance Film Festival and executive director of Dance Metro DC. She is a current board member for Virginians for the Arts, the state’s arts advocacy organization.
Additionally, her arts administrative skills have supported organizations, universities and dance artists throughout the United States, with funding secured through a number of resources including the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, HumanitiesDC, the Lang Foundation and Yellow House NYC.
As a seasoned reviewer, she has sat on grant panels for Arizona State University, the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, the Urbana Arts Council and the United States Artists. She currently sits on the Arts Education Partnership Application Review Committee as well as the Blacklight Summit Advisory Committee.
Ferrell is currently the director of programs at Dance/USA, a faculty member at Shenandoah Conservatory, and an arts administration Ph.D. student at the University of Kentucky.
Personal Quote:The body says what words cannot
– Martha Graham (1894–1991)
Recommended Link(s):
Dance/USA
Dance/USA is the national service organization for professional dance, serving a broad cross-section of the dance field. Established in 1982, Dance/USA champions an inclusive and equitable dance field by leading, convening, advocating and supporting individuals and organizations.
National Dance Educators Association
National Dance Educators Association (NDEO) provides professional development, networking forums, honor societies, journals, research and advocacy tools for teachers, administrators and students in the field of dance education centered in the arts. Our members teach multiple dance genres in a variety of environments including, but not limited to, K-12 schools, dance studios, colleges and community centers. Join NDEO to advance your career and benefit your students. Become a part of a community that shares your passion for excellence in teaching the art of dance.