UVU Department of Dance Performing Companies

UVU Ballroom Dance Company/Tour Team

Over the last several years, the UVU Ballroom Dance Company has grown into a premiere performance company. The team captured the nation's attention when they stormed onto the set of the popular ABC competitive dance show, Dancing with the Stars. After wowing the judges and wooing the nation's voting audience, UVU ran away with the coveted Mirror Ball trophy as the champions of the show's first-ever collegiate competition. The UVU Ballroom Dance Company has won four world titles at the Open British Championships held in Blackpool, England putting UVU in an elite category for collegiate dance teams. The Utah Valley University Ballroom Dance Company represented the United States of America at the Ninth China International Folk Art Festival in Yichang and Beijing, China in 2013. Only 14 countries were invited to perform in the Opening Ceremonies for a live audience of 40,000 people and televised to 1.3 billion viewers in China and abroad. Due to the success of this tour, the UVU Ballroom Dance Company was invited to return to China in July 2014 to perform at a large dance festival in Beijing. Many former UVU Ballroom Company dancers are now dancing professionally, attending graduate programs, and teaching in both private and academic settings.

The mission of the School of the Arts at Utah Valley University is to produce artists of the highest caliber who use their talents to make a positive difference and encourage productive change in the world. The UVU Ballroom Dance Company promotes access and appreciation for ballroom dancing through its training, performances, and educational initiatives. Company members are offered a serious, comprehensive, and intensive training in the dynamic field of ballroom dance, including studio instruction, engaging lectures, and real-world experiences. Company members take technique classes in International and American Styles of Ballroom Dance, including Latin, Standard Ballroom, Smooth, and Rhythm. Other areas of study include choreography, ballroom history, ballroom styles, and teaching methods. The ultimate goal of the program is to help students develop the skill, ingenuity, and creativity needed to enter the field of ballroom dance and successfully pursue long-term rewarding careers. Don’t miss this year's UVU Ballroom Dance Company Concert November 19 & 20th and April 29 & 30th. For more info, contact Ballroom Tour Team director Tara Boyd [email protected].

 

Repertory Ballet Ensemble

Repertory Ballet Ensemble is the resident performing company for the ballet program at Utah Valley University. The ensemble was founded in 2007 by Jacqueline Colledge and is currently under the direction of Jamie A. Johnson and Christa St. John. Since its inception, the ensemble has developed a notable reputation for presenting classical and contemporary choreography with equal virtuosity. Members of RBE are pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance with a Ballet Emphasis. Past company dancers are now dancing professionally, attending graduate programs, and teaching in a variety of settings. The primary goal of the Ensemble is to promote access and appreciation for ballet in the Intermountain Region through training, performances, and educational initiatives.

Repertory Ballet Ensemble in Concert, February 10-12, BB Jones Dance Theatre.

For more info, contact Artistic Directors Jamie Johnson [email protected] or Christa St. John [email protected].

 

Synergy Dance Company

Synergy Dance Company explores the creative, technical, and performance realms of dance by producing innovative concerts of guest artist, faculty, and student choreography. The company members are dynamic performers as well as imaginative choreographers who present dance as a wonderfully diverse and lively performance art. Synergy company members begin developing their choreography in August and delve into all aspects of producing a concert. Costumes, lighting, staging, and publicity are shared responsibilities that culminate in Synergy’s diverse concerts every December. Don’t miss this year’s concert December 2-4 at the Noorda Center. For more info, contact Artistic Directors Katie Taylor [email protected] or Kelsie Thomas [email protected].

 

Contemporary Dance Ensemble (CDE)

CDE is a pre-professional level modern dance company and upper division course. CDE’s mission is to provide real world experiences as students develop and enrich their artistry and prepare for careers in dance. Company members’ work with a variety of nationally and internationally acclaimed choreographers and have opportunities to perform regionally, nationally and internationally. CDE has been honored at the American College Dance Association dance conference by being selected to perform in numerous Gala concerts as well as the National Festival.

Don't miss CDE's Spring concert, "From the Ashes" March 24-26 at the Noorda Center. For more info, contact Artistic Directors Monica Campbell [email protected] or Melissa Younker [email protected].

Esprit d.c.

Esprit d.c. is a performance-based course designed for students interested in gaining knowledge about Hip Hop culture, developing technical and performative skills, and further developing themselves as dance artists. This course provides students with opportunities to perform the works of professional choreographers (faculty and guests) in a variety of formal and informal settings. Dancers will engage with the choreographic process and have the opportunity to set choreography on company members.