DANCERS DO RESEARCH CATCHiNG Up wiTH OUR GRADUATES

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DANCERS DO RESEARCH
Dance students across the US are
often subjects of movement science
and medical research studies,
but at Wayne State, dancers are
conducting their own research.
Dancers’ bodies, like athletes, are in top
shape and often provide researchers with
important information about agility, peak
performance, cardiovascular strength and
muscle use. In fact, WSU dancers recently
participated in, and provided important data
for WSU’s Medical School research study on
peak performance agility levels. But this past
summer, undergraduate dance students have
quickly become researchers themselves.
With competitive university research grants
of over $50,000, and mentored by Dr. Doug
Risner, nine Wayne State dance major students
have conducted important research and creative
projects on dance for the camera, dance/
movement programs in juvenile detention
centers, community outreach in dance touring
programs, choreography and performance,
guest dance artists in higher education, and boys
and males in pre-professional dance training.
These research studies have expanded the
research literature on each topic and have given
WSU dance majors a real world understanding
of designing and conducting their own creative/
research projects.
In her research project, Re-envisioning the Guest
Artist Role in Higher Education: Innovative
Partnerships in Contemporary Dance, junior Alex
Dance Season
>> Winter 2009
Colleen Lauless (‘09), Martha Dobbs (‘09) Kate Vincek
(‘10) and Marlo Mysliwiec (‘10) at the Undergraduate
Research Grant Reception
Martin investigated how traditional guest artist
residencies have begun to develop in new ways,
addressing both the economic challenges faced
by today’s professional dance artists, as well as the
growing professionalization of dance programs
in the US. “I never thought I would conduct this
scale of research as an undergraduate student,”
Alex notes, “it has opened new doors for me and
started a new chapter of my life that could lead to
graduate school. Faculty mentors are a vital part
in the success of student research grants.”
With the financial support of the President’s
Research Enhancement Program (REP), three
dance major student researchers are assisting Dr.
Risner in a two-year study that will provide dance
teachers, directors, and the field with the most
Spring Concert
March 13 (Friday) 8pm
March 14 (Saturday) 3pm
WSU Bonstelle Theatre
(continued on page 2)
Dance Workshop
April 3 (Friday) 7:30pm
April 4 (Saturdayday) 7:30pm
Maggie Allesee Studio Theatre
Senior Capstone
April 17 (Friday) 8pm,
April 18 (Saturday) 8pm
April 19 (Sunday) 3pm
Maggie Allesee Studio Theatre
volume 5
issue 1
winter 2009
catching up with
our graduates
On May 5th, 2007 seven women
graduated from Wayne State University’s
Maggie Allesee Department of
Dance. Each has used their degree in
dance to help propel their careers as
well as their dreams. You may see one
of them on national television, maybe
on a stage in New York or Las Vegas,
one may be your Pilates or personal
trainer, or you may find one behind the
scenes of a professional dance company’s
annual performance. Members
graduating class of 2007 have begun
their careers, and they have made
their first footprints into their careers
as artists.
Brandy Blaha (BFA ‘07) is residing in New York.
She is a member of the C3 co-operative dance
company mentored by Barbara Duffy. She recently
has had the chance to perform with the company
in New York City in Tap City’s Annual Tap and Song
show. Along with rehearsal and performances with
the company Brandy also teaches at two dance
studios. “I am very thankful for the wide range of
classes I was offered at Wayne State. In particular
my Creative Dance for Children course with Eva
Powers was the sole reason I received my job at
the Creative Arts Studio in Brooklyn, New York. The
training I was given was not only how to dance but
everything that surrounds being a dancer.”
Brittany Guinane (BFA ‘07) is residing in Las
Vegas, Nevada. She is a dancer with the Folies
Bergere at the Tropicana. “My best advice for
future and current students is to take everything
you learn and apply to yourself. Even if you do not
end up going into a modern direction of dance you
can still take everything you learned and apply it to
what you need to succeed in your dance style. And
always make sure you perform and smile big!”
Emily Moul (BFA ‘07) is also residing in Las Vegas,
Nevada. She is an entertainment server at the Rio,
(continued on page 4)

Chair’s
Riff
It has been a cold snowy
winter in Detroit, the economy
is rough, and universities
and arts organizations
in this country face the
challenge of thriving under
what many would consider
difficult circumstances. However,
here in the Maggie Allesee Department of
Dance, we are indeed thriving.
We continue to welcome extraordinary students,
who come with great preparation and
passion to work in the arts. These students are
not just dancers – they are scholars and leaders,
as you will see as you read the articles in
this newsletter.
Our digital dance literacy curriculum prepares
students to contribute in a variety of ways to
dance – promotion, marketing, administration,
and art making. If you haven’t seen examples
of our graduating seniors’ work, I invite you to
visit this website -- http://dance.wayne.edu/
portfolios/home08/students.html -- you’ll be
amazed at how well students articulate themselves
and how they present their accomplishments
through digital technology.
After a long and intensive process, the department
was granted full institutional membership
in the National Association of Schools of Dance
(NASD) in September 2008. This accomplishment
reflects the dedication of not only the
faculty and staff, but also current and former
students, and many others who have contributed
to the history and success of this department.
We have recently made some revisions to our
Bachelor of Science degree. We believe the
changes will allow us to extend our reach into
the community and continue to develop passionate
dance professionals who have ambitions
in areas other than stage performance. The BFA
degree continues to be a strong studio oriented
degree, thanks to great training by our faculty
and excellent opportunities to perform and
work with Maggie Allesee Artists in Residence.
In this issue of DanceBreak, you’ll find stories
about our students, faculty, alumni, and others
who have contributed to our success. You’ll see
why when I look out my window and see even
more snow, I can’t help but think that winter is
simply revving up for spring.
-Ray Robinson
PARTNERS
IN
DANCE:
FAMILIES PARTNER
FOR SUCCESS
When you come to one of our dance performances,
you see the culmination of work
in many areas – choreography, technical
training, technology, and more. Each of the
pieces you see is costumed in thoughtful and
artistic representations of thematic elements
in the choreography.
Who makes these costumes As they say, “…
it takes a village.” Many of our costumes are
designed by seasoned professionals--we receive
generous help from Mary Copenhagen
and her design students. But some of our
best Partners in Dance are the mothers of our
dancers. These women, who have dedicated
years of their lives raising and supporting
these students, continue to do so through
their efforts in making our productions successful.
We’ll highlight just a couple:
You’ll see Junior Kate Vincek featured in our
spring concert. Her solo choreography is
stunning, as is the costume that she and her
mother, Colleen, created.
A new costume, created for Under Mine,
Kate’s solo, represents a collaborative effort
between Kate and her mother. At first, Ms.
Vincek didn’t realize how integral the costume
is to the dance. “When I saw… how
DANCE RESEARCH
(continued from page 1)
comprehensive information about boys and
young adult males in pre-professional dance
education and training to date---why they
dance, why they continue, and their goals,
needs and obstacles. Student research
assistant, sophomore Bryan Strimpel says,
“I never would have guessed I would be part
of a team working on such an important
research topic this early in my college career.
The hours you can spend on something as
simple as a data spreadsheet would amaze
you.”
Junior Marlo Mysliwiec conducted a creative
research project, Dance for the Camera that
investigated the conception, design, and
production of dance specifically for the
camera. Based on her skills developed in the
dance department’s Digital Dance Literacy
curriculum, her project uniquely combined
traditional research with innovative artistic
Top: Kate and Colleen Vincek;
Right: Valicia and Lydia Porter
she used the skirt as part of her choreography,
I was moved, full of happy emotions,”
she says. “I thoroughly enjoyed the experience
and then seeing the dancers perform on
stage… I felt really proud.”
Senior Lydia Porter will be busy this semester
is traveling with CompanyOne as the group
performs Rolling on the River in schools
around the Detroit metropolitan area and in
Windsor, Ontario. Her mother, Valicia, created
the large cloth backdrops that transform a
variety of performance venues into a journey
of dance in Detroit.
“I thought it was a great opportunity to help
the young people,” Ms. Porter says. “This project
gave me an opportunity to be creative…I
was only doing what I like to do best.”
These mothers are representative of the many
contributors that make our program successful.
These mothers are proud of their daughters
and are committed to setting examples
of service.
“I think as a parent, if your children see you
volunteering your time and energy for any
wonderful cause, they will learn to be selfless
and generous young adults themselves,” says
Ms. Vincek. db
approaches. “With this research grant, I’ve
gone a step further. I also learned that to
fully take on research you have to be really
self-motivated. It is very detailed and time
consuming. As a student researcher, I feel
more responsible for my own education.”
As part of this grant funding, a number of
dance students presented their research
findings at the Undergraduate Research
Symposium hosted by the Office of
Undergraduate Research in November.
Taking top honors as Outstanding Research
Presentation were senior Martha Dobbs
and junior Kate Vincek for their project,
Solo Forms in Contemporary Choreography:
Performance & Analysis of Jan Van Dyke’s
Luna.
To learn more about these projects, email
drisner@wayne.edu with Student
Research in the subject line. db
Kate Vincek (‘10), Tiffany Janeway
(‘08) and Renee Westervelt (‘11) above;
Martha Dobbs (‘09) (right)
Performing Jan Van Dyke’s SPIKE (1982)
2 dancebreak
DW’S CINCINNATI DEBUT
In its 80th anniversary year, Wayne State University’s Dance Workshop
continues to distinguish itself with 2008 American College Dance Festival
honors and its New York City debut last March. Fresh on the heels of its
NYC premiere, WSU Dance Workshop, directed by Dr. Doug Risner and Ali
Woerner, made its professional debut last summer in the 35th anniversary
celebration concerts of Cincinnati’s Contemporary Dance Theater (CDT).
Performing Jan Van Dyke’s seminal work, SPIKE (1982), originally commissioned
by CDT, Dance Workshop continues to establish itself as a university
dance company of national prominence for outstanding performance and
choreography in the real world, well before students graduate. Co-director
Ali Woerner notes “Dance Workshop dancers not only performed beautifully
in a professional concert, but were given the rare opportunity to connect
with the original cast of SPIKE from twenty-six years earlier, allowing for a
truly remarkable experience for everyone involved.” db

In the Wings:
Allesee Artists-in-Residence enhance the
80th Annual Spring Concert
This year the department has enjoyed
residencies of two outstanding guest
artists—Ray Mercer and Nicholas
Leichter. The residencies provide
students with the opportunity
to work with a many prominent
choreographers, building networks
and encountering new movement
styles and choreographic approaches.
Nicholas Leichter’s work, Killa, is influenced
by his eclectic experiences in social and concert
dance. Killa references the high level
of energy required to execute the
movement, reflective of hip hop and
African dance styles. The piece has
musical references to different times in
musical and political history, and builds
to a high point of community power.
His residency in Detroit has led to the
invitation of three dancers to perform
with his company this summer at the
Joyce Theatre in New York City.
Alex Martin, Bryan Strimpel, and
Kate Vincek will join Leichter’s
company in June.
Love Games, by Ray Mercer, is the product
of another residency. This highly emotional
piece provides glimpses of three
couples, showing the tenderness,
playfulness, heartbreak, sensuality
and rawness that exists in
relationships.
Both of these artists come from
New York City, Leichter from the
world of modern dance and Mercer
from Broadway. Both appreciated
the work ethic of the dancers as
well as their considerable skill.
“Working with Ray Mercer was
an experience of lifetime,” said
junior Marlo Mysliwiec. Junior
Alex Martin echoed that sentiment
in her experience with Leichter. “I have never
worked so hard,” she said.
The Spring Concert features various
works choreographed by members
of the faculty as well as pieces from
talented dance students. Outstanding
student works selected for inclusion
in the program include Under Mine,
a self-choreographed solo by junior
Kate Vincek, and Area of Stability by
Alex Martin. These two pieces will
also represent the department at the
regional conference of the American
College Dance Festival Association in
Akron, OH March 18-21.
The concert also features works by
faculty members Linda Simmons,
Samantha Shelton, and Ali Woerner.
db
dancebreak-ing News
ONSTAGE!
dance theatre for youth
In its 55th year, Linda Simmons returns
as director of the Department’s Dance
CompanyOne On Stage! touring program with
a multi-media production co-created with Kelly
Gottesman.
“Roling on the River – 300 Years of Social Dance
in Detroit” is scheduled for performances
throughout the greater metropolitan Detroit
area and include a performance in Windsor,
Canada.
Among the scheduled On Stage! performances
is an engagement at Spain Elementary and
Middle School as a part of the Department’s
ongoing Village School program.
The Village School is a community outreach
program directed by Ms. Simmons which
brings WSU dancers, community artists and
DPS students and teachers together for shared
learning. Village School partners Reginald and
Marca Pettibone were instrumental in the
development of the On Stage! production.
Through a workshop with WSU Dance
CompanyOne, the Pettibones acquainted
dancers with traditional Native American
culture and contributed script ideas, visuals and
movement authenticity to the Native American
segment which opens this year’s production of
“Rolling on the River”.
Upcoming Village School activities at Spain
Elementary and Middle School include
workshops in Capoeira and Afro-Brazilian
culture conducted by Israeli –born Village
partner Baz Michaeli. db
This semester Jon Anderson joins the dance
department as the new Dance Media &
Production Coordinator. In April, he has been
invited to perform his interactive electronic
composition for string bass and computer at
the Society for Electroacoustic Music in the U.S.
(SEAMUS) 2009 National Conference in Fort
Wayne, Indiana.
Dewarne Long is the dance teacher at Arts
Academy in the Woods and Director of the
AAW Dance Company. He is a candidate for a
Master of Education in the College of Education
at Wayne State University.
Addison O’Day and his wife, Raphael, were
married in the Dominican Republic, and are
expecting a baby this summer.
Meg Paul is happily completing her first year
as a ballet instructor with the Department of
Dance. After a twenty-three year career as
dancer and performer with the Joffrey Ballet
and Broadway’s ‘Movin’ Out’, Meg moved to
Detroit with her family and currently is the
Director of Dance with the Music Hall Center
for the Performing Arts. She will direct her
third production of National City Stars of Ballet
and Broadway. She recently became a certified
yoga instructor with the Yoga Shelter and looks
forward to bringing Sanga Yoga to Detroit’s
downtown community.
Karen Prall recently studied with Penny
Godboldo, Mabiba Baegne, and Frederic
Leon, expanding her expertise in Dunham,
Congolese, and other styles of dance. She also
performed with the PG Institute at the African
World Festival in Detroit.
Jeff Michael Rebudal presented “The Role
of Dance and Choreography in Contemporary
Opera” at the Dance History Scholars Conference
at Skidmore College and presented a poster at
the National Opera Association Conference
in Washington, DC. He choreographed an
adaptation of Aristophanes’ “Democracy” in
Spetses, Greece, and continued opera and
dance research at the Teatro alla Scalla in
Milano, Italy. His company, Rebudal Dance,
performed for the Hatch Presenters Showcase
in Manhattan and just completed a filming
project that will be part of the first annual
Podcast Dance Festival in New York.
Dr. Doug Risner published his latest book
chapter in Dance in a World of Change:
Examining Globalization and Cultural
Differences. He and Jon Anderson co-authored
“Digital Dance Literacy: An Integrated Dance
Technology Curriculum Pilot Project,” in
Research in Dance Education May 2008. Later
in June, Risner presented the paper, “The
Politics of Gender in Dance Pedagogy” at
the National Dance Education Organization,
Towson University. Look for his article “More
Males Choosing Dance in Higher Education:
What They Want from a Degree” in February’s
Dance Studio Life magazine. Dr. Risner will
make international presentations at Dance &
the Child International (daCi) in Jamaica and at
the Congress on Research in Dance in Leicester,
UK in summer 2009.
Ray Robinson recently received a fellowship
to the International Council of Fine Arts Deans,
a program designed to cultivate future deans.
He is the departmental representative to NASD,
and had the pleasure of attending the national
meetings, where it was announced that the
department had been granted full institutional
membership in the organization. In addition
to normal chair duties, he continues to work
on his dissertation, studying individuals who
energize their organizations. He’ll be directing/
choreographing a musical theatre production
in Nauvoo, IL for the LDS Church this summer.
Samm Shelton recently joined the University
of Michigan School of Music, Theatre, &
Dance Alumni Society Board of Governors and
was appointed to the board of the Michigan
Dance Council. She will choreograph a new
ballet for the 2009 ABT Summer Intensive,
her 12th year on the summer intensive faculty.
Last year, she set the Czardas from Swan Lake
and choreographed a new piece to music by
Mozart. She also taught and choreographed for
a one-week summer program for the Macomb
Center for the Performing Arts and teaches at
the Detroit Opera House.
Ali Woerner premiered “Bottom Line”
for Dances in the Making at the Bonstelle
Theatre, and Word for Word for MoreDances
Contemporary Dance Company. She is working
on a new collaborative work with choreographer
Carolina Pahde M (Denver) which they plan to
perform and lecture regarding the process in
Cali, Columbia this spring at the Caliendanza
Festival. This summer she’ll be presenting at
the NDEO conference in NYC, teaching Jazz
Technique for the ABT Summer Intensive in
Detroit, and traveling on faculty with The
United States Tournament of Dance and Jazz
on Tap on Tour. db
dancebreak 3

db
dancersAbout
GRADUATES
(continued from page 1)
which allows her to not only dance but sing.
Emily also is a personal trainer. “Wayne State
really helped me to expand my knowledge of
dance. Not only did I learn how to become a
better dancer but I learned what dance meant
to me. I was able to break out of my shell and
I became a better dancer because of this.”
Hannah Risner (BFA ‘07) is residing in New
York where she is a Pilates trainer at Pilates on
Fifth. “Nothing surprised me coming out of
Wayne State. The teachers, guest choreographers,
and residencies really gave me a wide
variety of dance and training. I now feel comfortable
walking into any class because I have
been trained to be so versatile. My advice
would be to make sure you are always auditioning
and always performing. Take advantage
of every opportunity your given.”
Meghan Conway (BS ‘07) is currently
residing in New York. Her choreography has
won numerous awards at dance competitions
for its innovative and fresh outlook. She also
is working for Capezio dancewear out of New
York City. “Having the ability to perform and
choreograph has always been very important
to me. Wayne State University allowed me
not only to perform often but the ability to
hone in and develop my choreographic skills
throughout my four years.”
Kim Curtis (BS ‘07) is living in Westland,
Michigan. She is teaching three days a week at
the Dance Connection in Canton, Michigan.
Most recently she has become the Administrative
Assistant to Carol Halsted, director of
dance, at the Detroit Opera House. “I give
my heart to the amazing professors at Wayne
State. They molded me from a naive studio
dancer to a well educated artist that is ready
to lead and teach through my life.”
Della Hamby (BS ‘07) is currently residing
in Romulus, Michigan. You may recognize
her from MTV’s hit show America’s Next
Best Dance Crew. Her crew, A.S.I.I.D. is currently
waiting on results of voting that may
allow them to tour nationally with the show.
Della has also been involved with the Canabie
lake theme park show for four months,
she was part of the Disney Holiday Show for
three months, she danced in the Making the
Band 4 Show for Donnie, she was part of our
local Velocity show at Greektown Casino.
In between all of these performances and
endeavors she also teaches at the Bunny
Sanford School of Dance. “I never had legit
training before coming to Wayne State University.
I am the dancer I am today because
of my professors and guest artists. I also want
to give a special thanks to Stephen Stone for
his discipline and Meghan for helping me get
through college. My advice to other dancers
is my favorite quote: The more you sweat in
training the less you bleed in battle.”
It’s not just the class of ’07 doing exciting
things—here are some other alumni
updates—if we’ve missed you, please help us
by sending us your adventures, and the year
you graduated!
We’re in the schools:
Katie Bonbriscoe (‘07) teaches Pilates and
directs dance at Novi High School where
Katie Hinderliter (‘BS ‘04) also teaches,
Nicole Burrell (BS ‘98) teaches at Detroit
School of the Arts, Dewarne Long (BS ‘03)
is teaching at the Arts Academy in the Woods
and WSU, and Stephanie Schinke (BS ‘97)
at Southfield Lathrup High School.
We’re across the country:
Sonya Tayeh (BS ‘99) continues to make
big splashes for her choreographic contributions
to the hit TV show So You Think You
Can Dance, Chris Masters (BS ‘99) travels
while maintaining his Mack Avenue Dance
Co., Rita Honka (BS ‘82) is on the faculty
at University of Oregon. db
dancebreak is distributed in
summer and winter each year to the
alumni, friends, students, and parents of the
Maggie Allesee Department of Dance
Contributors: Ray Robinson, Doug Risner,
Felicia Rose, Linda Cleveland Simmons
Editor: Ray Robinson
Design & Layout: Jon Anderson
Wayne State University
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