Two Professors To Be Awarded At Dance Conference

Two professors in the Texas A&M Dance Program have received prestigious awards from the National Dance Society (NDS). Clinical Associate Professor Christine Bergeron and Instructional Assistant Professor Alexandra Pooley will be presented with their awards at the National Dance Society’s inaugural dance conference held in the PEAP Building from August 5-7.

The three-day conference will feature innovative sessions and round-table discussions designed for members of the dance community nationwide. Attendance will include k-12 educators, dance therapists, fitness instructors, and many more. The conference will also showcase different dance collaborations that will be performed by Texas A&M dance students in the program.

“We’re very excited to be hosting the conference. The National Dance Society’s mission statement is ‘dance for all.’ They want dance to be encompassing and they look at dance from all aspects including the non-dancer all the way through the professional dancer and how we all fit into dance in society,” said Bergeron.

Bergeron, who is the recipient of the DNC College University Dance Master Educator of the Year Award, said dance education happens far beyond the classroom.

“There is so much teaching and mentoring that goes on in our own rehearsals when working with students about artistry and technique,” she said. “For me, this award is validation for the work that I do and it’s humbling when colleagues in your field recognize the things that may not be seen every day.”

Pooley is the recipient of the Young Dance Professional Award of the Year Award — her first DNC award.

“Earning this [award] gives me the hunger to keep doing what I am doing,” she said. “For dancers, teaching does become such a part of the entire experience in one way or another and it works all works hand in hand with one’s success.”

One of the guests at the conference will be Jane Weiner. Weiner is the Artistic Director of Hope Stone Dance; a Houston-based dance organization that promotes dance programs within communities and will be a featured guest artist for a master class titled: “Dance for the Brain and Heart.”

“There will be a lot different kinds of aspects present,” said Bergeron. “Within our field, we want a continued integration that allows our students to use different dance practices and still push the boundaries of what the art form ask for.”

More information can be found on the National Dance Society website.