Events and News

New Faculty and Staff Announced

The Department of Dance is very pleased to welcome several new faculty and staff members for the 2009-10 academic year.  These exceptional appointments indicate the new level of energy and vitality in the program, and will substantially advance the overall reputation of the Department.

Miriam Phillips is joining the faculty of the Department of Dance as Assistant Professor of Dance History/Theory and Dance in World Cultures, effective August 2009.  Miriam brings a broad range of experience and impressive credentials to this position.  She holds an MA, and CMA certification, as well as impressive studio credentials.  Miriam has a significant scholarly profile, as evidenced by the invitation she received to join an interdisciplinary research team from Yale University, on a research project in Guinea.  This project, funded by the NEH, promises to yield an exhibit and a book. Miriam has experience teaching courses in: World Dance/Dance in Culture; Flamenco Dance:  Studio and Theory; Cross-Cultural Interaction of Dance Forms:  Kathak and Flamenco; and Dance Ethnology. 

Miriam's background in the studio, along with her ongoing research agenda, makes her a very strong addition to the Dance faculty.

Pending final approval of the Provost and President, Sara Pearson and Patrik Widrig are joining the faculty of the Department of Dance as Associate Professors of Choreography and Technique in August 2009, sharing the position in a unique arrangement that will bring both of these acclaimed dance artists and educators to campus.  Sara and Patrik are co-artistic directors of PEARSONWIDRIG DANCETHEATER, based in New York City, and both are internationally recognized artists who tour extensively and are sought after as guest artists.  The Department of Dance has been privileged to have worked with both of them in that capacity.  Sara and Patrik have toured throughout the U.S. and Europe, India, Japan, Latin America, and New Zealand, as well as performing at New York's Joyce Theater, the City Center Fall for Dance festival, Central Park SummerStage, Lincoln Center, Dance Theater Workshop, the Kitchen, Danspace Project, P.S. 122, and Dancing in the Streets.  Sara and Patrik are master teachers in technique, improvisation, and choreography who have a reputation for their ability to mentor young emerging artists. Patrik was educated in Switzerland; Sara holds a BA from the University of Minnesota.  At present, they are both on the faculty of The Julliard School.

Sara and Patrik will bring an exciting, dynamic combination of extraordinary professional credentials and bold educational philosophies to the Department.  Their joint appointment will dramatically raise the national and international profile of Dance at Maryland.

Erin Glasspatrick joins the staff of the Department of Dance in the newly created position of Production Coordinator, as of June 15, 2009.  Erin received her MFA in Stage Management from the University of Iowa in May 2009, where her major graduate assistantship duties were completed in the Dance program. Aside from her experience in stage management and production management, Erin has experience as a lighting designer as well.

As Production Coordinator, Erin will serve as the main departmental contact with CSPAC staff, handle all scheduling, communications, and production details within the Department, as well as all details related to Visiting Artists.