Tennessee Governor's School for the Arts
Dance
Tennessee’s Best Summer Dance Program
Dance is a means of self-awareness and a fundamental form of communication as well as a performance art. Students of an age and readiness for the Governor’s School for the Arts are exposed to an intensive multifaceted program within a community of interdisciplinary arts professionals and aspirants – a stimulating environment which facilitates learning.
The Governor’s School Dance Experience
In addition to the technical benefits of an intensive dance program, the Governor’s School experience is intended to:
- Engage the imagination
- Encourage intellectual curiosity and creative thinking
- Improve self-discipline
- Enhance decision making particularly with regard to career choices
Governor’s School students learn that dance is inherent to our heritage and world and that of others around us. Students are encouraged to perceive, evaluate, and understand dance as a conveyor of culture. The program strives to integrate and enrich the balanced development of the whole person.
Selection Process
Applicants will participate in a two-hour dance class — including ballet and modern dance — as their audition. Girls should bring pink tights, pink ballet shoes, and point shoes. The modern section of the class will be in bare feet, so wear tights that can be adjusted for this part of the audition. Hair should be properly secured off the neck, preferably in a bun. No leg warmers, sweatshirts, or baggy plastic pants. Boys should bring white t-shirts, black tights, and appropriate dance shoes. Students must perform at an intermediate or advanced level, and must demonstrate a high level of sustained interest and involvement in dance. Please refer to the application for more specific criteria.
Dance Faculty
Laurie Merriman
Daniel Karasik
Gregory T. Merriman
Shabaz Ujima
Mollie Sansone
Maxx Reed
Guest Faculty
Alexandra Winer
Kayla Rowser
Noelia Garcia Carmona
Lindsay McNeal Ison
Daniel Rodriguez
Martin O’Connor
Jennifer Ross-Craze
Dance – Accompanist
Michael Min
Todd London
Dance Administrative Staff
Christen Heilman
John Underwood
