You'll Learn from the Masters
One of the most exciting opportunities we offer dance majors at Mason is the experience of performing in significant dance works by master choreographers.
The students were extremely professional and well rehearsed, which speaks well for George Mason University’s dance program. The twelve student dancers stood out, but ironically for the fact that they blended so seamlessly into Varone’s work.
Guest Residencies for 2023
Our upcoming Gala Concert on March 24 and 25, will feature four full-length works by four renowned choreographers. Our dancers worked hard over winter break at learning new repertoire. See two of the guest artists at work in the videos below:
Fiona Jopp of Sydney Dance Company re-staging Rafael Bonachela’s 'Variation' 10.
Elisa Clark Staging 'Awakening' by Robert Battle
2022 Camille A. Brown Masterclass
Camille A. Brown and Dancers performed at the Center for the Arts in April of 2022 but before that gave a masterclass to juniors and seniors at the School of Dance. She was also one of the four acclaimed choreographers showcased in the 2022 Mason Dance Gala Concert.
Camille A. Brown is a prolific Black female choreographer, who is reclaiming the cultural narratives of African American identity. Some of her most recent artistic endeavors include being co-director and choreographer for New York Metropolitan Opera’s production of Fire Shut Up in My Bones and choreographer of Porgy and Bess. She has also directed and choreographed the upcoming Broadway revival of for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf, which opened April 1, 2022. Her bold work taps into both ancestral stories and contemporary culture to capture a range of deeply personal experiences, empowering Black bodies to tell their story using their own language through movement and dialogue.
A Tribute to Susan Shields's 'Sunlit Song.'
2018 Invitation to perform Brahms Symphony at the Joyce Theater in New York City with Lar Lubovitch.
2019 Masterclass with RUBBERBAND Dance Group
Australia's Fiona Jopp works with Mason dancers
Alumna Kim Davis returns to give masterclass
Remembering Her Roots
Mason Alum Shares Knowledge
Our guest artist residencies are intense learning opportunities. After choreographers choose their casts, a challenging 10-day rehearsal period begins that parallels a professional work schedule. These long days result in a finished work that is performed in our 2,000-seat concert hall. Artists often return for the performances. We also enjoy watching our alums return to perform on the same stage where they began.
Guests artists have included such well-known names as: Lucinda Childs, Jean Emile, Nacho Duato, Mark Morris, Lar Lubovitch, Alejandro Cerrudo, Kyle Abraham, Ulysses Dove, Doug Varone, David Parsons.
See a list of past guest artists.
Students make connections that are invaluable to their careers.
We believe dancers learn best through dancing – there's no better way to grow artistically than by working and learning within some of the most compelling pieces. The variety, the intensity, the vibrancy of being part of something excellent is what these residencies are about.
Everyone in my company loves visiting George Mason University. It’s a place where we can perform for an audience that loves dance and a place where we can teach students who love to dance. What could be better than that? It’s an inspiring environment. …I hold George Mason University’s dance program in high regard. The program is really doing something right.