Senior Choreographers
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The Senior Project is the capstone experience of both BA or BFA degrees in Dance. It is an independently directed endeavor and in-depth experience that is meant to expand one's knowledge, expertise, sensitivity, and ability in a specific area albeit choreography, teaching, or research. This project is designed by the student and extends well beyond the typical classroom experience.
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Please join us in viewing snapshots of dances that were intended to be completed and performed in Dance Up Close.
Lizzie Archer
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"Something Chewy"
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Transferring. This work explores how images, movement, ideas, and experiences are transferred among humans. The rehearsal process included college desks that served the dancers in both conventional and unconventional ways- have you ever seen a chair mountain? Animal Collective, Supertramp, and Deerhunter had been foundational music groups that filled the rehearsal space with alternative tunes to guide and influence the movement. In an effort to explore what it means to "transfer" knowledge- this process was collaborative and each dancer contributed movement, concepts, and lots of laughter.
Mackenzie Black
Untitled
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This piece was meant to illustrate the culmination of my research regarding the hypersexualization of various dance moves/styles. My goal was to create a piece that utilizes these over-sexualized movements to embody strength and power rather than blatant sexuality.
William Copeland
"The Groovement"
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This project explored the cultivation of a community of hip-hop artists across all disciplines of dance, music, visual arts, and fashion. This group, called The Groovement, is based in the Missoula community and aims to bring the artistic aspects of hip-hop culture to the state of Montana. As is the case with hip-hop, this group is continually evolving through the exploration of each individual's artistic voice that contributes to the vision of the collective.
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*not all members present in the photo
Rakel Tangvald
Untitled
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With the help of the dance community, I am constructing a film that explores and celebrates the evolution of heels and heels dance. Collaborating with a different group of humans every rehearsal, we personify different eras of heels history. The process continues in post-production, collectively creating a celebration of empowerment through heels dance.
* Some photos accompanying artist statements were taken before campus closure and “stay at home” regulations were in place.