Miami, March 13, 2019 – Miami Dade College’s (MDC) Kendall Campus present its annual Artistry in Rhythm (A.I.R.) Dance Conference, which will celebrate diversity, creativity, and gender fluidity on Thursday, March 21 to Saturday, March 23. This year’s theme of GRANDE FETE: Uncloaking the Truths Behind Intersectionalities is an exploration, examination and experimentation of the Victorian Era from a global perspective and its effects on the contemporary social climate of today.
Produced by the MDC Kendall Campus Dance Department, A.I.R. Dance Conference is a scholarly dance event which seeks to explore the significance of community engagement through the vernacular of dance, encourage community growth and development, as well as enhance the academic environment, while focusing on recruitment. The conference will include a host of master dance classes, lecture/demonstrations, and performances. Participants will have the opportunity to take classes in Social Dance, Somatics, Body Conditioning, Ballet, Contemporary Modern, Swing, Afro-fusion and Hip-hop dance styles. Additionally, they will experience dance that is educational, rich in diversity, engaging, and historical. Participants will receive the opportunity to meet world renown dancers, artists, and choreographers while attending the conference.
This year’s MDC’s A.I.R. Dance Conference 2019 Honoree is Lourdes Lopez, the Artistic Director of Miami City Ballet. Lopez has become one of the ballet world’s most prominent and accomplished contributors. Dance Magazine named her a 2018 recipient of its prestigious Dance Magazine Awards, choosing Lopez for her “admirable stewardship of Miami City Ballet, building upon the company’s Balanchine legacy while also embracing the local culture and community of Miami,” and as “an exemplary leader, someone whom dancers look up to and are inspired by.” In 2017, the magazine also named her one of “The Most Influential People in Dance Today”. She became Artistic Director of Miami City Ballet in 2012. As a Soloist and Principal Dancer with New York City Ballet, Lopez danced for two legends of the art form, George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins. Under Lopez’s direction, Miami City Ballet has become one of the country’s premier ballet companies. Lopez has served as WNBC-TV in New York as a Cultural Arts reporter, full-time senior faculty member and Director of Student Placement, Student Evaluation and Curriculum Planning at New York’s Ballet Academy East, Executive Director of The George Balanchine Foundation, co-founder of The Cuban Artists Fund, and has served on the Ford Foundation’s Board of Trustees.
As this year’s honoree, Lopez and MCB Dance Faculty joins A.I.R. Dance faculty by teaching master classes daily at 10:15 a.m. – 11:15 am. Other guest artists include Clarence Brooks (Florida Atlantic University), Michael Foley (University of South Florida), Kieron Sargeant (Florida State University), and Alex Revis (Pinecrest Brains and Body), to name a few.
MDC students, faculty and staff, Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS), dance professionals, dance studios, colleges and universities are invited to participate in this educational, and exciting celebration of dance. The cost of the conference is $25 for MDC students with an active ID and Miami-Dade County Public School students. It is $50 for all other guests. The daily rates are $15 daily and $5 per class. The registration fee includes three days of dance and one ticket to each A.I.R. Dance Concert.
For a complete schedule of events and to register please visit: https://tickets.completeticketsolutions.com/MDC/Online/default.asp
About MDC Kendall Campus’ Music, Theater and Dance Department
At the department of Music, Theater and Dance, passion for expression takes center stage. Featuring a distinguished faculty comprised of highly-skilled artists and scholars, state-of-the-art facilities and performance opportunities, the department guides and develops the artistic, intellectual, and professional growth of its students. The music, theater and dance programs offer unparalleled experiences, connecting classroom activities with current discourses in cultural studies and the performing arts as well as intellectual enrichment through exposure to visiting artists, scholars and experts in each respective field.
For more information, please contact Michelle Grant-Murray (305)237-2638 or e-mail: mgrantmu@mdc.edu