Fayetteville State to Host “Movement is a Mindset” Dance Workshop Sept. 26-27
Guest artists from NYU’s Tish, Duke and Broadway Dance Center will lead workshops and host a mock audition. Free registration; space is limited.
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Fayetteville State University’s Department of Performing and Fine Arts invites the campus community and the greater Fayetteville area to attend "Movement is a Mindset," a two-day series of workshops, discussions, and master classes held Sept. 26-27 in the FSU Student Center.
As a proud historically Black college and university with a strong legacy in the arts, FSU organized this event to celebrate dance as an academic discipline and a powerful form of cultural expression. Associate Professor of Dance Avis Hatcher-Puzzo curated the program in collaboration with the Collegium for African Diaspora Dance, a nationally recognized organization focused on research, performance, and education in dance from the African diaspora.
"Movement is a Mindset" welcomes participants of all backgrounds and experience levels. The two-day schedule includes educational sessions, commercial dance workshops, and opportunities to engage with nationally renowned performers and choreographers.
Friday, Sept. 26
The first day features concurrent workshops designed for high school students, FSU dancers, and local educators. These sessions are open to all skill levels and provide strategies for using movement as a tool in education and leadership development.
Featured presenters include:
- André Zachery, faculty member of the NYU Tisch School of the Arts, presenting a contemporary hip-hop approach
- Takiyah Num Amim, educator at Virginia Tech and UNC Charlotte, leading a session titled "Dance as an Academic Discipline"
- Ava LaVonne Vinesett, professor at Duke University and member of Indigo Yard Gals, teaching Afro-modern, creative movement
- Makeda Thomas, director of the Dance and Performance Institute in Trinidad and Tobago, presenting Caribbean dance techniques
Saturday, Sept. 27
The second day features a full lineup of commercial dance workshops tailored to students from HBCUs. Sessions include:
- Heels
- Afrobarre, inspired by Pure Barre and Les Mills
- AfroHouse
- How to Teach Hip-Hop Dance
Featured presenters include:
- David Thomas, choreographer at Broadway Dance Center and founder of We Run This: The Collective
- Kalito Luna, company member and alum of Reid Ross Classical School and Koffee Dance Company
- Fayetteville State alums and regional dance professionals leading additional sessions
In the afternoon, a professional hip-hop combination class will be offered, followed by a mock audition that provides participants with an inside look at the expectations and performance standards of the commercial dance industry.
Registration and Details
- Registration is free but required.
- Space is limited; early registration is encouraged.
- Register at the FSU Department of Performing and Fine Arts webpage: https://tinyurl.com/4678ze37
- Participants must be 16 or older to attend Saturday's session.
- Lunch will not be provided; attendees may bring a meal or visit the campus cafeteria.
For questions or accommodations, please contact Associate Professor Avis Hatcher-Puzzo at ahatche1@uncfsu.edu.