The spring semester is always busy for the dance program, and it became busier after our success at our regional American College Dance Association (ACDA). We were delighted that one of our student works, "She Can't Translate What the Heart Wants to Say" by Ryleigh deMontalvo, was selected for the gala concert at the end of the conference. Out of 46 dances,  her work was selected as one of the three to move on to Nationals conference held in Washington, D.C. May 2-4. 

deMontalvo, a senior BFA dance major, explains the impact of being selected as part of the National Festival: 

I am so excited for this amazing opportunity! This piece was very personal to me and to see it come alive by my amazing dancers is more amazing than words can describe! The best part about this experience has been and always will be getting to work with my amazing dancers!

Her cast feels the same. "Performing Ryleigh’s piece at the ACDA Gala was an incredible experience, and it made me feel so fulfilled to hear all the wonderful feedback from the adjudicators and other students,” said Melissa Casillas, a third-year BFA dance major. “Attending ACDA Nationals has been a dream of mine since my freshman year, so having the chance to represent my school and program with such a powerful piece is truly so exciting. And I can't thank enough the support of our professors, school, and college for making the trip happen for us."

The National College Dance Festival, a biennial event, showcases dances selected by adjudicators from each of the regional conferences based on their outstanding artistic excellence and merit. The primary objective of the National Festival is to highlight the outstanding quality of choreography and performance created on college and university campuses.

This is our first time our dance program has earned the honor of being featured at the ACDA National College Dance Festival - a huge distinction of excellence for our program and for our student choreographer and performers. And, of course, it’s also reflects the strong work of both our faculty and students. 

Jenni Payne, a first year BFA dance major, reflected on her experience at the National festival:  “Knowing we made history for the dance program by going to ACDA nationals was really cool; It showed me that I can accomplish lots of things in my next three years at Texas Tech. Being in Washington, DC and watching dances from other colleges helped open my eyes to the incredible work of others happening all around the country, and the different ways dance and art is interpreted."

During the festival, students took from other faculty and guest companies, while witnessing the work of other universities.  Camille Benton, a first year BFA Musical Theatre major and dance minor, feels that summed up her experience on the trip. “the trip to Washington D.C. was amazing for ACDA Nationals! I am beyond grateful to have gotten the opportunity to perform amongst other talented artists. It was beautiful to be able to watch and meet these incredible artists as well as perform in such a beautiful place.” 

Melissa Brading, Assistant Professor of Practice and faculty mentor for our student choreographers, attended both the regional and national festival: “I was able to attend the ACDA National conference as a performer when I was an undergraduate student, and it was truly a remarkable and exciting moment for me to return in this capacity. I am so pleased that our students have the opportunity to share their hard work on a national level. I have the privilege to see the senior pieces from the very beginning, and it's satisfying as a professor to see your student start with an idea and be a witness as it transforms and surpasses all expectations. I'm exceptionally proud of the work Ryleigh and her cast have done.”

I couldn’t agree more with Professor Brading’s sentiments. Performing on the grand stage in our nation’s capital is rare, the sort of experience our students will never forget. Being invited to DC is one of the highest honors in our field, and we are beyond proud of this accomplishment, metaphorically the cherry on top of the cake for our program, if you will. 

This has been an important year for dance. Not only were we recently recredited, but we have made new exciting new curricular changes and hired phenomenal faculty over the past few years. It’s especially thrilling to see our program celebrated at both the regional and national level. To say I’m proud is a huge understatement.