UNC Charlotte Dance

UNC Charlotte Dance The UNC Charlotte Department of Dance offers students a diverse and eclectic dance experience, in st

Dance study is enhanced by the interdisciplinary nature of our College of the Arts + Architecture, study abroad opportunities, and the activities of a vibrant campus and the bustling, arts-minded city of Charlotte. Our mission is to contribute innovation and leadership to the field through creative/scholarly research, teaching, service, and community engagement. Through comprehensive, innovative c

ourses we provide our diverse student body with an exemplary liberal arts education grounded in dance as a cultural practice, art form, and interdisciplinary subject. We embrace and celebrate dance as a way of learning about ourselves and the world around us. Committed to access, equity, and inclusion, our program develops artists, educators, scholars, and arts-literate citizens who can thrive in an increasingly complex global environment and make sustained contributions to their communities.

Congrats to all involved in the "No Tears Project," presented by Assistant Professor of Dance Ashley L. Tate on April 25...
05/20/2026

Congrats to all involved in the "No Tears Project," presented by Assistant Professor of Dance Ashley L. Tate on April 25! đź’§

"The No Tears Project is both a performance and a living archive, an artistic and musical exploration of resilience, memory and justice," says Ashley.

With musical directors Christopher Parker and Kelley Hurt at the center of its creation, the work’s music and spirit helped bring the dancers to life and keep them grounded in something honest and present throughout the process.

"I led the students through embodied research, choreography and improvisation, working with them as they approached the piece with care, focus and openness in rehearsal and performance," Ashley continues. "I’m really grateful for the way dancers and musicians met each other in the work with trust and openness."

No Tears Project was founded in 2017 with a musical composition created to honor the history of the Little Rock Nine in Arkansas. It's gone on to have performances in Missouri, Tennessee, Mississippi, and now Charlotte, honoring civil rights history in each city through new compositions.
Charlotte dance students and alumni involved in the performance included Kaitlyn Bego, Quenton Bowman, Christian Bryant, Angel Cox, Abbi Gray, Alexis Holloway, Amaree Ratliff, Kari Sescourka, Macy Turner, Alex Wood, Maddie Worsley, Sophia Batista, Sydney Lin and Riley McGowan, along with music students Conner Oglesby and Josepp-Inés Jones.

📸: Toby Schuetze

Three CoA+A faculty receive Creative Renewal Fellowships from the Arts & Science Council 🌟Professor of Dance Kim Jones, ...
05/15/2026

Three CoA+A faculty receive Creative Renewal Fellowships from the Arts & Science Council 🌟

Professor of Dance Kim Jones, Professor of Art Marek Ranis and Assistant Professor of Dance Ashley L. Tate are among 10 local artists awarded the fellowship, which is designed to "reinvigorate experienced artists by offering the time, resources and freedom to explore new directions, deepen their practice and sustain their long-term creative vitality in Charlotte-Mecklenburg."

Ashley will attend the Versa-Style Dance Intensive in Los Angeles, a six-day immersive program in hip-hop and street dance with master choreographers, deepening her practice in house, locking and whacking while developing new choreographic work that integrates street dance with contemporary and interdisciplinary approaches.
Marek will expand "Landscape of Identity," his long-term project exploring how landscapes shape personal and collective identities in the context of environmental change and human migration. He began the project in 2024 in Norway and this summer will expand it to Finland through two artist residencies, collaborating with multi-generational farming families, Sámi community members, and immigrants and newcomers.

Kim will travel to NYC and Korea for mentorship, observation, documentation and artistic exchange with elder practitioners who are recognized as cultural heritage carriers as part of "Echoes of the Drum: Reconnecting Korean Folk Lineage in Contemporary Dance Practices." This builds on years of research into the life and work of Choi Seung-Hee, an artist who is regarded as the first Korean modern dancer.
Congratulations, Ashley, Marek and Kim đź‘Ź
📸: Toby Schuetze, Marek Ranis, Botticelli Foto

Professor’s new book demonstrates continued leadership in Odissi dance research.In 2019, not long after joining the Char...
05/14/2026

Professor’s new book demonstrates continued leadership in Odissi dance research.

In 2019, not long after joining the Charlotte dance faculty, Associate Professor Kaustavi Sarkar founded a conference and festival dedicated to the research and performance of Odissi, the centuries-old East Indian dance form she has practiced since childhood.

That first year more than one hundred practitioners and scholars of Odissi dance came from across the globe to UNC Charlotte to participate.

Presented annually, “Odyssey/Odissi” has become the largest gathering of Odissi artists outside of India. Its workshops, classes and public concerts, held in Robinson Hall, continue to draw an intergenerational audience of international, national and local participants.

Sarkar’s new book, “Shaping S Curves: Choreographic Process in Odissi,” brings together discoveries from those conference experiences and from her decades as a student, teacher and professional performer to explore choreographic principles and techniques in Odissi Indian dance.

Published by the J. Murrey Atkins Library through UNC Press, the book builds upon Sarkar’s ongoing scholarship, artistic creation and community-engaged entrepreneurship to demonstrate leadership in Odissi dance research.

Sarkar trained extensively in her native India and received a Ph.D. in Dance Studies from The Ohio State University. She is the only Odissi/Indian dance specialist in the UNC System.

In 2022, Sarkar received the University’s James H. Woodward Faculty Research Award. That same year she founded the journal South Asian Dance Intersections, a scholarly outgrowth of her annual conference. She was also awarded a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts for her choreographic project, “ShilpaNatyam: Creating a New Vocabulary in Indian Dance,” her second NEA grant.

Sarkar’s practice-based research methodology is evident in “Shaping S-Curves.” Designed for artists, practitioners, teachers and students of Odissi, the book pairs sections on choreographic theory with case studies and includes sample curricula and pedagogical resource guides. It becomes available on May 15.

Come out to support students, alums, and faculty of the Department of Dance this weekend at Movement Migration's "Moonli...
05/08/2026

Come out to support students, alums, and faculty of the Department of Dance this weekend at Movement Migration's "Moonlight in Motion" 🌙✨ – May 8 & 9 at The Long Room!

Associate Professor of Dance and Artistic Director of Movement Migration Kim Jones presents "Moonlight in Motion," an intimate evening of live piano and modern dance.

The program centers on celebrated works by composers Frédéric Chopin, Franz Liszt, and Ludwig van Beethoven, including the beloved “Moonlight Sonata” and reflective “Nocturne in A-flat Major, Op. 32” performed alongside the dancers by Department of Music pianist Claudio Olivera.

Featured performers include professors of dance E.E. Balcos, Tamara Williams and Kaustavi Sarkar and alumna Cecilia Whalen ’21. UNC Charlotte dance students will also join the program for a special GRAHAM100 performance of Martha Graham’s “Adorations,” reimagined by Kim Jones, and a structured improvisation piece by student Abbi Gray.

There are still a few tickets left! ➡️ https://movementmigration.org/performances/movement-migrations-moonlight-in-motion

“Moonlight in Motion” is supported, in part, by the Venue Access Grant, funded by Mecklenburg County and proudly administered by the Arts & Science Council.

Graduation Spotlight 🎓 // By the time Keegan Martin was a junior in high school, she already had nearly 15 years of danc...
05/05/2026

Graduation Spotlight 🎓 // By the time Keegan Martin was a junior in high school, she already had nearly 15 years of dance on her resumé — and a hip surgery ahead of her.

That experience became a defining moment. "I found that as I healed mentally, my physical healing was progressing more rapidly," she wrote.

"After that, I became fascinated with the way that the brain processes physical experiences, translating that to athletic performance. I also became deeply passionate about mental health resources being more accessible for athletes, specifically dancers."

She decided a dance and psychology double major would give her the knowledge she craved and a foundation for a meaningful career in sports/performing arts psychology.

Keegan graduates May 8 with a B.A. in Dance and a B.S. in Psychology. Before grad school, she'll pursue a career as a professional commercial dancer. This summer, she'll represent Team USA at the Dance World Cup in Ireland, the largest all-genre dance competition in the world, alongside two other Charlotte dance students.

At Charlotte, she's been an assistant to Professor Ashley L. Tate, chaired the dance department's student advisory board, and spent 3 years teaching at a local studio. "It's fulfilling to work with the kids and see their personalities grow," she said. Her psychology studies shaped her teaching too, helping her "read how students are coming into the space and push them to believe in what they can do."

"Keegan is a joy to work with... a beautiful dancer whose commitment and artistry consistently elevate every space she enters,” says Ashley.

Her psychology education also became a resource when she was recently diagnosed with ADHD. This spring, she choreographed “Divergent Pulse,” a work for the dance department’s student showcase in which she explored neurodivergence.

And she will draw upon her knowledge of mental health resources when she has yet another hip surgery at the end of the summer.

"Every opportunity from the past four years has fueled my passion for mental health considerations with athletes and has encouraged me to continue my education in this discipline.”

We are so proud of you, Keegan! đź’š

Photos by Toby Schuetze, Amy Hart, Hanna Wondmagegn. Keegan in Ashley Tate’s “Monachopsis” (2026), Kim Jones's "Vitruvian Wo(Man)" (2025), Guest Choreographer Robert Green's "Law of Humanity" (2024), and her choreography “Divergent Pulse” in the 2026 Under Construction showcase.

Congratulations to our Department of Dance students in their performances at BOOM CLT last weekend! This year, the Depa...
05/04/2026

Congratulations to our Department of Dance students in their performances at BOOM CLT last weekend! This year, the Department of Dance held a showcase on Saturday, May 2nd featuring works by Professor Tamara Williams and student works including Naiya Graham, Ella Zuchowski, and Chase McLean.

Professor Williams spearheaded this collaboration and we look forward to deepen this partnership with BOOM CLT for years to come.

Video footage shows three UNC dancers performing Professor Williams's choreography, "A Hymn for Duke" at the outdoor BOOM stage. The photo shows images of dancer and choreographer Ella Zuchowski presenting her work on the outdoor stage

Congratulations to Associate Professor of Dance Kaustavi Sarkar on the publication of her new book, “Shaping S Curves: C...
04/30/2026

Congratulations to Associate Professor of Dance Kaustavi Sarkar on the publication of her new book, “Shaping S Curves: Choreographic Process in Odissi”!

Published by the J. Murrey Atkins Library through UNC Press, the book builds upon Sarkar’s ongoing scholarship, artistic creation and community-engaged entrepreneurship to demonstrate leadership in Odissi dance research.

This weekend, the dance department presents the "Odyssey/Odissi" Festival that Sarkar launched in 2019. It has become the largest gathering of Odissi artists outside of India. Its workshops, classes and public concerts, held in Robinson Hall, continue to draw an intergenerational audience of international, national and local participants.

Learn more about the festival and Sarkar's important work here:
https://coaa.charlotte.edu/2026/04/21/professors-new-book-demonstrates-continued-leadership-in-odissi-dance-research/

The Department of Dance welcomed guest artist Jon Rua for a masterclass in April!Jon is an award-winning creative direct...
04/26/2026

The Department of Dance welcomed guest artist Jon Rua for a masterclass in April!

Jon is an award-winning creative director, choreographer, actor, writer and director and has danced for artists and brands including Mariah Carey, Phish, Don Omar, Soulja Boy, Target, Billboard, Puma, Reebok, IBM and Panasonic.

In 2025, he opened two Broadway shows — "Floyd Collins" and "BOOP!" — and set a world premiere for Giordano Dance Chicago. His Broadway credits as a performer include Tony-nominated "Hamilton," "SpongeBob Squarepants," "In The Heights," and "Hands on a Hardbody." As a choreographer, he has worked on regional productions of "West Side Story," "Jesus Christ Superstar," and "Rent," and contributed to productions for Phish at Madison Square Garden. He has also created work for film, television and music videos.

Jon visited our dance students to teach a combo, share advice, and answer questions about his career.

Thank you so much for joining us in the studio, Jon!

📸: Toby Schuetze

Charlotte dance faculty, students and alumni are performing across the city this spring!The semester is almost over, but...
04/24/2026

Charlotte dance faculty, students and alumni are performing across the city this spring!

The semester is almost over, but there are still opportunities to experience great dance by our dance family. See how these artists are contributing to Charlotte’s cultural vibrancy!

đź’§ No Tears Project
Saturday, Apr. 25 | 7:30 p.m.| Belk Theater | Free
Assistant Professor of Dance Ashley Tate hosts a Charlotte version of the "No Tears Project," a national program that interprets civil rights history through jazz music and dance.

🌟 Odyssey/Odissi Festival
Saturday, May 2 & Sunday, May 3 | 2 p.m. & 7 p.m. | Robinson Hall
Organized by Associate Professor of Dance Kaustavi Sarkar, “Odyssey/ Odissi ” brings together artists, educators, scholars, and students to explore diasporic Indian arts through community-engaged research and performance.

🌙 Movement Migration present "Moonlight in Motion"
Friday, May 8 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, May 9 at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. | The Long Room
Associate Professor of Dance and Artistic Director of Movement Migration Kim Jones presents "Moonlight in Motion," an intimate evening of live piano and modern dance celebrating works by composers Frédéric Chopin, Franz Liszt, and Ludwig van Beethoven. Featured performers include professors of dance E.E. Balcos, Tamara Williams and Kaustavi Sarkar, alumna Cecilia Whalen ’21 and UNC Charlotte dance students.

🩵 Baran Dance presents "BDXM"
Friday, June 5 and Saturday, June 6 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, June 7 at 6 p.m. | ODS
Adjunct Lecturer and Distinguished Alumna Audrey Baran's company, Baran Dance, presents "BDXM," a collaboration with musical powerhouse Moa for an immersive experience merging movement and live music.

Many dance alumni are also performing as part of Kinetic Works' 2026 Choreographers Residency Project! The performance will take place April 25 and 26 at 7 p.m. at Open Door Studios and will feature new choreographic work by local choreographers Sarah Council, Ledarius Parker, Sarah Ingel and Maurice Watson.

This Saturday! Assistant Professor of Dance Ashley Tate hosts a Charlotte version of the "No Tears Project," a national ...
04/22/2026

This Saturday! Assistant Professor of Dance Ashley Tate hosts a Charlotte version of the "No Tears Project," a national program that interprets civil rights history through jazz music and dance. 7:30 p.m. in Robinson Hall.

The "No Tears Project" launched in 2017 in Little Rock, Arkansas, to honor the "Little Rock Nine," who in 1957 integrated the city's Central High School. Anchored by performances of the original composition, "No Tears Suite," by project founders Christopher Parker (pianist) and Kelley Hurt (vocalist),"No Tears" has toured to other cities across the South to commemorate key events of the Civil Rights Era -- including Memphis, St. Louis, and Jackson, Mississippi.

For this FREE program, Parker and Hurt will travel from Little Rock to join Tate and UNC Charlotte students and alumni for an inspiring performance that draws from the project's past programs and includes new material specific to Charlotte's history.

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Robinson Hall-9201 University City Boulevard
Charlotte, NC
28223

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+17046870225

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