News

Spring 2025 Guest Artists

Utah Tech Dance is excited to host four outstanding guests artists in the Spring 2025 semester. Each guest artist will host individual master classes focused on various dance genres and subjects. All students are invited and encouraged to attend!

L.D. Kidd Residency

Schedule of Classes 

February 11th

• 10:30-11:45 am | Composition I/II

February 12th

• 12:00-1:20 pm | Commercial Hip Hop
• 6:00-7:00 pm | Commercial Hip Hop

February 13th

• 5:00-6:20 pm | Hip Hop

February 14th

• 11:00-11:50 am | Brown Bag Lunch
• 1:30-2:50 pm | House Dance

February 18th

• 10:30-11:45 am | Composition I/II
• 12:00-1:20 pm | Latin Jazz

February 19th

• 11:00-11:50 am | Orientation to Dance Major

February 20th

• 1:30-2:50 pm | Musical Theatre Jazz
• 5:00-6:20 pm | Commercial Hip Hop

Artist Bio

L.D. is an interdisciplinary performer, choreographer, and abstract artist dedicated to amplifying marginalized voices through immersive artistic experiences and social justice initiatives. With over a decade of experience as an adjunct instructor at the University of Iowa, L.D. has taught a wide range of dance forms, including Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, and Jazz for Musical Theatre.

Nancy Smith Residency

Schedule of Classes

February 25th

• 9:00-10:15 am |Low Apparatus Master Class (16 Total)
• 1:30-2:50 pm | Creativity Toolbox Workshop

February 26th

• 9:00-9:50 am | Career Prep Seminar
• 11:0011:50 am | Dance Orientation Skinner Release plus Q&A

February 27th

• 9:00-10:15 am | Low-Low Apparatus Master Class (enrolled students only)

February 28th

• 12:00-1:20 pm | Creativity Toolbox Workshop

Artist Bio

Nancy Smith originally wanted to be an astronaut or racecar driver; instead she became the founder & artistic director of Frequent Flyers® Productions in 1988 and the Aerial Dance Festival in 1999. She teaches a variety of topics for FFs Professional Training students and teaches dance trapeze, invented apparatus and Skinner Releasing Technique around the country.

James and Brande Morrow Residency

Schedule of Classes

March 17th

• 9:00-9:50 am | Meet the Artists
• 11:00-11:50 am | Chicago House Dance Technique
• 12:00-1:20 pm | Urban Fusion
• 1:30-2:50 pm | Popping and Tutting

March 18th

• 9:00-10:15 am | Aerial Alchemy
• 11:00-11:50 am | Master Aerial Class: Rise and Release
• 12:00-1:20 pm | Urban Jazz
• 1:30-2:50 pm | Hip Hop

Artist Bio

James and Brande Morrow are a dynamic duo who will host their residency together, offering a unique blend of Urban and Aerial Dance. James is known for developing the “Urban Fusion” movement style currently embraced by Chicago Dance Crash while he was the founder and artistic director of the Chicago-based dance company, instruments and movement. Brande has been certified in group fitness through the Athletic and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) since 2011 and has been teaching group fitness, including aerial/circus arts since 2012.

Scholarship Audition

February 21st, 2025 

Graff Studio 101

11:30- Check in

12:00-12:45 Ballet

12:45-1:30 Modern

1:30-2:00 Improvisation

2:00 Interviews

Both incoming and returning students must register for the audition by Feb 14th.

Register for the audition by emailing Sara Gallo at sara.gallo@utahtech.edu with your intention to attend the audition. Sara will give you next steps and further information for the audition.

Dance Student, Anya Adib, winner of UT Research in a Minute Contest

Dance Major, Anya Adib, submitted her Research in a Minute film to Utah Tech University’s UT Research in a Minute Contest which placed her in the top five for the award.

Anya’s project focused on exploring how stage lighting can provide captivating visual effects can enhance dance choreography.

During Fall Semester, Anya had the chance to showcase her research and creative activities in the “UT Research in a Minute Contest.” Alongside her mentors, she prepared a one-minute video highlighting their research. She received a monetary prize and travel funding to present her research at an external conference.

We are very proud of Anya and her dedication to education and research.

Click the link to watch her award winning project!