According to Tauna Hunter, Chair of Mercyhurst University’s Dance Department, the department’s mission is to generate leadership for the dance field, through rigorous B.A. and B.F.A. programs emphasizing the development of professional dancers, teachers, choreographers and scholars through cognitive, affective, and psychomotor taxonomies. The Dance Department’s vision is to proliferate the art of dance while promoting excellence in leadership for the field. A classical ballet program rooted in a traditional liberal arts setting, we strive to make an impact on the survival of high quality ballet and the building of future leaders for the arts in this country.
Mercyhurst takes pride in their accreditation with the National Association of Schools of Dance as well as faculty prestige as an ABT® Certified Teacher, having completed the entire National Teacher Training Curriculum, Primary through Level 7 (Melissa Bobick).
Tauna stated that the biggest mistakes she has seen dancers make is engaging in negative self talk that spirals them into a path of low self-confidence. She believes they need to reframe fears and failures into positive stepping stones in which they can build self-confidence. No artist is successful without positive self talk and a strong support system to back them when the going gets tough. There is always change in this business. Dancers should strive to become comfortable with being uncomfortable, because all they can count on is continual change which is always uncomfortable.
The goals of Mercyhurst are diverse and yet cohesive.
To generate creative leaders who pay tribute to the past, strive for the highest standards of excellence and proactively collaborate to celebrate and serve their communities whilst moving the dance field forward.
To cultivate empowerment through vigorous involvement in a progressive curriculum grounded in classical and contemporary ballet supported by diverse dance disciplines, theoretical and somatic studies.
To prepare confident artists who recognize and apply the transferable learning and knowledge embedded in dance to coalesce with developed critical thinking, writing and oral expertise as support to all of their life choices.
To nurture compassionate and balanced human beings who hold sacred the honor of body, mind and spirit for themselves and others.
Being a college rather than a studio, our interviewee did not actually start the school. She was hired by the university twenty years ago to develop a nationally recognized program for pre-professional dancers. She feels good about accomplishing that task. Passing on more than forty years of experience is something she enjoys and what she feels the field expects of her.
Mercyhurst’s Center for Dance Education provides educational opportunities from sources outside of the university. Each year, they present internationally acclaimed guest teachers from companies such as the American Ballet Theatre, Bad Boys of Dance, Ballet Hispanico, Ballet Jazz de Montreal, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Cuban National Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Martha Graham Dance Company, MOMIX, New York City Ballet, North Carolina Dance Theatre, Pilobolus, Paul Taylor Dance Company, STREB Extreme Action, Trey McIntyre Project, Royal Danish Ballet, and Jin Xing Dance Theatre Shanghai. Below is a list of some of their master classes, guest artists, residencies, and other opportunities that have been affiliated with the Mercyhurst University Dance Department in the past.
Tauna believes that their department is a dance “family” in every respect. They follow the Mercyhurst mission of service, caring for one another, competing only with themselves and supporting their peers in accomplishing their goals. They have four performing ensembles which have performed in Australia, Austria, New York City, Atlanta, Cleveland, Pittsburgh and throughout their region and community sharing their passion for dance and it’s abilities to bring joy to others, insight thoughtful conversations and heal.
Anyone who would like to begin their journey in dance, can apply on-line. It only takes a few minutes to get started. The course catalog will also give them information about the program. Since Mercyhurst is a liberal arts institution, all undergraduate students complete Mercyhurst’s core curriculum regardless of their major.
Please post a comment if you have had any experience with Mercyhurst University or Tauna Hunter.
For more multimedia material, check out the Mercyhurst University Dance Department’s Facebook, Twitter, blog, or Pinterest. Also check out Eileen’s “The Lakers’ Dancing Doctor” blog.
