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Dance Post-Grad: What It’s Really Like Out There

What

Join JUNTOS alumni discussing their journeys after graduation, the range of possibility within a dance career, and how JUNTOS helped them grow as artists and leaders.

When + Where

Saturday, March 9, 7-9pm

Fordham University, McMahon Hall, Rm. 205/206
155 W. 60th St, New York, NY

Free Event! RSVP NOW

Speakers address how JUNTOS has helped them discover important lessons and develop as artists and as leaders within their community. They discuss how their academic education combined with JUNTOS volunteer work shaped their professional aspirations. They also discuss challenges and triumphs during their post-graduate journeys. There will be a Q&A for students and attendees to gain further perspective.

Panelists include dancers working in performance, dance film, social work, and education; Holly Wilder (award-winning dance film choreographer), Winnie Berger (NYC choreographer, dancer, and educator), Meaghan Wood (social worker), and JoVonna Parks (professional dancer and educator). Fordham alum (FCLC ‘10) and JUNTOS supporter Ian Christie will be moderating the panel.

Featured Artists

Winnie Berger, Panelist

Tucson, Arizona native, Winnie Berger, began her dance training at Ballet Arts under the direction of Mary Beth Cabana. In 2008, Winnie was a trainee for Ballet Tucson, and went on to completing a dual degree in Dance and Theology in the Ailey/Fordham BFA program cum laude in 2014. Winnie is a freelance dancer in New York City, and is the Artistic Director of Mook Dance Company.  Mook has performed at the Ailey Citigroup Theater, Manhattan Movement and Arts Center, Dixon Place, Green Space, the Actors Fund Arts Center, in the DUMBO Dance Festival, and more. Ms. Berger was the 2015 recipient of the Eryc Taylor New Choreographer Grant and one of her works was purchased by Fusionworks Dance Company in Lincoln, RI. She has also set pieces and taught master classes with students of the Bronx House, Montclair High School, New York Dance, Ballet Forte, Cresskill Performing Arts Center, and American Academy of Dance and Performing Arts.

Ian Christie, Facilitator

Ian Christie is lucky enough to have spent much of his life careening between art, culture, and politics—leaving him deeply committed to the fool’s errand of understanding how the pieces all fit together. He is currently an independent organzier, writer, and creative producer. During the 2018 Congressional midterm elections, he joined Swing Left as a Deputy Political Director, building a vibrant coaltion of progressive organizations dedicated to taking back our government. Previously, he worked closely with the artist Peter Tunney from 2010 to 2017, running his galleries and studios in Tribeca, New York City and at the Wynwood Walls in Maimi. He also led the Haiti Walls mural project for Artists for Peace & Justice, bringing internationally acclaimed street artists to paint in Port-au-Prince. His recent writing can be found in Y.P. Issue 3: Drive and MAKER Magazine Volume III, where he served as an Editor-at-Large.

JoVonna Parks, Panelist

JoVonna Parks is a Philadelphia native. She attended the Ailey/Fordham BFA program and graduated in 2012. Since then she has joined Elisa Monte Dance and is currently in her fifth season with the company. She also teaches at The Academy of Dance Arts in Red Bank as well at several studios in the surrounding greater New York area.

Holly Wilder, Panelist

Holly Wilder is a performer, choreographer, and filmmaker based in NYC. She graduated summa cum laude from The Boston Conservatory with a BFA in Dance and the Alumni Award for Academic Achievement in 2015. Some of her professional credits include Cassie in A Chorus Line, the national tour of Debbie Allen’s musical Brothers of the Knight, Graziella in West Side Story, and ensemble/Frenchy understudy in Grease with Royal Caribbean International. Holly is artistic director/choreographer of the award-winning dance film company, Wilder Project. Her dance films have been screened at over 20 film festivals all over the country and at venues like the Institute of Contemporary Art and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. www.hollywilder.com.

Maeghan Wood, Panelist

Maeghan is a graduate of Purchase college ’13 and was very fortunate to have been able to participate in JUNTOS in Guatemala in 2012.  After finishing her undergraduate degree, Maeghan began her career with Teach for America (TFA). She then transitioned into work in the social service field.  She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Social Work at Columbia University and is expected to graduate in May 2019.