Throughout the spring semester, the Brenau Department of Dance had several performances and events, including hosting the 2026 American College Dance Association Southeast Regional Conference from Feb. 26 to March 1.
The conference brought together students and faculty from across the region and the country to deepen their knowledge and artistry. The schedule included classes, performances, industry and scholarship auditions, and professional photo and video shoots.
“I had the opportunity to observe the many performances, classes and workshops and witness first-hand the extraordinary dedication of Brenau University faculty and students to make this conference a resounding success,” Janet Lilly, secretary of ACDA, said in a letter thanking the university. “The dynamic interaction of diverse students with faculty and guest artists at the ACDA conference is primary to the mission of ACDA, and it was terrific to see this happen so effectively at Brenau.”
The department will perform two more concerts this semester, De/cipher on April 3 and 4 and Unravel: Senior Thesis Concert from April 9 to 12.
De/cipher will be presented in the Hosch Theatre at 7 p.m. The concert will feature works by the chair of the Department of Dance, Madia Cooper-Ashirifi, WC ’04, MFA, Ed.D.; assistant professor Jessica Lynch-Oliver, MFA; assistant professor George Wilson-Berry, MFA; and dance/movement therapy program coordinator Amy Jacques, LPC, BC-DMT, BU ’17. Guest artists include Christopher Bloom, Cammi Neveraz, Xavier Lewis and Keerati Jinakunwiphat.
“The show is a collection of works where you can’t anticipate what is coming next,” Kendra Shaw, a senior dance major, said. “Each work has its own unique voice and will take you on a trip you’d never expect.”
Unravel will be held in Hosch Theatre at 7:30 p.m. from April 9 to 11 and at 2:30 p.m. on April 12, featuring works by Brenau seniors.
Tickets for both events will be available for purchase at the door and on Eventbrite. General admission is $10 for adults and $5 for students, senior citizens and children.
Brenau Dance will also host the inaugural Brenau Alumni Dance Concert during this year’s Alumni Reunion Weekend on April 18 at 6 p.m. in the Hosch Theatre. This performance will end the weekend’s celebrations and will feature the talent, passion, and artistry of Brenau alumni. A pre-concert reception will be held in the Redwine Lobby at 5 p.m.
The department will also host the annual Brenau Dance Summer Intensive, a two-week program focused on developing young artists through a rigorous and artistic curriculum. The intensive will be held from June 6 to 18. Students aged 15 to 22 can apply here.
Earlier this semester, Brenau Dance performed Under the Baobab Tree, a celebration of dance culture. The concert featured performances by artists and groups from across Georgia and the university, showcasing traditional dances from eight different countries. Additionally, two Brenau dance students, Clover Hardin and Carleigh Sass, had their films selected for the Alabama Screendance Festival hosted in Birmingham, Alabama, in January. The festival is presented by the Alabama Dance Council and Sidewalk Film Festival.
