Wow, it has been a busy past month for our Emerging Artists, and let me tell you personally…they are nothing short of amazing. We are proud to share some of their individual accomplishments with you, but first allow me to tell you what the program is all about!

Our Emerging Artists come from around the nation and join South Chicago Dance Theatre daily for company class and rehearsal. They perform with the main company and are offered the same opportunity to be cast in pieces. They, too, auditioned at the start of the 2020-2021 season and were hand-selected to join the program. Each Emerging Artist is partnered with a mentor with whom they meet with twice during the year and are encouraged to stay in contact with. Our mentors this season include Bernard Brown, Stephanie Martinez, Ethan Kirschbaum, and Kia Smith. These mentors provide the artists with guidance in the Chicago Dance Community as well as another connection to potential future companies and opportunities that may suit each individual dancer. The Emerging Artist program serves as a bridge to the professional dance community and offers continued training and performance opportunities to it’s participants.

Speaking from a personal standpoint – this season’s Emerging Artists are OUTSTANDING. They have the most incredible work ethic, they are professional, and they are such an important and special part of our SCDT family. On top of that, they are so involved with the Chicago dance community already and have a list of accomplishments for us to share with you!

First off, Sydney Jones (graduate of Point Park University) recently won the Inaside Choreography Competition! She receives $800 and the opportunity to set a piece on Inaside Chicago Dance!! We are so proud of the creativity and drive to choreograph and create Sydney consistently has.

Next up, we are so proud to announce that Dorianne Thomas (graduate of Webster University) accepted a contract to perform with Joel Hall Dancers. So well deserved – Dorianne is a fierce performer and owns the stage.

Morgan McDaniel (Fordham/Ailey program) also recently accepted a contract with Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre. Morgan is gorgeous, technical, poised, and hilarious. We are proud of your huge accomplishment!!

Lastly, Hayley Midea (BFA at Western Michigan University) performed her powerful self-choreographed solo in the Trifecta Dance Collective showcase. Hayley’s piece proves how dance can serve as activism and speaks out against Larry Nassar.

I’m telling you, this group is ultra-talented and we are so happy to have the privilege of working with them. We can’t wait to see what’s next in all of your journeys! The Emerging Artist Program produces some driven dancers that are committed to excellence in all that they do.