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The BYU Ballroom Dance Company originates in the Department of Dance of the College of Fine Arts and Communications at Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah. It has been a part of BYU for nearly 50 years and competes and performs throughout the world.
For years BYU offered dance classes that included several genres, but with a specific focus on social dance. BYU's dance company didn't exist until 1953 when Alma Heaton joined the faculty as a recreation professor. Heaton came to BYU having taught social dance for a nationally recognized dance studio, and it seemed logical to continue that instruction at the university level. Heaton's work set the stage for BYU to become a leader in ballroom dance. [1] The Ballroom Dance program has been growing ever since and is now the largest collegiate ballroom dance program in the world. [2] In 1960 [3] Benjamin F. de Hoyos (a BYU professor in the BYU College of Health and Human Performance) founded the Ballroom Dance Company and was the director for 10 years. Following de Hoyos, Roy and June Mavor directed the company from 1970 to 1975 when Emerson Lyman and his wife LeGene took the reins. In 1980 Lee Wakefield and his wife Linda began directing the company. Starting in 2015, Curt and Sharon Holman took the reins as directors of the company and they continue to do so today. [4] "BYU was the first university to introduce dance into its curriculum; the school's involvement in the sport stretches back for a long time," observes Brian McDonald, president of the National Dance Council of America, which governs dance competitions in the United States. "And now BYU is, without question, the most influential school in the nation in terms of identifying dance as both a sport and a respected curriculum." [1]
The BYU Ballroom Dance Company has 160 members [7] and is currently composed of five teams. It is directed by Curt and Sharon Holman. [8] The five teams include: The Touring Company, directed by Curt and Sharon Holman; The Showcase Company, directed by Brent Keck; Ensembles I (intermediate), II, and III (beginning), directed by staff members. In addition to the team directors, Mandi Johnson plays a central role in the program as the Ballroom Dance Department Secretary, managing daily office affairs, student logistics, and management at Dancesport competitions. [ citation needed ]
BYU's ballroom program further established itself in 1993 when it was chosen to host the World Amateur Championships. This eventually led to BYU's selection to host the U.S. Amateur Ballroom Dance Championships, considered to be the most prestigious amateur ballroom dance competition in the United States. [9]
The BYU Dance Company currently competes on both the National and International Levels The most recognized competitions that BYU participates in are: The United States National Formation Championships, The World Formation Championships (NDCA), and The British Formation Championships. Though all three competitions are highly competitive, The British Formation Championship is the most prestigious event in the competitive dance arena for individual competitors (though not for formation teams). [10] All three competitions comprise a variety of events in both the International Standard and Latin categories but the BYU Ballroom Dance Company only competes in the team formation events.
The BYU Ballroom Dance Company has consistently won numerous prestigious awards in the competitive arena. Since 1982, the team has annually won the NDCA title of United States National Formation Dance Champions. [11]
Since 1971, the company has competed at the highly esteemed British Open ballroom competition every three years, [10] most often placing first in both Latin and Standard formation categories.
The BYU Ballroom Dance Company are the first Americans to win the highly esteemed British Formation Championships, and they have done so ten times. [12]
The BYU Ballroom Dance Company touring team has been touring since 1971; visiting many countries and cities throughout the world. [13]
The BYU Ballroom Dance Company annually presents Ballroom Dance in Concert and has done so for twenty-seven years. [15] The concerts are currently performed in the Marriott Center at BYU, but prior to 1987 the concerts were performed in the Smith Field House at BYU. The pieces are the creative works of Ballroom Dance Company directors Curt & Sharon Holman, as well as guest choreographers and professional champion dancers from across the United States and Canada. [15] The concerts first received individual names in 2003; prior concerts were simply titled "Ballroom Dance in Concert".
Brigham Young University is a private research university in Provo, Utah. It was founded in 1875 by religious leader Brigham Young and is sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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The following outline is provided as an overview of and a topical guide to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.