The Jefferson Dancers

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Choreographer Donald McKayle (seated, center) posed with members of The Jefferson Dancers in 1992, after a week-long rehearsal wherein he taught the company two of his signature dances: "Games" and "Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder". Donald mckayle with the jefferson dancers portland oregon 1992.jpg
Choreographer Donald McKayle (seated, center) posed with members of The Jefferson Dancers in 1992, after a week-long rehearsal wherein he taught the company two of his signature dances: "Games" and "Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder".

The Jefferson Dancers are a multi-ethnic company of dancers who attend Jefferson High School Middle College for Advanced Studies in Portland, Oregon. Here, the school's most advanced dance students take pre-professional dance training, and attend daily 90-minute technique classes followed by three hours of rehearsal.

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The company was founded by Mary Vinton Folberg in the early 1980s. Folberg served as artistic director of the dance company from its founding until the mid-1990s. In 1992, Folberg went on sabbatical, during which Julane Stites served as artistic director of the company. That year, the company was the subject of the 30-minute Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) program titled A Musical Encounter: The Dance Program. Stites left the program for the Arts & Communication Magnet Academy in Beaverton in 1999. [1]

In 1995, Folberg left the dance department of Jefferson High School to found The Northwest Academy, an alternative arts high school in Portland. Program alumni and MOMIX dancer Steve Gonzales has served as artistic director since 1999. [1] [2] [3]

"Throughout the year, we bring in professional guest artists and choreographers, and the dancers also perform student-led pieces crafted by our talented company members," says Artistic Director Steve Gonzales. [4] "The Jefferson Dancers offer an extraordinary opportunity for students at one of Oregon's most racially diverse high schools. We work to provide students with an immersive experience in a professional environment that fosters creativity, commitment, and achievement. We lay a foundation for success in all aspects of life and further study in the arts." [4]

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Mary Vinton Folberg is the former Head of School at Northwest Academy, a former teacher, and former dancer. She was Miss Oregon in 1958. She founded the dance program at Jefferson High School in Portland, Oregon, which has become internationally recognized within the dance community. The performing leg of the Jefferson High School dance department is The Jefferson Dancers, which performs locally, nationally, and occasionally even internationally. The Portland, Oregon, newsweekly Willamette Week has referred to The Jefferson Dancers as "Portland's best dance company". Mary also has two twin daughters, Lisa and Rachel Folberg. After leaving Jefferson High School in 1995, Folberg founded The Northwest Academy, which is an independent, college-preparatory, middle- and high-school program in downtown Portland with a unique academic and arts partnership. She was born in 1940, and holds degrees in literature and dance and taught in California and Oregon public schools. Fohlberg is the 2013 recipient of Portland Monthly magazine's Light A Fire Award for Lifetime Achievement. She also is the recipient of a 1981 Kennedy Center Award for Excellence in Arts Education and the Metropolitan Arts Commission Award in 1982, 1988, and 1989.

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References

  1. 1 2 Lewis, Scott (2000-04-26). "Budget to Bust a Move". Willamette Week . Archived from the original on 2008-12-01. Retrieved 2010-02-05.
  2. Clarke, Kelly (2002-12-11). "Not Your Average High-School Dance". Willamette Week . Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2010-02-05.
  3. Bancud, Michaela (2002-12-13). "Smells like teen spirit". Portland Tribune . Retrieved 2010-02-05.
  4. 1 2 "Jefferson Dancers Take to The Stage and The Air in Soar". The Portland Observer. 7 November 2024. Retrieved 9 December 2024.