University of Iowa Department of Dance

University of Iowa Department of Dance The UI Department of Dance extends humanistic endeavor and prepares well-rounded students for professional performance, choreography, andacademic careers.

Over the past two weeks, UI dancers worked closely with guest artist Kyle Marshall, culminating in last weekend’s perfor...
06/01/2026

Over the past two weeks, UI dancers worked closely with guest artist Kyle Marshall, culminating in last weekend’s performance of the world premiere of Render!

Choreographed by Kyle Marshall, Render also featured original solo material created by the performers.

Performers: Douglas Baker, Addison Boon, Noah Fox, Asmere Jensen, Ella Kempen, Kennedy Klubertanz, Samantha Lorenc, Addison Magruder, Allyson Meinders, Noelle Michael, Samantha Patterson, Tyler Phi, Emily Pyburn, McKenna Stephens, Trinity Woody.

See a few snapshots of our UI dancers at rehearsal below!

Also featured was Bound, a 45-minute work of dance, spoken word, sound, and technology that reimagines destiny while reflecting on African American history, performed by the Kyle Marshall Choreography company.

Congratulations to Melinda Jean Meyers on her Dean's Scholar Award 👏👯‍♀️The Dean's Scholar Award honors faculty who exce...
05/27/2026

Congratulations to Melinda Jean Meyers on her Dean's Scholar Award 👏👯‍♀️

The Dean's Scholar Award honors faculty who excel in teaching and creative advances. Along with the two year award, Melinda has received a one-time grant for equipment, travel, supplies, or other research/teaching initiatives.

Melinda was chosen by The CLAS Committee on Faculty Promotion and Tenure selects each year's class of Dean's Scholars. She is a choreographer, performer, and interdisciplinary artist who focuses on movement, storytelling, and lived experience. She engages dance as both a rigorous physical language and a vehicle for social and emotional inquiry.

Read more about her work and award in the comments below 💛🏆

Come dance with us? 💃 ✨
05/26/2026

Come dance with us? 💃 ✨

Dance often evokes thoughts of studios and spot-lit stages but dance can happen anywhere. Stephanie Miracle, assistant p...
05/25/2026

Dance often evokes thoughts of studios and spot-lit stages but dance can happen anywhere. Stephanie Miracle, assistant professor of dance, conducts creative research aimed at placing dance in nontraditional spaces to better connect audiences with the world around them.

Check out Stephanie's Research Minute on Where Dance Happens, shared by the University of Iowa's Research YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/Wriecd7Ft_U?si=N3k-JADXJz7jWLhY 💃

The University of Iowa Youth Ballet and Community Dance School is looking to hire one or more Ballet and Pointe Instruct...
05/24/2026

The University of Iowa Youth Ballet and Community Dance School is looking to hire one or more Ballet and Pointe Instructors with interest in and experience teaching youth and adults! 🩰

The University of Iowa Youth Ballet and Community Dance School is dedicated to community building and devoted to instructing both classical and contemporary dance forms. Candidates must have a background in ballet and pointe instruction and should be interested in continuing to develop their teaching using current best practices.

Learn more and apply at https://bit.ly/4nC5ZKH

Many generations of Hawkeyes have come through Halsey Hall throughout the years. As we prepare for a new chapter in a ne...
05/23/2026

Many generations of Hawkeyes have come through Halsey Hall throughout the years. As we prepare for a new chapter in a new building next year, Halsey Hall will always be in our hearts 💛🖤

Photos in order:
1. Front of Halsey, 1930s
2. Students playing badminton, 1940s
3. Ballet rehearsals, 1919
4–5. Work and study areas, 1910s

05/22/2026

You are our favorite place 💛 🖤

05/21/2026

Behind the scenes of our final movements in Halsey Hall!

We are so excited to move into the new Dance Building next fall but couldn't say farewell to Halsey without one last dance party 💫

Congratulations to Kristin Marrs on her Collegiate Teaching Award for the Department of Dance! 💃🩰The Collegiate Teaching...
05/21/2026

Congratulations to Kristin Marrs on her Collegiate Teaching Award for the Department of Dance! 💃🩰

The Collegiate Teaching Award is given to faculty who demonstrate outstanding performance in the classroom/studio. They are chosen by the CLAS Teaching Awards Committee and are recognized by their peers for stimulating and satisfying students' desire to learn.

Kristin Marrs is an associate professor of instruction in the Department of Dance. She focuses on rethinking ballet training while prioritizing exploration and individual growth.

Learn more about Kristin and her award in the comments below!

With a heavy heart we honor the life and legacy of Alicia Brown-Matthes, chair of the Department of Dance from 1990–199...
05/20/2026

With a heavy heart we honor the life and legacy of Alicia Brown-Matthes, chair of the Department of Dance from 1990–1996, creator of our annual Dance Gala, and an inspiration to students with her choreography, artistic mastery, and strength. ❤️

"Her former students described her as courageous, brilliant, wise, and tender but fierce in the best possible way. In the studio, Alicia understood that beauty does not arrive without devotion. It came with the tiniest tilt of the head. The smallest, most considered gestures toward grace, pursued not as a fleeting goal but as a way of living. She saw all of it, and she never stopped asking her students to see it too."

Read her full obituary at lensingfuneral.com/obituaries/Alicia-Anne-Brown-Matthes?obId=48378264

Photos:
1: Image of Alicia Brown-Matthes with a dog
2: Judy Allen, Alicia Brown-Matthes, and Lila
3: Alicia's daughter Lila in Halsey

Address

Halsey Hall, 28 West Jefferson Street
Iowa City, IA
52242

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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