Yoav Kaddar, director of the Dance Program in the West Virginia University College of Creative Arts, was recently elected to the Board of Directors of the American College Dance Festival Association, representing the Mid-Atlantic Region.
The association’s primary focus is to support and promote the wealth of talent and creativity that is prominent throughout college and university dance departments.
The organization sponsors regional conferences and a national dance festival, providing opportunities for students and faculty to engage in performances, workshops and master classes taught by instructors from around the region and the country and to have their works adjudicated by a panel of nationally recognized dance professionals.
“Such an appointment speaks to the level of professionalism and respect that Dr. Kaddar brings to the Division of Theatre and Dance, further enhancing our national presence,” said Joshua Williamson, chair of the Division of Theatre and Dance at WVU.
Kaddar came to WVU last fall and holds degrees from the Juilliard School, the University of Washington, Seattle, and the State University of New York, Albany. He has performed nationally and internationally as guest artist and has been a member of such modern dance companies as the Jose Limon Dance Company, Paul Taylor Dance Company, Pilobolus Dance Theatre, Peter Pucci Plus Dancers and Jacob’s Pillow’s Men Dancers.
He has also danced with numerous independent New York City choreographers and has choreographed for dance and theater.
He presents workshops on topics related to dance, dance education and dance as theatre at national and international conferences.
One of his most recent works was performed at the Smithsonian Museum of Art in Washington, D.C., and in Ottawa, Canada, by the internationally acclaimed singing ensemble Tapestry.
Currently, as part of the 10th anniversary of the events of Sept. 11, 2001, Kaddar is restaging his tribute piece, “Standing Tall,” around the country at dance festivals, universities and private dance studios.
The American College Dance Festival Association’s Mid-Atlantic region includes Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware and the District of Columbia.
WVU has a long history in dance, and was one of the earliest members of the association. Professor Emeritus Mary Kathryne Wiedebusch, who was dance professor and director of dance at WVU for 50 years, was a founding member of the organization and served on the executive committee for the first festival held in 1973.
WVU Division of Theatre and Dance: http://theatre.wvu.edu/
American College Dance Festival Association: http://acdfa.org/
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CONTACT: Charlene Lattea, College of Creative Arts
304-293-4359, Charlene.Lattea@mail.wvu.edu
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