Associate Dance Department Chair Curt Holman has been selected as the new BYU Department of Dance chair, effective July 1, 2017.
In his almost 25 years as a dance faculty member at BYU, Holman has served on numerous department, college and university committees, including Ballroom Area administrator, associate Dance Department chair and Ballroom Dance Company artistic director. Holman and his wife Sharon are former professional ballroom dance competitors, U.S. National Cabaret finalists and invited competitors at the British Championships in Blackpool, England and the World Championships in the Netherlands.
“Holman has developed a deep understanding of the touring and performance aspects, as well as the curricular and education issues of the department,” CFAC Dean Ed Adams said. “He has been an integral part of the prestigious awards garnered by the Ballroom Dance Company, both nationally and internationally.”
Holman replaces Marilyn Berrett who has served in this position since Dec. 2010. Berrett’s choreography has been featured in award winning films and main stage productions across the US and in Africa, Asia, Europe and South America. She serves on the BYU ARTS Partnership coordinating council, the dance and the Child international board of directors and is a past-president of the Utah Dance Education Organization.
“Berrett’s commitment as chair has been extraordinary and she has endeavored to ensure that students, faculty and staff in the department achieve the fullest measure of their abilities,” Adams said.
The Department of Dance provides a broad base for professional training in both the classroom and the studio. The versatile undergraduate program includes four degrees: Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Dance, Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Dance Education, Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Dance and Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Music Dance Theatre. The Department of Dance is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Dance.
“My greatest joy has been witnessing the personal and collective success of faculty and students,” Berrett said. “I stand in awe as BYU Dance faculty and students have won academic, teaching and performance acclaim at conferences, festival and competitions. I am grateful for the support of the university, our donors, alumni and colleagues.”
Writer: Bailey Fruit