Dance Ensemble

The UTPA Dance Ensemble was started under the direction of Laura M. Grabowski in 1984. Laura directed the Company from 1984 to 2000. Since that time the dance program at UTPA has grown with the addition of Melinda Blomquist, Fred Darsow and Dana Shackelford to the modern dance faculty. The three faculty members serve as directors of the company. Each director brings a unique vision of modern dance to the company and the choreography of the directors reflects their own individual vision.

The UTPA Dance Ensemble is the only Modern Dance Company in permanent residence in the Rio Grande Valley. The purpose of the UTPA Dance Ensemble is to provide students with the opportunity to be a part of quality dance performances as they promote the art of Modern Dance and give the Rio Grande Valley residents the opportunity to experience Modern dance. Each year the company presents a full concert performance during the Fall and Spring Semester at UTPA. The company is also involved in community outreach with local schools. They have presented Master Classes at several valley Middle Schools and High Schools as well as hosting a “High School Day” that introduces area High school students to the Dance Program at UTPA. Over the past several years the company has brought in several guest artists to work with the students and set repertory works on the company. The guest artists include: Doug Elkins, Raymond Shaw, Melissa Rolnick, Liz Lerman Dance Exchange, Nina Martin, and Wade Madsen. This semester, the Dance Ensemble, brought in Christopher Fairbank and Wally Cardona to set choreography on the Ensemble.