Blue Moves Modern Dance Company

History

Founded in the summer of 1989 by Amanda Cantrell Roche, Lee Anne (Allen) Carmack, and Don Sullivan, Blue Moves began as a creative outlet for three Middle Tennessee State University students who were seeking a more cohesive, modern-focused dance experience than available through the university at the time. With the support of now-retired MTSU dance professor, Anne Holland Cole, and the addition of three more members, the group began Sunday rehearsals at Studio V on the square in Murfreesboro.

Years later, the company continues to evolve. Much of Blue Moves' longevity can be credited to fact that there is no single artistic director or so-called leader. The company has always been very democratic in its decision-making process, with all members having a vote on company decisions.

Blue Moves Modern Dance Company has performed several full-length productions at MTSU's Tucker and Wright Theatres and the Murfreesboro/Rutherford County Center for the Arts, as well as producing shows at Montgomery Bell Academy, Manchester's Parnassus Theatre, the Darkhorse Theatre and performing at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center's Johnson Theatre as part of Nashville's Summer Light celebration. They have also performed at TPAC's Jackson Hall in collaboration with Nashville choreographer Rossi Turner and at Vanderbilt's Langford Auditorium in the opening ceremony of the national student activists' C.O.O.L. Conference. They have danced down a two-storey escalator at the Sommet Center during the after-hours party for Nashville Cares' Artrageous and at Vanderbilt's Ingram Hall in conjunction with the production, "Tsunami Echoes, Katrina Cries." They also enjoy performing in non-traditional venues, such as Murfreesboro's Wallstreet bar, the lawn in front of MTSU's Art Barn and at the Asheville Fringe Festival. Company members have often appeared with vaudeville art rock band Juan Prophet Organization.

Blue Moves Modern Dance Company is a troupe of close-knit performers who sincerely enjoy dancing and each other's company. Through the art form they love, the dancers strive to entertain as well as to stir and inform audiences, exploring themes as varied as dancing laundry and the loss of humanity in the modern world. They have grown to appreciate the company's diverse dynamic and have learned to wrangle it into something vibrant (or controversial, or eye-opening, or simply beautiful). Blue Moves is known for its sometimes quirky and often theatrical choreography, and is non-profit, strictly volunteer and rehearses Sunday afternoons.

The Dancers
[listed alphabetically]

Angela Armstrong, dancer, choreographer and teacher has performed with Blue Moves Modern Dance Company since 1990 and choreographed since 1992. Ms. Armstrong graduated from MTSU in 1994 with a B.B.A. Degree in Finance, and then in 1999, received her M.S. Degree from MTSU with an emphasis in Health and Physical Education. Currently, she is dance and Pilates faculty at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). She has received four national honors in the Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers and is a six-time honoree at MTSU as a teacher “who makes a difference”. With a constant focus on education, in April of 2009, she made history on campus by being the first non-HBCU (Historically Black College/University) to host the national conference of the Black College Dance Exchange. At this conference, she brought world renowned Alvin Ailey II and Dallas Black Dance Theatre II dance companies to perform, teach and bring a wealth of culture to MTSU. Since 1997, she has served as Director of the MTSU Performing Arts Company and has presented a series of 26 dance concerts on campus and shown 20 choreographic works. Although she has many obligations, her heart is devoted to Blue Moves and her Blue Moves family.

Richard Browder is a founding member of Blue Moves who has danced with the company on and off for two decades. After pursing graduate work in theatre at the University of Southern Mississippi, earning a Masters of Education at MTSU, and working as an assistant professor of theatre at the university, Richard returned to Blue Moves to take part in the 20-year celebration. He has worked as an actor and choreographer for Tennessee Repertory Theatre and Nashville Children’s Theatre, is currently juggling a move to a new home, choreography for Tennessee Rep’s production of “Big River”, teaching and dancing, and is so busy that he did not get his bio written on time, so Amanda did it for him.

Lee Anne (Allen) Carmack is a co-founder, contributing choreographer, and company member of Blue Moves Modern Dance Company. After completing a master's degree in English literature and an exhausting career in corporate America, she now happily spends her time as a wife, mother, yoga teacher and volunteer. She recently launched her on-line business venture, www.yardsalefrog.com. She is also a member of Rutherford Cable, Arts in Rutherford (AIR), and the Northfield Elementary PTO. Lee Anne wants to thank her incredibly wonderful family and friends for all their support and tolerance over the last 20 years.

Holly Cannon-Hesse has been with Blue Moves since 1993.She has performed and created choreography for almost 17 years. Holly is a happy stay at home mom who teaches dance on the side. She is currently teaching with Second Story Studio and with the Tennessee Performing Arts Center education program, ArtSmart. Holly loves to work with children because it is like discovering dance all over again each time she steps into a classroom.

Amanda Cantrell Roche is a co-founder of Blue Moves and has remained a choreographer and performing member for two decades. She has studied modern dance under several instructors and currently continues her training through the Vanderbilt Dance Program. Her choreography tends towards subjects dear to her heart, such as motherhood and human rights issues, though she has been known to choreograph dances which are totally whimsical and frivolous. She is also a co-founder of the human rights group One Human Race 4 Justice and her latest Teaching Artistry project, Hero Journeys Workshops. Amanda works as a Teaching Artist for TPAC’s aesthetic education program, ArtSmart, as well as for the Tennessee Arts Commission. Her alchemy is most powerful when she combines a trilogy of her deepest passions: dance, writing and social justice. www.amandacroche.com

Laura Filtness is currently a school counselor for Williamson County Schools. She received a B.S. in Health and Human Performance and a M.Ed. in Professional Counseling at Middle Tennessee State University. She is certified in Pilates, Yoga, and group exercise. Laura has been fortunate to attend such conferences as the MTSU Summer Dance Intensive, the Black College Dance Exchange, and the Horton Intensive in Daytona Florida. She was also blessed with the opportunity of being a past president and senior company member of the MTSU Performing Arts Company. When she is not dancing she is spending time with her two rambunctious cats - Sprigg and Fidget.

Rachel Flores Taliaferro is enjoying her fifth year with Blue Moves Modern Dance Company. Rachel is a 2002 graduate of Western Kentucky University, where she earned a B.F.A. in Performing Arts with a Dance Emphasis. Since graduating, she has worked in the performance field as a costume designer, dancer and choreographer. She is certified by the Southern Association of Dance Masters in ballet and tap. Rachel currently teaches dance and creative movement for KidSkills, a company that introduces the discipline of dance to young children in public and private schools.

Kelly Grider has been a member of Blue Moves Modern Dance Company since the spring of 2008. Her debut performance was “The Guided Tour,” performed at the Renaissance Center in Dickson, Tn. Kelly has a B.F.A. in Dance Education from the University of Tennessee at Martin, and teaches for Harpeth Hall School and several other dance programs in Nashville. She recently returned from serving as a Guest Choreographer at UT Martin for the Annual Spring Showcase. Growing up, she trained with Centennial Youth Ballet and Vanderbilt Dance Group. In college, Kelly choreographed for the UTM Dance Ensemble, Vanguard Theatre, and Masquerade Theatre. During her internships at Nashville School of the Arts and Creswell Arts Middle School, Kelly auditioned for Blue Moves. The company has opened many doors for Kelly artistically. She choreographed her first piece for the company in November 2009. Her piece was showcased during the 2009 MPAC Performance at Tucker Theatre. Blue Moves has allowed her to succeed to a high level of performance.

Valerie Hackworth was trained in ballet, modern and classical jazz at Chattanooga Ballet. After taking a year off she continued her training at Middle Tennessee State University thanks to Ann Holland Cole. Valerie has broadened her dance horizons by attending dance Intensives and was a member of the MTSU Performing Arts Company for eight years. She has danced and choreographed with Blue Moves since 1999. Currently, Valerie is a Library Assistant working on her Master’s of Science in Computer Information Systems and dreams of becoming a Mechanical Engineer and building rockets for NASA.

Erin Halcott, 22, joined Blue Moves as an understudy in the fall of 2007 and has been dancing as a member since 2008. She will be graduating from MTSU in May with a degree in Recreation and Leisure Services with a concentration in Recreational Therapy. She hopes to become a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and follow her passion of working with those who have autism.

Vickiy Howard is currently a student at Middle Tennessee State University pursuing a degree in Elementary Education. Upon dancing with the Blue Moves affiliate company, The MTSU Performing Arts Company, for several years she found a way to expand her horizons and venture into modern dance as well as other genres. Formerly trained in Jazz, Tap, Ballet and Hip-Hop with the Smith Sisters Dance Company in Kansas City, Mo, Vickiy has been introduced to African, lyrical, theatrical jazz and modern amid these two companies. Vickiy has attended multiple Black College Dance Exchanges performing with the MPAC group and the Blue Moves group as well as having performed with the MPAC Senior Company from its inception in 2000 through Spring 2006. Not only is she a student and a dancer, but a wife and a mother of one and soon to have her second child May 2010. She is so excited and appreciative that she has joined such a wonderful dance family to share, inspire and uplift through dance.

Kristen Hubbard has found a creative outlet and a family with Blue Moves since 1997. She has performed onstage in some facet since childhood; acting, dancing, singing jazz. She fell in love with visual art many years ago and recently received a BFA in Painting from MTSU. Kristen also enjoys designing and making costumes, as well as conceiving outlandishly ambitious concepts for dance projects.

Del Ivey joined Blue Moves in 1991 and performed with the group for several years, during which he married and had two daughters. He teaches ballroom dance to youth at DanceWorld of Murfreesboro. Del returns to Blue Moves after many years to be a part of the company’s 20-year celebration.

Christy Rose has been a member of Blue Moves since 1997. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Physical Therapy degree at Tennessee State University. She studied English literature, philosophy, and dance in undergraduate university, and travelled the U.S. for a dancewear company for three years. Christy currently teaches Pilates and fitness and has taught various styles of dance to children and adults. She is a devoted student of Yoga. With a background in ballet and jazz, Christy's favorite modern dance techniques include Lester Horton and Martha Graham. Rose pursues other creative outlets including music, healthy food preparation, and gardening. She wishes to continue a life of acquiring and sharing knowledge of dance, health, and creativity.

Jacqueline Springfield is a professional actor, teacher, dancer and choreographer. She is currently an Assistant Professor in the Theatre and Dance Department at Middle Tennessee State University. Her teaching credits include Metro Theatre Company, Center of Creative Arts (COCA, St. Louis) Urban Arts Program, Win-Win Resolutions, North Carolina Theatre for Young People, and American College Dance Festival. Jacqueline is a co-founder and original member of Jaha Dance Ensemble, a company that specializes in West African dance. She holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in Acting from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Guest Artist:

Julie Shavers was a member of Blue Moves from 1995 until she left for New York in 2000. She continues to crop up at Blue Moves shows from time to time in monologue form. Recent productions of her work include “Silver Bullet Trailer” Ohio Theatre 2008, “Go Robot Go” The New York International Fringe Festival 2004, “Sunshine on a Monkey’s Balls” Vineyard Theatre 2004, “The Secret Life of Plants” The American Globe Theatre 2003, “The Kitchen is Small” The Planet Ant Theatre 2003 and “Lips and Assholes” the Red Room 2002. In 2006 she participated in the Royal Court Theatre’s New York residency and was an alternate for the Emerging Artists program at the Public Theatre. She currently lives as a minivan hobo with her husband and two little boys somewhere between New York and Los Angeles, but just between us chickens, Tennessee is still her favorite.