Dance Department Faculty

Click on any faculty member's name to see a list of achievements.

Cynthia Newland Cynthia Newland (2003) Associate Professor of Dance and Chair of the Dance Department

MFA in Dance, Arizona State University
BFA in Dance, George Mason University

601-965-1413
cnewland@belhaven.edu

Ms. Cynthia A. Newland, earned her MFA in Dance from Arizona State University, with an emphasis on choreography and performance and BFA in Dance from George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia.

Prior to her appointment at Belhaven University Ms. Newland served as director for New Field Dance Theater in the East Bay of San Francisco. For nearly three decades she has traveled nationally and internationally as a teacher, choreographer, and performer working with varied arts organizations and institutions such as Campus Crusade for Christ, Children of the World, International Christian Embassy, Intervarsity, Operation Mobilization International, International Christian Dance Fellowship, Youth With a Mission, Project Dance, Christians in Theater Arts, and Dong Ah Institute of Media and Arts.

A portion of her work and artistic endeavors has been in the realm of inclusive dance where she has created numerous choreographed works for people with and without disabilities, which have been presented in the United States through VSA International and USA International Ballet Competition.

She has received recognition as a recipient of the Higher Education Award from the Mississippi Alliance for Arts Education and the Humanities Teacher Award by the Mississippi Humanities Council. At Belhaven University she has served on the Faculty Council and Education Advisory Council. She is a board Member of USA IBC (International Ballet Competition), and member of the Mississippi Alliance for Arts Education, ACDFA, Alabama Dance Council, CORD, Dance Camera West, NDEO, Performing Arts Medical Association and Screen Dance.  Ms. Newland has also been a presenter for NASD’s Annual Conference leading the Forum for Institutions with Small or Developing Dance Departments as well as serving on the Committee on Ethics.

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Krista BowerKrista Bower, (2007) Specialty Instructor of Dance

Candidate for MFA in Choreography, Jacksonville University
BFA in Dance, Belhaven University

601-965-1422
kbower@belhaven.edu

Krista Bower graduated Summa Cum Laude from Belhaven University with a BFA in Dance, and she is a candidate for an MFA in Choreography at Jacksonville University/White Oak.  As a student at Belhaven, Bower received the Bezalel Award for outstanding artistic achievement and the Daniel Award for outstanding scholastic achievement.  Bower is a recipient of the Jacksonville University Dean’s Award for Excellence, and she is expected to complete her MFA in May of 2013. Bower’s graduate thesis project focuses on community service and ministry through a collaborative choreographic process involving trained and untrained dancers. She has been invited to present this case study at the Congress on Research in Dance conference at the University of California, Los Angeles in 2013.

Bower performed with Living Water Dance Company in Jackson, Mississippi from 2005 – 2006. In 2008, she co-founded Front Porch Dance, a Mississippi-based contemporary dance company. Bower is the Managing Director of the company, as well as a choreographer and performer.  She enjoys the opportunity to collaborate and perform with dancers, musicians, and visual artists throughout the state.  Front Porch Dance, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, has received funding from the Mississippi Arts Commission, the Mississippi Humanities Council, and the Greater Jackson Arts Council.

In addition to teaching at Belhaven University, Bower owns and directs the Yazoo City School of Dance, training students of all ages. Bower served on the staff of the USA International Ballet Competition in 2006, and she directed the USA IBC Dance School and Teachers Workshop in 2010.  Bower was a 2011 recipient of a Performing Arts Fellowship from the Mississippi Arts Commission, a merit-based award given to "professionals producing works of high artistic quality.”

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Rachael Inman, Dance Adjunct Faculty

Rachael Inman (2010) Specialty Instructor of Dance

BFA in Communications Management, University of Alabama, Birmingham
MFA in Dance, Florida State University
GYROKINESISÒ Certification
“Curriculum in Motion” Certification (Celeste Miller)

601-965-1402
rinman@belhaven.edu

Rachael Inman’s love of the dance arts has lead to an eclectic dance background including musical theatre, ballet, aerial dance, and traditional Middle Eastern dance.  In 2010, she was awarded the Alabama State Council on the Arts Dance fellowship.  The receipt of such an honor led to the performance of an homage to John Cage at the opening reception for Merce Cunningham’s farewell tour as well as a tour to Barcelona, Spain where she performed site-specific works throughout the region.

Inman explores Aerial Dance through her choreographic work and feels her investigation and interest in "flying” reflects a common curiosity in mankind. Fuzion Dance Artists, Inc. is a modern dance collective Inman co-founded in 2002 that blends traditional modern dance with various dance forms including Middle Eastern and aerial dance, as well as Afro-modern and technologically-infused work.

Her Lebanese heritage has inspired her research in Middle Eastern dance and has lead her to collaborate with Licensed Therapist, Melea Stephens to develop dance therapy curriculum that addresses the female body image while employing movement material that originates from Middle Eastern dance techniques.  Inman and family are recent transplants to the area and are slowly becoming “Jacksonians”--she is the proud mother of three wonderful daughters and partner to a most supportive husband.

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Caleb Mitchell Caleb Mitchell (2009) Assistant Professor of Dance

MFA in Dance, University of California, Irvine
BFA in Dance, University of Arizona
Houston Ballet  (1998-2007)

cmitchell@belhaven.edu
601-965-1421

Caleb Mitchell was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan where he received early ballet training at the age of 16 under Rose Marie Floyd.  After graduating cum laude in 1998 with a BFA in dance from the University of Arizona, Caleb joined the Houston Ballet under Ben Stevenson, O.B.E.-emeritus and later Stanton Welch, artistic director.  Soon after, Mr Mitchell became a graduate student at the University of California, Irvine, and later received his MFA in dance with an emphasis on pedagogy and choreography in June, 2009.

Mitchell's choreographic projects include works set on, Neos Dance Company, Hosannah Sacred Arts, dancers from the Houston Ballet, Houston Ballet II, Houston Metropolitan Dance Company, Ad Deum Dance Company, Le Lien Ballet Theater, Uptown Dance Company, Masterworks Art Festival, University of California, Irvine, and Brigham Young University.  During his tenure at UCI, Mr. Mitchell was awarded the Medici scholar grant to do choreographic research with world renowned choreographer Alonzo King (Lines Ballet) and Jacopo Godani (Frankfurt Ballet) for his thesis. Caleb's most recent choreographic project "Sanctuary", a world premiere, was a collaborative with world renowned choreographer Dr. Donald McKayle and performed by the Etude Dance Ensemble and the UCI Symphony Orchestra at UCI Irvine in April 2009.

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Laura MortonLaura Morton (2004), Associate Professor of Dance

BS in Psychology, University Of Houston
Instructor, Houston Ballet Ben Stevenson Academy
Co-director, Ad Deum Dance Company

lmorton@belhaven.edu
601-965-1403

Laura Morton’s background includes extensive training in classical ballet, jazz, and modern from prestigious dance educators such as Anne and Nicholas Polajenko, ABT’s Alexander Minz, and at Ballet West with director Bruce Marks and Toni Lander.  Her professional credits include Milwaukee Ballet, Delia Stewart Dance Company, Houston Metropolitan Dance Company and Ad Deum Dance Company.  She has also earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Houston.

Morton has taught nationally and internationally.  Her teaching credentials include serving on the faculties of Summer Arts Session (Ravensburg, Germany), Pacific Northwest School of Ballet (Seattle, WA), Evergreen City Ballet (Auburn, WA), Houston Metropolitan Dance Center, (Houston, TX), Houston Ballet Ben Stevenson Academy (Houston, TX), and Ad Deum Dance Company (Houston, TX).  While holding these various positions, her responsibilities included instructing, rehearsing, restaging classical ballets, choreographing, as well as lighting designer and stage manager.  All of these responsibilities enabled her to share the invaluable information passed on to her by the many remarkable teachers that have mentored her as well as her own years of teaching experience. 

Within her technique classes, Morton implements an anatomical approach. She focuses on what capacities need to be developed and attempts to untangle and correct any alignment, placement, and/or performance challenges.  She stresses to her students the importance of a healthy lifestyle so as to avoid injury in technique class, rehearsal, and performance.

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Erin RockwellErin Scheiwe Rockwell (2008) Specialty Instructor of Dance

MFA in Dance, California State University, Long Beach
BA in Dance, St. Olaf College
Pilates Certification, Body Arts and Science International (BASI)

erockwell@belhaven.edu
601-965-1422

Erin Scheiwe Rockwell graduated Summa Cum Laude with a MFA in Dance from California State University, Long Beach (2008) and Cum Laude with a BA in Dance from St. Olaf University (2001). Her choreography has been presented nationally by several dance companies, schools, and festival.  During her four years between degree programs, Rockwell lived in New York City where she enjoyed choreographing for a dance theatre company called Notes In Motion and performing with a variety of independent choreographers.

While studying in California, Rockwell obtained her comprehensive Pilates teacher training with dance specialization through Body Arts and Science International and taught Pilates and modern dance at CSULB.  She studied directly with master Pilates instructor and dance scientist, Karen Clippinger, who developed a dance specific repertoire based on classical Pilates philosophy and technique. With background in both classical and dance specific Pilates repertoire, she appreciates working with diverse populations to help individuals and groups achieve their specific fitness goals.

Throughout her career, Rockwell’s interest in technology has inspired her to direct and edit several short dance films, attended and present work at international film workshops/festivals, as well as fuse screendance within her stage choreography. She has developed curriculum for Belhaven’s dance department aiming to expand student’s knowledge and creative potential to support their academic and choreographic pursuits. 

In 2008, Rockwell co-founded a dance company called Font Porch Dance (www.frontporchdance.com), a Mississippi based dance collective aimed at creating approachable dance art that promotes awareness and appreciation of contemporary dance.  The company continues to present original choreographic work throughout Mississippi often in collaboration with local musicians and visual artists.  In addition to sitting on the company’s Board of Directors, Rockwell works as Production Director, choreographer, and performer.  

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Ravenna WagonRavenna Tucker Wagon (2006), Associate Professor of Dance

Masters of Creative Industries, Queensland University of Technology
Pilates Certification, Body Arts and Science International (BASI)
Associate of The Royal Academy of Dance
Royal Ballet School Teachers’ Course for Professional Dancers (TCPD).
The Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing Diploma (C.S.T.D.)

rtucker@belhaven.edu
601-965-1420

Ravenna Tucker, as known throughout her career, was born in Malaysia and began dancing in Hong Kong under Paula Lau. In 1978, she won the Adeline Genée Gold Medal Competition, and in 1979, the French Foundation Prize at the Prix de Lausanne. She joined The Royal Ballet in 1979, and was named “Dancer of the Year” by Dance and Dancers magazine in 1984. She was promoted to principal dancer in 1985 and danced the title roles in the Royal Ballet versions of the classics. In 1990, she joined the Birmingham Royal Ballet until 1996.  Tucker has also performed with Singapore Dance Theatre, International Dance Day 2001 in Manila, Rose Borromeo Dance Company (Flamenco), Project Dance London in 2011, and the Mississippi Dance Festival in 2012.

In 1997, Tucker joined LASALLE-SIA College of the Arts in Singapore as a full-time dance lecturer, and in 2006 she became Associate Professor of Dance at Belhaven University.  She has guest taught for Singapore Dance Theatre, Debra Colker Dance Company, and the USA International Ballet Competition 2010 in Jackson.

Tucker has served as Secretary for the Dance Association (Singapore)/World Dance Alliance Asia-Pacific Dance Bridge 2001 conference, Artistic Committee of Singapore Dance Theatre, Artistic Director of Singapore Dance Legacy: The Unsung Heroes – Tony Llacer in 2004, and as a selection committee member for the USA International Ballet Competition 2010 in Jackson. She has examined for the Royal Academy of Dance Solo Seal and judged various ballet competitions in Britain, Hong Kong, and Malaysia.

Tucker is a certified teacher for the Royal Academy of Dance, the Commonwealth Society of Teachers’ of Dancing, Body Arts and Science International (BASI) Pilates, and holds a Masters of Creative Industries from Queensland University of Technology in Australia. Tucker is now married to Stan Wagnon.

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Elizabeth Gordon, Belhaven Dance FacultyEmily Wright (2008), Assistant Professor of Dance

MFA in Dance, Arizona State University
BFA in Dance, Belhaven University

601-965-1461
ewright@belhaven.edu

Emily Wright received her BFA in Dance from Belhaven University in 2002, and her MFA in Dance, with an emphasis in Performance and Choreography, from Arizona State University in 2007.  Ms. Wright has presented her research on contemporary American Protestant dance at numerous national and international conferences, including the Congress on Research in Dance, the National Dance Education Organization, and the Nordic Forum on Dance Research.  Her most recent publication is a chapter in the dance ethnography text, Fields in Motion:  Ethnography in the Worlds of Dance (2011).  She is currently pursuing further scholarship as a member of the doctoral cohort at the Texas Woman's University PhD in Dance in Denton, Texas.  Ms. Wright was a founding member and development director of the Jackson-based contemporary dance collective, Front Porch Dance.  She currently serves on their board of directors.  

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Adjunct Faculty

Hannah Johnson (2013), Adjunct Instructor of Dance

BFA, Belhaven University

hjohnson@belhaven.edu

Hannah Johnson graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance from Belhaven University (2012).  Johnson began her ballet training at Ballet Magnificat! in Jackson, Mississippi. Later, she trained under teachers such as Eugenia Keefer (California Ballet Company) and Dalia Hay (Pennsylvania Ballet). After she moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, she passed Cecchetti grades one through three. She there performed as a member of Colorado Youth Ballet under the direction of Patty Hoffman (Ballet Rambert) and Holly Marble (Nevada Ballet Theater) in soloist and corps de ballet roles in Sleeping Beauty, Coppelia, Peter and the Wolf, and Cinderella. She also performed with Opera Theatre of the Rockies and as Clara in The Nutcracker with the San Diego Ballet. In Colorado, she appeared multiple times on local television and in newspaper articles in conjunction with her ballet studio. While at Belhaven University, Johnson studied under Betsy McMillan, Stephen Wynne, and Britta Heermann-Wynne, as well as current faculty members Laura Morton-Zebert, Caleb Mitchell, Ravenna Tucker-Wagnon, Cynthia Newland, Erin Rockwell, Krista Bower, and Emily Wright. 

Johnson is a member of Intersect Dance Collective, a local modern dance ensemble that works to intertwine spiritual truth and humor with dance. Johnson is now in the process of applying for the new Master of Fine Arts in dance program at Belhaven University and studying to gain her Level 1 Dance Notation certification.

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Sol Nazario, Adjunct Dance Instructor

Sol Maisonet-Nazario (2010) – Adjunct Instructor of Dance

AD, Public Administration – University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
History of Arts – University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Ballet Training Certificate - Cuban Method - Pro-Danza Company - Ms. Laura Alonso. Habana, Cuba.
Principal Dancer: Ballet Puertorriqueño – Ramon Segarra, National Ballet of Colombia – Bogota, Colombia, Ballet Theater Municipal of Puerto Rico.
Ballet Mistress, Rehearsal Director, Trainee Program Director and School of the Arts Principal- Ballet Magnificat!

601-965-1461
snazario@belhaven.edu

Sol Maisonet-Nazario is originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico. She started teaching Classical Ballet in the year 1977 and has coached many professional dancers in several ballet companies in Puerto Rico, Colombia, Costa Rica, and the USA.  During her 25 years as professional dancer, the Puerto Rico Institute of Culture awarded her several times to travel to New York City to train under Madame Maggie Black, Ramón Segarra and David Howard.  As Principal dancer with Ballet Puertorriqueño, Ballet Theatre Municipal of San Juan, Ballet Concierto, and Ballets of San Juan, Nazario has performed leading roles in well-known ballets, including Waltz of Ravel, Symphony in Three Movements, The Nutcracker, Les Sylphides, Swan Lake, Rites of Spring, Tango Expectro, The Merry Widow, and George Balanchine’s Rubies, Serenad, Who Cares, as well as other companies’ repertoire.

In 1984, the Colombia Government invited her to perform with The Ballet National of Colombia in Bogotá under artistic director Ramon Segarra.  Several ballets where choreographed for her during her one year as Principal Dancer.  In 1988 Nazario was invited to represent Puerto Rico, with Ballets de San Juan, at the 5th Iberoamerican Festival, Oscar Lopez in Barcelona, Spain and finished as a finalist with Petra Bravo’s (a Cuban choreographer) piece, Que Signo Lleva el Amor (what is the sign of love).  In 1993, Nazario, co-founded with choreographers Gabry Christa, from Holland, and Gloria Llompart the company called Danzadentro in San Juan, Puerto Rico.  She performed the company’s repertoire in Puerto Rico and New York City until 1995 when she once again represented Puerto Rico in Barcelona, Spain with her own choreography, Una Vez al Mes.  On another two occasions, she was chosen to represent Puerto Rico with Petra Bravo's Un Solo Dueto and the Virgin Islands with Gabry Christa's Matutina in the Latin-American Dance Congress held in Caracas, Venezuela.  In 2001, Nazario moved to Jackson, Mississippi to join the premier Christian Ballet Company, Ballet Magnificat, where she was the Ballet Mistress and Principal for their School of the Arts until December, 2009.  In January 2010, she joined Belhaven University’s Dance Department faculty as Adjunct Instructor of dance. 

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Mia Whitehead (2012), Adjunct Instructor of Dance

Dance Apprentice Program, Belhaven University
Company member, Ballet San Antonio
Company member, TALK Dance Co.

601-965-1402
mwhitehead@belhaven.edu

Mia Whitehead graduated from Belhaven University’s Dance Apprentice Program (2004). Whitehead moved to San Antonio, TX to dance professionally with Ballet San Antonio for three years, and later returned to Jackson, MS where she danced with TALK Dance Co. for two years. Whitehead has also danced and taught internationally with Shachah Touring Dance Company (2008). Whitehead became the dance instructor for the USA International Ballet Competition’s outreach program, CityDance (2010).

As an instructor at Belhaven University, Whitehead has worked extensively with the lower ballet levels to create a good foundation for more complex movement. She also works with the Dance Ministry Ensemble, scheduling presentations and directing rehearsals.

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Staff:

Doc DavisC. E. Doc Davis (2011), Director of Dance Production

MFA in Theatre, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
BA in Theatre, Belhaven College

601-965-1401
cdavis@belhaven.edu

C. E. Doc Davis was conferred a Master of Fine Arts degree in technical theatre (specializing in sound design and production) from the University of Illinois in 2011 and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre from Belhaven College in 2008. He has worked with international artistic groups representing the arts of Dance, Theatre, and Music, acting primarily as a sound designer and engineer.

During his time in Illinois, Davis worked as a sound engineer for the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, a five-venue space designed to allow a performances from artists of all kinds. While there, he worked with musical artists such as Ani Difranco, The Derek Trucks Band, Keb’ Mo’, Bill Frisell, The National, and many others. He also had the opportunity to work with touring dance acts such as Merce Cunningham, Mark Morris Dance Group, Armitage Gone!, and Diavolo Dance Theatre. In 2010 he had the opportunity to work closely with the Ralph Lemon Dance Company during the process of restaging his work “How Can You Stay In The House All Day and Not Go Anywhere…” Also during this time, Davis worked as a Sound Designer for a variety of Department of Dance, Department of Theatre, and Department of Opera productions.

Outside of his time in Illinois, Davis has done various work with recording artists such as Dolly Parton, Breaking Benjamin, The Temptations, Fireflight, and Royal Tailor. He has worked as a location sound recordist and re-recording mixer for award-winning art films such as The Dynamiter and Zeitebombe!.

During his time at Belhaven, Davis has worked hard to ensure that students have the necessary skills for the modern landscape of technical theatre. He has generated curriculums dealing with modern lighting, audio, video, and rigging techniques, and has upgraded the Dance Department’s studio theatre’s lighting system to use state-of-the-art LED units and an industry-standard control system.

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Angelle Mundia (2010), Costume Designer and Adjunct Instructor

BFA in Technical Theater with an emphasis in Costume Design, Belhaven University, Jackson MS

601-965-1402
amundia@belhaven.edu

Angelle Mundia graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Technical Theatre with an emphasis in Costume Design from Belhaven University (2005). Soon after graduation, she started a business, Angelle’s Custom Creations, LLC, and began designing and sewing in the community. Mundia has frequently worked as a guest artist with New Stage Theatre, designing shows such as: Dracula; Beauty and the Beast, Jr.; Twelfth Night; and The Miracle Worker. Her design work also includes work with Dance Companies, Dance Studios, Churches as well as individuals.

As the Costume Designer for Belhaven University, Mundia has increased in-house production to over 100 costumes per semester. She also developed the curriculum for the costume for dance course. As a work-study supervisor, Mundia has a rotating crew of 5-6 students each semester that are taught to design and sew. She also oversees general organization and upkeep of the costume shop.

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Miranda Williams (2013), Dance Athletic Trainer

Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training, Eastern Illinois University
Master of Science in Sport and Human Performance, Delta State University
NATA Board Certified Athletic Trainer
First Aid, CPR, AED Certification

601-965-7003
mnwilliams@belhaven.edu

Miranda Williams graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL in 2011.  She will graduate May 2013 with a Master’s of Science in Sport and Human Performance from Delta State University in Cleveland, MS.  Miranda is a National Athletic Trainer’s Association Board Certified Athletic Trainer.  She is also certified in First Aid, CPR, and AED use. 

Williams worked as a Graduate Assistant Certified Athletic Trainer for a year and a half with Delta State University Athletics, primarily women’s basketball and women’s soccer.  At Eastern Illinois University, part of her clinical experience involved working with certified athletic trainers in care of the women’s soccer, women’s basketball, and football teams, as well as experience and observation in hospitals, surgery, and outpatient physical therapy clinics.  Between graduation from EIU and beginning her assistantship at Delta State, Williams developed a six week sports performance program for junior high and high school athletes. 

Growing up, Williams participated in dance classes recreationally and competitively.  Her history with dance has led to her interest in working with and caring for dancers with the Belhaven University Dance Department as the Dance Athletic Trainer.  Williams provides vital attention and work in the care, evaluation, treatment, and prevention of the dancers’ injuries.  Williams also assists dance instructors with conditioning and strengthening programs. 

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