Two dancers from Southeastern were chosen to perform in the American College Dance Festival Association’s (ACDFA) National Festival in May 2010 at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.  

According to a June 16 press release, “At 10 regional festivals from across the nation with 5,000 participants, 431 choreographic works were adjudicated, and of those pieces, only 30 were selected for performance at the Kennedy Center.”

Nicole Judson, a senior majoring in business administration, and Jeoffery Harris, a senior majoring in digital design, executed a modern piece choreographed by Harris entitled “River Rise” which pertained to the Underground Railroad.  Although Judson and Harris are pursuing other degrees at Southeastern, they are both dance minors and study dance with great passion.  

A panel of three judges selected four dances from the top 10 or 11 dances of each region at the ACDFA regionals in March 2010, and the performers in each piece were then chosen to attend the nationals at the Kennedy Center.

“I felt very privileged and nervous as well, only because it was a new place and new stage,” said Judson.  “Although I was nervous, I was very happy to perform for an audience of dancers/artists who could really appreciate the piece for what it is.  Every audience is different and this audience was by far the best audience I have ever performed for.”

Dr. Martie Fellom, a dance professor at Southeastern, was included in this audience.

“Jeoffery and Nicole performed with beautiful precision and genuine commitment at the Kennedy Center,” stated Fellom in a June 16 press release.  “I had tears in my eyes as I watched the dance.  After viewing three nights of concerts, I am reassured that college dance is alive and well in the United States, especially at Southeastern.”

Preparation for the national conference included roughly three to four months of rehearsals, and lots of trial and error during those rehearsals.  

“It’s been a process of the taking modern dance classes, taking the choreography class and also choreographing other pieces up to this point before I thought they were ready to bring their work to festival and to be adjudicated,” said Dana Brewer-Plazinic, a choreography teacher at Southeastern.  

Every year the judges select eight out of about 50 pieces to be performed a second time on the last night of the festival and they call that performance the Gala.  Every other year, the judges select three of the Gala pieces to go to nationals, and Harris’ was chosen as one of those top three.

Judson has been dancing for around nine years and is fond of the way that dancing allows one to express him or herself without speaking.

“My favorite part about dancing is the ability to express yourself through movement,” said Judson.  “I love watching dance as well because it is so beautiful to see how many ways people can express themselves and speak through movement.”

This experience gave Judson and Harris the opportunity to network with other dancers, choreographers and teachers.  They were rewarded with the recognition they received afterwards, the chance to visit Washington D.C. and to perform at a well renowned performing arts center.  Harris is the first student from Southeastern whose choreography was selected on a national level.  

Harris said that he was nervous, but “It all changed as soon as I stepped on stage,” said Harris.  “The main idea was just trying to get my point across about my piece and trying to stay focused on stage.  I guess I wanted to show that I actually belonged.”

Judson and Harris distinguished themselves and Southeastern at the Kennedy Center.  

“Everyone at the festival was so important and we met so many professional choreographers and dancers that our name and the name Southeastern Louisiana University became something that people will always remember due to our performance,” said Judson.  

For more information about the dance program at Southeastern, visit www.selu.edu/acad_research/programs/dance/.