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Taryn Packheiser, M.F.A. |
| Department of Kinesiology |
| Iowa State University |
| 279B Forker Building |
| Ames, IA 50011-1160 |
| Office: 515-294-9290 |
| e-mail: tarynpac@iastate.edu |
Teaching
At Iowa State I have taught all levels of Modern Dance, Jazz, and Dance Composition. In addition, I have taught Ballet I & II, and Teaching Children's Dance. My teaching interests are in providing technical approaches in efficiency and artistry, as well as a safe place where students can take risks as artists and grow exponentially.
Advising
I am the Advisor the student organization Orchesis I. As the advisor I am responsible for overseeing our three yearly shows:
- Family Weekend = Style, Attitude, and Class in the M-Shop
- February = Barjche in Fisher Theater
- VEISHEA Week = An alternative performance funded in part with a Focus Arts Grant
In addition to producing these shows, I meet with the officers of Orchesis I weekly on Wednesday evenings in order to cover business and organizational planning. I attend Orchesis I's weekly class on Thursday evenings too. If we do not have a guest teacher scheduled I teach the class. Classes I have taught during Orchesis I are Modern, Partnering, Improvisation, African, Hip Hop/Bgirling, and Choreography. Choreographers involved in the aforementioned shows meet with me once a week before our Thursday weekly class for one hour. During this session I provide feedback and choreographic exercises.
Other Productions
Every year we have a Scholarship Concert in the Fall and a Senior Concert in the Spring. I am responsible for booking local guest artists, coordinating the performance, and development of press materials for the Scholarship Concert in the Fall. The Senior Concert is produced in conjunction with a graduating senior in dance. I advise the students as they produce their first concert. I assist with booking the show, publicity, and overall production elements.
My Dance Composition classes produce a show at the end of each semester entitled Learning Curves. This a chance for students engaged in choreography class to perform for their peers and family. Although they are responsible for running lights, sound, and archival tasks, I oversee the production of this show through show order, technical direction, and all publicity materials.
Orchesis II (Directed by Janice Baker) produces two shows a year: Footfalls and Images of Dance. For these shows I choreograph pieces for all of my studio based technique classes. I spend time with each class developing a short choreographic piece highlighting the students development of technical training in dance. I make 3 to 5 pieces a semester for the Orchesis II shows.
2007 marked the 1st Annual T:A:R:L:A Dance for the Camera festival. I produced this screening with Carla Aubry. We screened innovative work from Colorado, New York, Philadelphia, and Iowa.
Writing and Research
Dance Theater Workshop, Fractured Atlas, Metro Arts, Ames Community Arts Council
Media Work
I am a dance critic for worlddancereviews.com. I have previously written for danceinsider.com, the Colorado Daily, and the North Carolina Dance Association.
My research involves artistic dance in media. I am interested in the historical and contemporary implications of dance on film and television. I have presented lectures addressing these topics at various academic conferences.
Professional Memberships
Dance Theater Workshop, Fractured Atlas, Metro Arts, Ames Community Arts Council
Personal Interests
I make all kinds of art, watch a lot of films, enjoy traveling to far off places, and love skiing on huge mountains. I am an avid fan of Marcel Duchamp, Andy Warhol, the Guerrilla Girls, Chris Burden, and Miranda July.
