VITAMIN
DANCE
Movement Education
& Performance Art
Currently the lead DanceAbility teacher in Lane County, offering movement improvisation classes for every body.
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DanceAbility Classes can be found on the organization's website:
TEACHING
CHOREOGRAPHY
PERFORMANCE
JANA MESZAROS
is a choreographer, dancer, movement educator and University of Oregon dance department alum based in Eugene, Oregon. She has worked with many prominent artists along the west coast, most notably Kathleen Hermesdorf of La Alternativa, Alito Alessi, Shannon Mockli, Katie Griffin, Sara Shelton Mann and Brad Garner of Harmonic Laboratory. Her study of dance design has allowed her to create a strong modern dance repertory and she has presented work regularly for the last seven years, completing two artistic residences in San Francisco in the process. Her broad repertory explores gestural movement, interpersonal relationships, story-telling and high drama. She has produced both independent and collaborative work, completing a series of four pieces for the local organization Dance in Dialogue, where she now serves on the operational board. As a 2015 recipient of an Oregon Arts Commission grant, she created a new mixed-abilities work under the mentorship of Alito Alessi. In 2017, the work, entitled "You Belong" was invited to be a part of the permanent repertoire of the DanceAbility Co.
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Her main focus, however, is movement education, with over 15 years experience working with students of all ages through many different forms. As a certified DanceAbility teacher, she leads all of the current local mixed abilities classes and facilitates workshops centered around inclusive dance. She also serves as Rehearsal Director for the performance company and contributes choreographically to the company's repertory.
Dance has been a way of life, an artistic medium, a way to reach people, and a personal joy. Current research takes her into the world of dance and the brain, her Master's Certification in the DanceAbility Method, set for October 2017, is supporting this line of inquiry.
She is also presenting and performing with local company Pop-Up Dance Boutique.
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After All, performed at DiD#12
Collaborative process with Rick Levin
Bargain Store, (at 14:55)
excerpt from Finding A Way of Being, by Shannon Mockli, performed at HiFi Music Hall for Dance in Dialogue
RESUME
Dancer/Choreographer/Educator
University of Oregon: Bachelor's of Arts: Dance, Minor Degree: Business
Certified DanceAbility Curriculum Movement Educator
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Most Recent Work/Training
DanceAbility International: Eugene, OR
Lead Teacher, Summer 2015 - Present
Rehearsal Director January 2016 - Present
Dancer Summer 2015 - Present
Current Research, mixed abilities, mentorship
Guest artist choreographer, Fall 2015
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Vitamin Dance: Eugene, OR & Austin, TX
Co-Founder/Choreographer
Presented new work at four venues in 2015, including Dance in
Dialogue and Harmonic Laboratory’s (sub)Urban Projections)
Dance in Dialogue: Eugene, OR
Choreographer, juried community show. Presented work in five
quarterly showings, including a fully produced performance hosted
by UO Dance Department in November 2014.
Fresh Festival: San Francisco, CA
January 2015, studied high caliber modern, contact, partnering and
improvisation with Kathleen Hermesdorf, Albert Mathias, Sara Shelton
Mann, Abby Crain and Sherwood Chen.
Choreography and Presentation Experience
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Residencies:
Kunst-Stoff Arts, Underground Resident Dance Program (URD) // San Francisco, CA
The Garage, Art Safe-House, Summer Series 2012 // San Francisco, CA
Independent Work:
"Counter Chord" Presented throughout DanceAbility Summer Tour, 2016
“Down” Presented at A3 Fall Concert, December 2015
Presented at DiD November 2015
Presented with Vitamin D at Coastal Showing, Ophir, Oregon, November 2015
“Trio” Presented at Breitenbush evening showing, March 2015
“18 Steps” Presented with Vitamin D at (sub)Urban Projections, Eugene, OR Jan 2015
“The No-Shows” Presented at UNREFINED, Eugene, OR, May 2014
Presented at Dance in Dialogue Showing at the Hult, Eugene, OR April 2014
Presented at MARK/MOVE at Kunst-Stoff Arts, San Francisco, CA May 2013
Presented at The Garage, San Francisco, CA May 2013 and October 2013
Presented at IGNITE Choreographer’s Showcase, San Diego, CA May 2013
Presented at Arts Showcase, Alameda, CA, October 2013
Presented as a site-specific work in Oakland, CA, October 2013
"Floors" Dance-for-film Presented at FRESH Fest at Kunst-Stoff Arts, San Francisco, CA Jan 2013
"Le Petit Fleur" Presented at FRESH Fest at Kunst-Stoff Arts, San Francisco, CA, Jan 2013
"Subterraneans" Presented at The Garage as the culmination of the Residency, San Francisco, Sep 2012
"Subterraneans" Presented in Excerpt at The AAA Fall Concert, Springfield, OR October 2012
Presented in Excerpt at Kunst-Stoff Arts Fest, San Francisco, CA May 2012
Presented in Excerpt at Central Market Arts Show, UN Plaza, San Francisco, CA May 2012
Presented in Excerpt at Levy Dance's Quarterly Salon, May 2012
"Lay it Down" Dance Film Presented at the Benefit for Westbody, Feb 2012
"Cont. 1: Moon Study" Presented at Ignite Choreographer's Showcase, San Diego, CA, May 2012
Guest artist at Torsades de Pointes "Choices" Concert, Portland, OR November 2011
"The Hair Cut" Presented at LaAlternativa's NEW/FRESH/NOW Intensive, San Francisco, CA Dec 2011
"Continuation A" Presented at LaAlternativa's SWEAT Intensive, San Francisco, CA Summer 2011
"Five Seated Figures" Presented at Dance(Space)Project, Eugene, OR, May 2011
"3" Dance-for-Film Presented at Dance(Space)Project and at the Academy of Arts & Academics, April 2011
"Hard Time Killing Floor" Presented at Lane Community College's spring performance The Works, May 2010
"Little Go Around" Presented at Lane Community College's spring performance The Works, May 2010
Theatre Work:
"Get Smart" (Choreographer/fight scene coordinator) Rose Children's Theatre, Spring 2011
"Pinocchio"(Assistant to the choreographer) Rose Children's Theatre, February 2011
"You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown" (Choreographer) Pleasant Hill Community Theatre, November 2010
"In Our Hands Now" (Choreographer) Gold Beach High School Drama Dept. Spring 2005
Work Presented at the UO School of Music and Dance:
"Shapes a Day Make" Choreographer/Producer Spring Student Dance Concert, May 2009
"Molecule" Presented at the informal Loft Concert, May 2008
“Overpower” Presented at the Annual LGBQTA Spring Benefit
Performance Experience
Company Experience:
Harmonic Laboratory Dancer, 2013 Spring Season
Dance Africa Company Company member, 2009/2010 season
Ifill Dance Company Company member 2009/2010 Season
Dancing for Independent Choreographers:
(sub)Urban Projections “Poem” (Cynthia Guttierrez) Jan 2015
FRESH Fest "Frank" (Katie Griffin) Jan 2013
Kunst-Stoff Arts Fest "Frank" (Katie Griffin) Jan 2013
La Alternativa's NEW/FRESH Score by Sara Shelton Man, Jan 2012 Score by Kathleen Hermesdorf
La Alternativa's SWEAT "When I'm 64" (Emily Leonard) Summer 2011
Dance(Space)Project "Hung Up" (Mara Bateman) May 2011
A3 Spring Show "Hung Up" (Mara Bateman) April 2011
Dance For A Reason "Hung Up" (Mara Bateman) February 2011
Songs By Artist "Exit 17" (Shannon Mockli) November 2010
UO SSDC "99 Curves" (Mara Bateman) Spring 2010
Film Project "The Magic Flute" (Shannon Mockli) Summer 2009
Theatre Performances:
Rose Children's Theatre's "Pinocchio" Role of Maria/Washerwoman, Winter 2010
University of Oregon:
UO Repertory Dance Company, member, ‘09 season Jenifer Craig, Steven Chatfield, Rita Honka
Faculty Dance Concert "1st Person/POV" (Walter Kennedy) Fall 2009
Spring Student Dance Concert "La Boompsy" (Valerie Ifill) Spring 2008
"View From the Acropolis" (Desiree Townley) Spring 2007
"Inner Conflict" (Sarah Bixby) Spring 2007
Fall Quarterly Informal Concert "Let Me Get My Shoes…" (Coco Loupe) Fall 2006
"Group Piece" (Amy Stoddart) Fall 2006
Forbidden Fruit Theatre Company "Rocky Horror Picture Show" Shadow Cast Roles, 2005- 2008
UO Theatre in the Pocket "Picnic on the Battlefiield" Role of "Medic"
Dance Training
Modern Technique & Improvisation
UO Dept of Dance Modern Technical Series Eugene, OR 2014/15/16
Shannon Mockli, Brad Garner
Breitenbush Contact Improvisation Spring Jam Detroit, OR 2014
La Alternativa's GUT Motives Training Series San Francisco, CA 2011/12/13
Kathleen Hermesdorf Modern Technique
La Alternativa's Seasonal Intensives with Kathleen Hermesdorf San Francisco, CA
FRESH Festival Winter 2012 and 2013
NEW/FRESH/NOW Winter Intensive 2011 and 2012
SWEAT Summer Intensive 2011
Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet Summer Program Carlisle, PA, 2010 & 2011
Natalie Desch, Jonathan Riseling
Levy Dance Summer Intensive with Ben Levy San Francisco, CA, 2009
Barbara Mahler Intensive Ashland, OR, 2009
University of Oregon School of Music and Dance Eugene, OR, 2005-2009
Rita Honka, Jean Nelson, Coco Loupe,
Sarah Franco, Walter Kennedy, Shannon Mockli
Steven Chatfield, Margo Van Ummerson, Christian Cherry
Lane Community College Eugene, OR, 2009-2010
Margo VanUmmerson
Ballet Training
ODC - steady attendance in classes with Augusta Moore San Francisco, CA 2012
Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet Summer Program Carlisle, PA, 2010 & 2011
Robert Steele, Alecia Goode,
Rafael Gregorian, Melinda Howe,
Hilda Morales, Re Rabassi-Davis,
Bruce Thornton
Ballet Fantastique Eugene, OR 2009/2010
Leanne Mizzoni
Lane Community College Eugene, OR 2009/2010
Florabelle Moses
University of Oregon School of Music and Dance Eugene, OR 2005-2009
Florabelle Moses, Amy Stoddart Coco Loupe
Related Courses of Study
Kinesiology, Somatics, Composition, Dance history, tap, jazz, rhythm, collaboration, production, teaching dance, musical theatre.
Other Noteworthy Experience:
Technical Manager (2011/2012) Kunst-Stoff Arts
Managed the technical aspects of various performances in the space, organized and focused the equipment available, worked to establish a better system for integrating dynamic technical design in a small performance space.
Studio Intern (2011/2012) Kunst-Stoff Arts, under direction of Albert Mathias.
Aided in managing the space and developing the Underground Lab. Minor construction, tech work and PR for La
Alternativa, a resident company. Aided class registration and cleaning duties.
Dormitory Director (2011), Resident Advisor (2010) at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Carlisle, PA Summers 2010 & 2011
Technical Director/Sound Engineer for Rose Children's Theatre production of "Get Smart" Eugene, OR, Spring 2011
Company Intern at Dance Africa Company, Eugene, OR 2008/2009 at home and touring season
Club President at UO's Forbidden Fruit Theatre Club, Eugene, OR, 2006-2008, facilitating a new residency at the Bijou Theatre
Dance Instructor, including positions at:
TaDa Dance Studio: Freelance subbing 2011
Arts Healing Academy: Creative Movement Aug 2009-Dec 2009
SoundWave Dance Project: Instructor: Ballet, jazz, September 2004 - June 2005 and at workshops summer 2007 & 2008
Awards/Scholarships:
Staton Scholarship
CFCU College Scholarship
Ellensburg Theatre Grant, 2005
Oregon Arts Commission Career Opportunity Grantee, Fall 2015