The Transformative Power of Dance...
Curriculum Vitae
EDUCATION
M.F.A., Choreography. University of California, Los Angeles. Spring 2017.
Thesis: “Rose Colored Glasses: Can the Black, Queer Experience be the Universal Lens in PostModern Choreography” Advisor: David Rousseve.
B.F.A., Dance Performance. State University of New York, Purchase College. Spring 2001.
CHOREOGRAPHY
2021
“The Weight of Sugar"
Premiere August 2021.
Dance Film. Director: Jingqiu Guan. Composer: Karam Salem
“…at leisure…”
Anticipated Premiere March 2021. Commissioned by Suarez Dance Theatre.
Dance Film. Composer: DeFacto X
“BorderLand.HomeLand”
Anticipated Premiere April 2021. Commissioned by Texas State University.
Composer: DeFacto X
“I Used To Be Your Sweet Mama”
Premiere March 2021. California State University, Sacramento.
2020
“Declaration”
Premiere December 2020. California State University, Sacramento.
“Princess”
Premiere December 2020. California State University, Sacramento.
Dance film.
“Anew”
Premiere September 2020, Queering Dance Festival. Virtual. Commission.
Composer: DeFactoX
“Insula//Island”
Premiere (May 2020) Blaktinx Dance Festival: Dancing on the Edge. Virtual. Commission. Dance film.
“Transfiguration”
Premiere (February 2020) California State University, Sacramento.
“Things We Carry…”
Premiere (January 2020) University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. Milwaukee, WI. Commissioned choreography.
Composer: DeFacto X
2019
“La Fleurs de la Justice”
Premiere (December 2019) California State University, Sacramento.
Composer: DeFacto X
“Malaika//Angels”
Premiere (September 2019) California State University, Sacramento.
Meji//Two” (Bernard Brown/bbmoves)
Preview, Lula Washington Dance Theatre, Los Angeles, CA (June 2019), Taste of Soul, Los Angeles, CA (October 2019), B Street Theatre, Sacramento, CA (December 2019).
“Processing Sugar Notes” (In process) (Bernard Brown/bbmoves)
Expected Premiere December 2019. Preview, California State University, Sacramento (February 2019). Preview, Miles Memorial Playhouse, Santa Monica, CA (February 2019), Best Of New Shoes, Highways Performance Space, Santa Monica, CA (March 2019), Los Angeles Dance Festival, Los Angeles, CA (April 2019). Preview, Queer|sweat Dance Festival, Highways Performance Space, Santa Monica, CA (May 2019). Composer: DeFacto X
“Water//Amazi” (Bernard Brown/bbmoves)
Premiere (February 2019) Ebb & Flow Festival, Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook, Culver City, CA. Commissioned choreography. Site Specific, Dance Theater Work.
2018
“Take Care”
Premiere (November 2018) California State University, Sacramento. Composer: DeFacto X, Moses Sumney
“Come.Unity” (Bernard Brown/bbmoves)
Premiere (June 2018) Pieter Performance Space, Los Angeles. (Moving the Map platform via Dancer-Citizen). Preview (April 2018) Beatnik Studio Gallery, Sacramento, CA, Sacramento Dance Sampler, Sacramento, CA (May 2018), HATCH, Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento, CA (May 2018). Fire Dance Festival, Sacramento, CA (August 2018),California Arts Council Convening, Sacramento, CA (December 2018), Dance In Revolting Times, Dance Mission Theater, San Francisco, CA (March 2019).
“Mythology” (South Chicago Dance Theatre)
Premiere (May 2018) Mandel Hall, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Preview,
International Association of Blacks in Dance Conference and Festival, Los Angeles, CA. (January 2018). Harvest Chicago Contemporary Dance Festival, Chicago, IL. (September 2018). Composer: Steven T. Gordon
“Untamed Tongues”
Premiere (February 2018) California State University, Sacramento.
2017
“Our Backs…”
Premiere (November 2017) California State University, Sacramento. International Association Blacks in Dance Conference and Festival, El Camino College, Torrance, CA (January 2018).
“Leanin’ In” (Bernard Brown/bbmoves)
Premiere (March 2017) Brockus Project Studios, Los Angeles. Pauley Pavilion, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA. (June 2017). E. Clare Raley Studios for the Performing Arts, Sacramento, CA (March 2018). PUSHFest, ODC Theater, San Francisco, CA (September 2018). Blaktina Festival, Bootleg Theater, Los Angeles, CA. (October 2018). Blaktinx Dance Festival, Phoenix Center of the Arts, Phoenix, AZ. (August 2019). Composer: Steven T. Gordon
“Princess”
Premiere (January 2017) Fowler Museum, UCLA.
“Welcome Variation”
Premiere (January 2017) at Fowler Museum, UCLA.
2016
“MotherEarth”
Premiere (December 2016) at Royce Hall, UCLA. Fowler Museum (January 2017).
Glorya Kaufman Dance Theatre (April 2017).
Music by Kenny Burrell, Homage to Mother Earth. Costume Designer Kristina Garnett. Lighting Designer Arsenio Apillanes.
“Box”
Premiere (May 2016) at Home LA –Victoria Park (site specific). Highways Performance Space, Downtown Dance & Movement (August 2016). Nate Holden Performing Arts Center, REDCAT (November 2016). Fowler Museum (January 2017). (Theatrical Premiere) Glorya Kaufman Dance Theatre (April 2017). Aratani Theatre (January 2018).Nate Holden Performing Arts Center (January 2018). Los Angeles Dance Platform, Downtown Dance and Movement Studio (June 2018). B Street Theatre, Sacramento (December 2019), B Street Theatre, Sacramento (March 2020), Seoul International Dance Festival in TANK, Seoul S. Korea, (July 2020). Collaborator/Composer Steven Gordon.
"Two"
Premiered (March 2016). Collaboration with Charbel Royahem. California State Summer School Association 30th Anniversary Gala at Fig + Olive, West Hollywood, CA.
“Active/Passive”
Premiere February 2016. Glorya Kaufman Dance Theater, UCLA . Highways Performance Space, Santa Monica, CA (October 2016). Glorya Kaufman Dance Theatre, UCLA (April 2017). Composer: Sarah Summers. Costume designer: Kristina Garnett. Lighting designer: Arsenio Apillanes.
"Finding Her Light"
Premiere February 2016. Short Film. Assistant Choreographer. Director: Maieka Saint-Albin. Pan African Film Festival, Los Angeles .
2015
“Reveal”
Premiere October 2015. Highways Performance Space, Santa Monica, CA. Veil design: Armando Palacios.
“Champion”
Premiere June 2015. Kaufman Hall, UCLA . Japanese American National Museum, Los Angeles, CA (February 2016).
"Be There"
Short Film. Choreographer. Directed by Brooks Yang (March 2015).
“Chromosome”
Premiere March 2015. Original score by Casey Brown and Stephen Spies. Live accompaniment by Stephen Spies (viola). Royce Hall Terrace, UCLA . Highways Performance Space, Santa Monica, CA (October 2015).
2014
“Threat”
Premiere December 2014. Kaufman Hall, UCLA.
"Grave"
Premiered August 2014. Lula Washington Dance Theatre Studio. Tri Arts Festival, San Pedro (September 2014).
"Jazz Passages Experience"
Premiere April 2014. Multimedia: Jon Deshler. Live Music by Jon Deshler (trumpet), Doug MacBeath (Bass) as Jazz Passages Duo, and Happi Price (vocals). Lula Washington Dance Theatre Studio, Los Angeles, CA.
2013
"On the Edge"
Premiere November 2013. Commission. Campus Theater, El Camino College, Torrance, CA.
"Break"
Premiered at the Marsee Auditorium, El Camino College, Torrance, CA (November 2013). American College Dance Association, California State University, Long Beach, Martha B. Knoebel Theater (March 2015).
2006
"My Life as an Onion"
Solo. Recited text. Premiered at Patrick's Cabaret, Minneapolis, (February 2006).
"MBHY"
Premiere February 2006. Premiered at Patrick's Cabaret, Minneapolis, MN.
2005
"Treemonisha"
Premiere February 2005. Opera composed by Scott Joplin. Performed by Northstar Opera (now Skylark Opera). Premiered at Pearson Theater, Concordia University, Saint Paul, MN.
2002
"Love Songs"
Premiere December 2002. Musical. Brooklyn Baptist Choir. Premiered at Brooklyn Baptist Church, Brooklyn, NY.
2001
"Losing Momentum"
Premiere February 2001. Lighting by Stacey-Jo Marine. Premiered at Dance Theater Lab, Purchase College, Purchase, NY.
PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE
Dance Companies
David Rousseve/REALITY (2015-Present)
Los Angeles, CA
Dancer
Lula Washington Dance Theatre (1997-Present)
Los Angeles, CA
Principal Dancer/Rehearsal Director
Jazz Antiqua Music and Dance Ensemble (2005-14)
Los Angeles, CA
Guest Artist
TU Dance (2004-2007)
Minneapolis, MN
Dancer/Rehearsal Assistant
Shaluza Gum Boot Dancers (2003)
Guest Artist
Shapiro & Smith Dance (2002-2006)
Minneapolis, MN
Dancer
Doug Elkins Dance Company (2001-2002)
Dancer
Louis Johnson Dance Theater Ensemble (2001-2002)
Dancer
Other Performing Experience (select)
"Letter to a Man" Robert Wilson, Director
Royce Hall, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
Lucinda Childs, Choreographer
Body Double/Shadow for Mikhail Baryshnikov
November 2016
"NAACP Theater Awards" Lula Washington, Choreographer
Saban Theater, Beverly Hills, CA
Dancer, November 2016
"Following Beatrix" Flora Weigmann, Choreographer
Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA
Collaborator/Dancer, October 2016
"Mother/Father" Christine Suarez, Choreographer
Dancer, May 2016
"Un/Seen Forces" Luis Tentindo, Choreographer
Glorya Kaufman Dance Theater, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
Puppeteer, Dancer, Collaborator, April 2016
"Pang!" Dan Froot, Director
Actor, March 2016
"Nonfiction Eviction Depiction: Excerpts from Oral History Transcripts"
Dan Froot, Director
Launch of UCLA Luskin Institute on Inequality and Democracy
Japanese American National Museum, Los Angeles, CA
Actor, February 2016
"Symphonic Body" Ann Carlson, Choreographer
Royce Hall, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
Dancer, November 2015
"Dizzy Feet Foundation Gala" Nigel Lythgoe, Director
The Novo DTLA, Los Angeles, CA
Dancer, August 2015
"Message for my Peeps" Tamica Washington, Choreographer
Music Center Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Lead Dancer/Rehearsal Director, July 2015
"Solos for Home" Alison D'Amato, Choreographer
Home LA - J.B. Merrill House, Los Angeles, CA
Dancer, April 2015
"Hidden Choreographies" Lea Anderson, Choreographer
Glorya Kaufman Dance Theater, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
Dancer, December 2014
"Another Star" Dwight Rhoden, Choreography
Ford Theater, Los Angeles, CA
Dancer, August 2013
"Playboy Jazz Festival", Artist: ELEW, Pat Taylor, Choreographer
Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CA
Dancer, June 2013
"Loving the Silent Tears" Vincent Patterson, Director, Bonnie Story, Choreographer
The Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, CA
Dancer, October 2012
"Tribute to Donald McKayle" Stephanie Powell, Director
Irvine Barclay Theater, Irvine, CA
Remounted choreography "Up on the Mountain" by Donald McKayle (1972),
March 2012
"Governor's Conference" Lula Washington, Choreographer
Gibson Amphitheater, Los Angeles, CA
Dancer, August 2008
"Reflections on a Black Nativity" Austene Van, Director
Penumbra Theater Company, St. Paul, MN
Principal Dancer - Joseph, Uri Sands, Choreography
December 2006, 2005
"Masters of African American Choreography"
The Kennedy Center, Washington D.C.
Dancer, "Games" (1951) as Sissy Boy, Donald McKayle, Choreographer
April 2005
"Daytime Emmy's" Louis J. Horvitz, Director
Pasadena Civic Center, Pasadena, CA
Dancer, 2000
"Aveda Hair Show" Lula Washington, Choreographer
Long Beach Convention Center
Dancer, Hair Model, August 1997
"The Harlem Nutcracker" Donald Byrd, Director/Choreographer
The Wiltern Theater, Los Angeles, CA
Dancer, December 1996
Film & Televison
"Movement with a Meaning" Jim Shum, Director
Dancer, Documentary, 2012
"Crazy on the Outside" Tim Allen, Director
Dancer, Motion Picture, 2010
"Almanac" Twin Cities Public Television
Dancer, TU Dance (segment), 2007
"Gospel/Kwanzaa" KCET (Public Television)
Dancer, Lula Washington Dance Theatre (segment), 2000
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Academic
African Caribbean Dance: Beginning Dunham Technique
Assistant Professor (Fall 2020, Spring 2020, Fall 2019, Spring 2019, Fall 2018, Fall 2017)
Department of Theatre & Dance, California State University, Sacramento
Dance Cultures of America
Assistant Professor (Spring 2020, Fall 2019, Fall 2018, Fall 2017)
Department of Theatre & Dance, California State University, Sacramento
Composition I
Assistant Professor (Fall 2020, Fall 2019, Fall 2018, Fall 2017)
Department of Theatre & Dance, California State University, Sacramento
Jazz Dance Technique I
Assistant Professor (Fall 2019)
Department of Theatre & Dance, California State University, Sacramento
Jazz Dance Technique III
Assistant Professor (Spring 2021, Spring 2020, Spring 2019, Spring 2018)
Department of Theatre & Dance, California State University, Sacramento
Contemporary Dance Technique II
Assistant Professor (Fall 2019)
Department of Theatre & Dance, California State University, Sacramento
Contemporary Dance Technique III
Assistant Professor (Fall 2020)
Department of Theatre & Dance, California State University, Sacramento
Rehearsal and Performance (Sacramento/Black Art of Dance)
Assistant Professor (Spring 2021, Spring 2020, Spring 2019)
Department of Theatre & Dance, California State University, Sacramento
Rehearsal and Performance (Senior Dance Capstone)
Assistant Professor (Spring 2018)
Department of Theatre & Dance, California State University, Sacramento
University Dance Company
Assistant Professor (Fall 2020)
Department of Theatre & Dance, California State University, Sacramento
Intermediate Modern/Post Modern Dance Technique
Lecturer (Summer 2017)
Department of World Arts & Cultures/Dance, UCLA
Intermediate Modern/Post Modern Dance Technique (Sole-Taught)
Teaching Assistant (Summer 2015 - Summer 2016)
Department of World Arts & Cultures/Dance, UCLA
Performing Sexual Health: UCLA Sex Squad
Teaching Assistant (Fall 2015)
Department of World Arts & Cultures/Dance, UCLA
Taking Action: Arts Practice & Community Service
Teaching Assistant (Winter 2015)
Department of World Arts & Cultures/Dance, UCLA
Advanced Modern/Post Modern Dance Technique
Assistant to Instructor (Winter, Spring 2015)
Department of World Arts & Cultures/Dance, UCLA
Non-Academic (select)
Lula Washington Dance Theatre School, Los Angeles, CA (1997-2016)
Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Repertoire (Beginning - Professional)
Pasadena Dance Theater, Pasadena, CA (2016)
Intermediate/Advanced Contemporary Jazz
Arts Community Partners Network, Los Angeles, CA (2006-2008)
Elementary students in Los Angeles Unified School District
Zenon Dance School, Minneapolis, MN (2005-2006)
Beginning/Intermediate Jazz Dance
Ballare Teatro, Minneapolis, MN (2005)
Beginning Jazz
Tappan Zee Dance Group, Tarrytown, NY (2002)
Intermediate Ballet, Beginning Modern
Intensives, Master Classes & Workshops (select)
American College Dance Association (ACDA)
Breath + Articulation Workshop, Baja/West Region Teacher Retreat (Oct. 2020)
Intermediate/Advanced Modern Workshop, Scottsdale, AZ (March 2020)
Open Level Dunham Jazz Workshop, Scottsdale, AZ (March 2020)
Intermediate/Advanced Modern Workshop, Tempe, AZ (March 2018)
Intermediate/Advanced Modern Workshop, Long Beach, CA (March 2015)
Jazz Antiqua’s LEGACY Jazz Project, Faculty, Los Angeles, CA
Jazz/Choreography (Fall/Winter 2020), Horton/Contemporary (Summer 2019)
LITVAKdance, San Diego, CA (September 2020)
Breath + Articulation: Afro-Contemporary Movement Workshop
Street Dance Activism: Global Dance Meditation, Los Angeles, CA (Aug. 2020)
Street Dance Activation: Gesture Workshop, co-facilitator with Nia-Amina Minor
Pieter Performance Space, Los Angeles, CA (August 2020)
Breath + Articulation: Afro-Contemporary Movement Workshop Series
Companhia da Barra Summer Intensive, Manaus, Brazil (July 2020)
Horton/Contemporary, Jazz Techniques
Jerusalem School of Music and Dance, Jerusalem, Israel (May 2016)
Intermediate/Advanced Modern Master Class, Lula Washington Repertory
International Association of Blacks in Dance, Denver, CO (January 2016)
Youth Modern Master Class
Los Angeles Dance Festival, Los Angeles, CA (April 2015)
Intermediate/Advanced Modern Master Class
MusA School of Music and Art, Los Angeles, CA (July 2014-15)
Musical Theater Dance Intensive for Youth
On The Edge Summer Intensive, Culver City, CA (July 2008-09, 2013, 2014)
Ballet, Horton, Jazz
NYU, Tisch School of the Arts Summer Intensive, New York, NY (July 2001)
Post Modern Dance Technique, Doug Elkins Repertory
FELLOWSHIPS, GRANTS & AWARDS
2020-2022 Cultural Pathways Program Grant, California Arts Council, Sacramento, CA.
2020 Quick Grant, California Humanities, Los Angeles, CA.
2020 Space Grant, Brockus Project Studios, Los Angeles, CA.
2019 Artist in Residence, The Sofia, Home of the B Street Theater, Sacramento, CA.
2019 Space Grant, Lula Washington Dance Theatre Studios, Los Angeles, CA.
2018 Dance/USA scholarship, Dance/USA, Washington D.C.
2017-2019 Travel Grant, California State University, Sacramento.
2017 Lester Horton Award, Los Angeles, CA.
2017 International Association of Blacks in Dance scholarship, City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, Los Angeles, CA.
2016-2017 Westfield Emerging Artist Award, UCLA.
2015-2017 Jean Irwin Scholarship, UCLA.
2015-2016 Alma Hawkins Memorial Fellowship, UCLA.
2015-2016 Department of World Arts & Cultures/Dance Chair’s Discretionary Fund, UCLA.
2015 Inaugural Honoree – 20 years of Service, Lula Washington Dance Theatre.
2014-2015 Graduate Opportunity Fellowship, UCLA.
2014-2015 UC Regents Scholarship, UCLA.
2005 Scroll of Appreciation – Service to Community through Dance, Los Angeles City Councilman, Bernard Parks.
2001 Mel Wong Award of Distinction, State University of New York, Purchase College.
1997 Emerging African American Classical Artist Grand Prize, KCET.
1997 Dancer of the Year, Idyllwild Arts Academy.
1993 Emerging African American Classical Artist Honorable Mention, KCET.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Research Assistant to Professor David Rousseve (Spring 2015)
PUBLICATIONS
Bernard Brown, “Come.Unity: Activism in the Virtual Realm.” The Activist History Review (2020) www.activisthistory.com.
Bernard Brown. “Processing Sugar Notes.” The Dancer-Citizen, issue 10 (2020) www.dancercitizen.org
Bernard Brown. “Threat.” The Dancer-Citizen, issue 1 (2015) www.dancercitizen.org.
CONFERENCES, LECTURES, PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
2021 Presenter: Come.Unity: Movement Toward Inclusive Dance Spaces. American College Dance Association, West Region. March. (Virtual)
2021 Moderator: Detroit ’67. Claire Trevor School of the Arts, UC Irvine. February. (Virtual)
2021 Presenter: Joy + Empowerment: Pathways towards an Inclusive Dance Space. Dance Talks. LITVAKDance. San Diego, CA. January. (Virtual)
2020 Panelist: Arts Counter/Act II: A Discussion on Racism and Antiracism in Education. UCLA. December. (Virtual)
2020 Moderator: PUSHfest Global, PUSH Dance Company, San Francisco, CA. October. (Virtual
2020 Panelist: Radically Reimagined: A Discussion on Racism and Antiracism in Education. Convocation, California State University, Sacramento. September.
2020 Interview: Pioneer Talks, Long Beach Black Dance Festival, Long Beach, CA. August. (Virtual)
2020 Interview: Flip the Script, Blue13 Dance Company, Los Angeles, CA. August. (Virtual)
2020 Curated Panelist: Celebration Arts LIVE: State of Black Dance In America 2020, Celebration Arts, Sacramento, CA. July. (Virtual)
2020 Interview: #BlackArtistsMatter, The Hubbard Collective, Los Angeles, CA. July. (Virtual)
2020 Curated Roundtable Participant: Living in Desmadre: Roundtable Discussion on Black and Brown Solidarity, Pieter Performance Space + Primera Generación Dance Collective, Los Angeles, CA. June. (Virtual)
2020 Curated Guest Speaker: Radical Dialogues: The Day After, Future Sounds + Dr. Shamell Bell, Los Angeles, CA. May. (Virtual)
2019 Paper Presentation: Come.Unity: Activism in the Virtual Realm, Dance Studies Association Conference, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, August.
2019 Invited Participant: Black Performance Theory Colloquium Convening, Borders on Blackness, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, April.
2019 Invited Panelist: Dance Activism at “Dance In Revolting Times,” Dance Mission Theater, San Francisco, CA, March.
2018 Invited Panelist: Graduate Student Professionalisation Workshop #2: Scholarly and Pedagogical Issues in Diversity, Dance Studies Association Conference, University of Malta, Valletta, Malta, July.
2018 Invited Guest Panelist: Another Man Done Gone: Real Time Embodiment of Donald McKayle’s masterwork “Rainbow ‘Round My Shoulder,” International Association of Blacks in Dance Conference and Festival, Los Angeles, CA, January.
2018 Invited Speaker: Opening Ceremony & General Session, International Association of Blacks in Dance Conference and Festival, Los Angeles, CA, January.
2018 Invited Guest Panelist: Defining Jazz in a Jazz-less Time: Upholding a Legacy, International Association of Blacks in Dance Conference and Festival, Los Angeles, CA, January.
2018 Paper Presentation: Rose Colored Glasses: A Black, Queer lens in Postmodern Choreography, International Association of Blacks in Dance Conference and Festival, Los Angeles, CA, January.
2017 Panelist: Wearing the Dance: Displacing Bodily Realities in 21st Century Choreographies, Dance Studies Association Conference, Ohio State University, October.
2017 Panelist: Moonlight, California State University, Sacramento, September.
2017 Panelist: Summer Program Auditions, International Association of Blacks in Dance Conference and Festival, Dallas, TX, January.
2016 Guest Lecturer: Theories of Dance, Anurima Banjeri (instructor), UCLA, May.
2016 Panelist: Idyllwild Arts 70th Anniversary Arts Panels for Dance, Idyllwild Arts Academy, March.
2015 Guest Lecturer: Art as Moral Action, Peter Sellars (instructor), UCLA, May.
2015 Panelist: Arts Entrepreneurial Panel for Dance, Cultural Arts Commission, UCLA, April.
2015 Presenter: They Came Before: Our lineage from the 1900’s to Today through Ballet, Modern, Jazz and Street Dance Forms, International Association of Blacks in Dance Conference and Festival, January.
2014 Keynote speaker: Life after graduation, Idyllwild Arts Academy, April.