Ronya-Lee LaVaune Anderson
A leader who facilitates challenging, creative arts integrated growth initiatives; an artist who creates by any medium necessary, designing bold performance journeys; a scholar and educator presenting provocative research and educating to inspire.
SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS
Kennedy Center REACH Commission (2024)-$10k
Pola Nirenska Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance (2021)-$5k
Kennedy Center REACH Commission (2021)-$10k
Awarded Doctoral Fellowship from the University of Maryland at College Park
School of Theater, Dance and Performance Studies (2020)-$200kKennedy Center REACH Office Hours Commission (2020)- $10k
Maryland Art Council’s Choreographer’s Showcase winner (2020, 2018, 2011)- $3k
NextLOOK Residency Recipient (2018)- $4k
Awarded Teaching Fellowship from the University of Maryland at College Park
School of Theater, Dance and Performance Studies (2017)- $132kHenderson State University Guest Artist Fellowship (2016)- $7k
Recipient of a Bates Dance Festival Teaching Fellowship (2013)
Nominated as Best Emerging Performer for the Metro DC Dance Awards (2008)
COMMISSIONS
National Endowment for the Arts- Residence Time (2023) $8K
Dance Place in Washington, DC- Light Sessions (2023) and Monumental Bodies (2020)
John F. Kennedy Center for the Arts- Monumental Bodies (2021) $5K
Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, AK- No Contradictions, No Lies (2016)
Guest Choreographer for Joy of Motion Youth Dance Ensemble in Washington, DC (2016)
Work Commissioned by Dance Ethos Company in Washington, DC (2015)
Work Commissioned by Joy of Motion Youth Dance Ensemble in Washington, DC
(2015)
RESIDENCIES
Guest Artist Residency at University of Virginia (2024) $5K
Artist in Residence at Dance Place in Washington, DC (2022-24) $12K
Aunt Karen’s Farm in Upstate New York (2020)
NextLOOK Residency with the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center and Joes’s Movement Emporium in College Park, Md (2018) $4K
Lake Junaluska Movement Artist Residency in Lake Junaluska, NC (2017)
Henderson State University Fall Residency in Arkadelphia, Arkansas (2016)
Artist in Residence at The Duke Youth Academy in Durham, NC (2006-2013)
PUBLICATIONS
“#Burberry and the Utility of Black Femininity” in Dance in Us Popular Culture Ed. By Jennifer Atkins p. 151-155, (2024)
“Speech, Time and Sight: Reconfiguring Notions of Dances of the African Diaspora” Journal of Dance Education Volume 20 No.3 July-September 2020 “The Next Right Thing” Sojourner’s Magazine Volume 48 No. 7 July 2019
United Church of Christ Journal on Liturgical Arts (2015-2016)
Every Knee Shall Bow: A Literary Treasury for Advancement of the Arts in Worship
(Basar Publishing House, 2013)
PRESS
https://www.washingtoninformer.com/dancers-showcase-talent-in-annual-showcase/
https://dctheaterarts.org/2018/05/28/review-new-releases-choreographers-showcase-at-dance-place/
EDUCATION
University of Maryland (2022): Doctoral Fellow
University of Maryland (2021): MFA in Dance
Trinity University (2016): Special Education; Teaching Reading in Content Area Part I; Teaching Reading in Content Area Part II; Adolescent Psychology
Bates Dance Festival Teaching Fellowship (2013): Ballet IV (Shana Mirk-Robles) Modern III (Alex Springer) Hip Hop (Jennifer Archibald) The Business of Dance (Kim Konikow)
Duke Divinity School (2007): Master’s of Divinity
University of Maryland (2003): Bachelor’s of English: Language & Literature; Bachelor’s of Dance: Performance & Choreography
PROFESSIONAL DANCE COMPANY EXPERIENCE
• Marvin Gaye Project Company (2015 to 2018), National Tour- Rehearsal Director
• Rebollar Dance Co., (2013-2016)
• Liz Lerman Dance Exchange (2011), National Tour
• Dakshina (2010), Regional Tour
• Carla and Company (2011, 2010) • Clancy Works (2009, 2008)
• Chuck Davis African American Dance Ensemble (2004-2007), Regional Tour
PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE
Performed “Residence Time” at Alexandria Waterfront Park, Alexandria, VA (2023)
Performed excerpt from original piece, “Light Work” at Wa Na Wari, Seattle, WA (2023)
Performed evening length work, “The Light Sessions” at Dance Place, Washington, DC (2023)
Performed “Monumental Bodies” at Dance Place, Washington, DC (2020)
Performed “Miss America” at Triskelion Arts WAXworks, NYC (2019)
Performed “Miss America” in Progress at The Baltimore Lyric Opera House (2019)
Performed in Erica Rebollar’s “Space Junk” at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, Washington, DC (2016)
Performed Deborah Riley’s “Shadows” at the Dance Place, Washington, DC (2016, 2017)
Performed in Erica Rebollar’s “Sacred Profane” at the Dance Place, Washington, DC (2015)
Featured Performer in Anna Soklova’s “Rooms” with Daniel Singh’s Company, Dakshina, Regional Tour (2010)
CHOREOGRAPHY
Residence Time (Solo) Original Score with Live Percussion; 30’00- National Endowment for the Arts See Site Residency (2023), Link: https://vimeo.com/user55126286/anexerciseinrage?share=copy
Light Sessions (Solo; Quintet )Original Score with Live Band; 90’00- Dance Place Presentation (2023), Excerpt: https://vimeo.com/user55126286/thelightsessions?share=copy#t=634
An Exercise in Rage (Solo) Original Score with Live Percussion 06’00- Dance Place Artist Residency (2022), Link: https://vimeo.com/user55126286/anexerciseinrage?share=copy
Boxing, Unicorns and Double Dutch (Quartet) Original score, “Prime 1: Feminine” by Julius Eastman, “Don’t Make Me Over” by Dionne Warwick and original text 45’00- Kennedy Center National Dance Day (2021), Link: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/670016161/7d2c448653
Light (Quartet) “Light” by Ronya-Lee and the Light Factory; 4’49- YouTube Music Video (2021), Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqoqNbvLJxI
Monumental Bodies (Solo; Duet; Film Collaboration with Carlos Funn) Original score, “I Feel Pretty” by Sarah Vaughn, “Ave Maria” sung by Leontyne Price; 75’00- Dance Place’s Social Distance Commission (2020), Excerpt: https:// vimeo.com/manage/videos/485276895/6b3171354a
Black Madonna and Miss America (Quartet) Original Sound-score with samples from Beethovan’s “Moonlight Sonata,” Nina Simone’s “Just Like a Woman,” Kendrick Lamar’s “DNA,” and “Quando Me’n Vo” from La Boheme; 40’00- Kogod Theater at Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center (2019), Link: https://vimeo.com/user55126286/blackmadonna?ts=1251000&share=copy
Legacy: A Canon in Three Parts (Quintet) Original sound-score; 30’00 (2017-18)
Canon (1 soloist and 4 choral dancers) Original sound-score; 12’43- Dance Theater at Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center (2017), Excerpt: https://vimeo.com/259278628/1650464e79?share=copy
No Contradictions, No Lies (Ensemble-10 dancers) Original score, “The Star Spangled Banner” by Jimi Hendrix and “MLK” by U2; 12’00- Faulkner Performing Arts Center (2016)
Stuck (Trio) “Motherless Child” by John Legend; Text written by choreographer and recited by dancers; 8’00- Choreographer’s Showcase at UMD Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center (2011); The Publick Playhouse in Cheverly, MD (2010); Project Dance DC (2010); THEARC in Washington, DC (2010)
COSTUME DESIGN
“The Light Sessions” at Dance Place (2023)
“The Naked King” at Dance Place (2019)
“Eye Soar” at the Capital Fringe Festival (2019)
“Miss America in Progress” at various venues (2019)
“Ritual” at Dance Place (2018)
“Alternative Facts” at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center (2018)
“Canon” at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center (2017); American College Dance
Festival (2018)
WORK HISTORY
American University- Dance Faculty- Offers instruction in Embodied Knowledge: Jazz I-III, Contemporary II-III; Critical Inquiry: Histories of Dance, and American University CORE: Dancing Body in a Moving World; Designed and executed a new course titled Dance is Home cross-listed with African-American Studies; Leads recruitment efforts
Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center- Black Light Summit Education Coordinator- Worked collaboratively with team members and summit coordinator to envision and implement a mentor-mentee program responsive to the current socio-political moment; Designed methods for determining student and educator needs, then created programming initiatives that reflects those needs
University of Maryland School of Theatre, Dance & Performance Studies- Teaching Fellow- Instructor of record for Dance History (Fall), Intro to Modern Dance ( Fall), Afro Jazz (Spring), Ballet I/II (Spring), House Based Dance (Fall), Fundamentals of Jazz (Spring); Designed new courses for university dance programs: House Based Dance & Dancing While Black
Northwestern High School Visual and Performing Arts Academy- Educator- Developed a strategic plan for fostering open parent teacher communication and increased parent engagement in student progress; Provided students with culturally relevant, anti-racist, whole person dance education
Center City Public Charter School- Director of Dance Education- Oversaw curriculum implementation for the six Center City campuses; Provided teacher training attached to specific goals for pedagogical growth and efficacy; Responsible for devising a unique and comprehensive Pre-K through 8th Grade dance education curriculum with a focus on integrating math, science, language arts and motor skills
Dancing by the Power: Movement Matters- Director, Co-Founder- Devised the strategic direction for the organization in collaboration with the Co-Founder, the Board Members and in response to the communities served;Responsible for developing creative and sustainable avenues of funding; Developed community partnerships; Assumed responsibility for staff training, support and evaluation