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Posting Date: March 16, 2011
Kennesaw State opens largest dance studio in metro Atlanta
New studio reflects rapid growth and development of dance program
By Caitlin Amick
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Director of Program in Dance (from left) Ivan Pulinkala, Dean Joseph Meeks and Assistant Professor Sandra Parks at the new dance facility Photo by Tracie Hinnant |
The Kennesaw State University Program in Dance opened a new 8,000 square foot dance facility in February 2011. The new dance facility houses the largest dance studio in the metro Atlanta area. It includes two dance studios, faculty offices, a student lounge and support areas.
The new studio at Chastain Pointe opened after a year of planning. The main studio is 60 feet by 51 feet and is equipped with a state-of-the-art audio-visual system, professional quality dance floor and a new Steinway piano. The second studio is 35 feet by 30 feet and serves as a venue for percussive dance techniques and as a space for students and faculty to work on individual projects.
Ivan Pulinkala, director of the KSU Program in Dance, says the new facility is reflective of the growth of the dance program and will help better serve the needs of the students. “We finally have the appropriate facilities and studio space for our students. The new studio will also allow the program to grow into the next phases of development.”
KSU started offering a dance major in fall 2008, and Pulinkala says the department expects to have more than 100 declared dance majors by fall 2011.
The department is also in the planning and designing stages of a second studio, which would allow the program to move all classes out of the Recreation Center. Construction on the second studio is expected to begin in the next academic year.