Kennesaw State University's 2024 Dance Festival will be held February 3-4, 2024. This unique platform supports and celebrates the work of high school dancers. Through diverse dance classes, workshops, seminars, and performance opportunities, high school students immersed themselves in the professional practice of dance. A panel of three nationally recognized dance artists adjudicated the two Celebration performances and provided detailed feedback to the emerging choreographers and performers.
The weekend-long Festival aims to build community engagement between KSU's Department of Dance and performing arts high schools and dance studios.
Iymaani Aytes is a dynamic and visionary Arts & Culture Advisor with a lifelong love
for the performing arts. Raised in the cultural melting pot of New York City, she
was inspired by its diverse arts scene from an early age, igniting her lifelong passion
for the arts. After graduate studies, Iymaani's path led her to NYU's Steinhardt School,
where she discovered her calling to provide arts access to underserved communities.
Her work there revealed the transformative power of the arts and its impact on psychological
research, especially for those with limited exposure and access to resources. This
love for the arts and dedication to accessibility guided her to the Alvin Ailey Dance
Foundation, where she played a pivotal role in their Arts In Education & Community
Programs for 8 years, bringing dance to diverse communities. Her journey continued
in Atlanta as she led the Ailey Foundation's "Destination Dance" initiative, fostering
partnerships and innovative programming to unite people through shared experiences.
Currently, Iymaani is the Founder and Principal Consultant of The Aytes Agency, a
boutique consulting firm dedicated to fostering community engagement, remarkable programming,
and strategic partnerships to make the arts accessible to a wide audience. The agency
collaborates with esteemed institutions like the Atlanta Mayor's Office of Cultural
Affairs, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and many others. Iymaani holds a Master of Arts
in Psychology in Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a Bachelor
of Science in Psychology from Virginia State University. More than an advisor, Iymaani
is a passionate advocate for the arts' transformative power. Her impact extends beyond
her professional roles, as she's an active member of Impact100 Atlanta and serves
on the boards of Brooklyn Emerging Leaders Academy and The BLUE List, both dedicated
to creating equitable access to resources. Iymaani's commitment to social causes and
community engagement reflects her holistic approach to making a positive impact on
the world.
Darvensky Louis
Darvensky Louis, a professional dancer, choreographer, photographer and videographer,
was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Darvensky holds a B.A. in Dance from Kennesaw State
University, where he was awarded the Outstanding Senior of his class. He is also signed
to Xcel Talent Agency.
His professional dance career includes dancing for/on The BET hiphop awards, HBO Max, Showtime, Disney +, Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre, staibdance, Annalee Traylor and Omar Román De Jesús from New York City, Dr. Ivan Pulinkala, Lisa K. Lock, and more. Darvensky teaches around Atlanta and is also a freelance videographer and photographer. He currently serves as Director of SequenceOne, a college alumni dance company, and with this leadership hopes to inspire future undergraduate creatives by bringing concert dance internationally through the collaboration of college alumni. He was also Dance Magazine's "25 to Watch" for 2022.
Cynthia Bond Perry
Cynthia Bond Perry is an Atlanta-based dance critic and teacher. Her background spans
from performance and choreography to the teaching of ballet and modern dance techniques
as well as Laban movement theory, dance history and dance criticism. Such pursuits
in the studio, theater and archive continue to inform her teaching and research.
As contributing writer for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the Atlanta arts website ArtsATL, where she served as dance editor, Perry has written more than 350 articles and reviews
for these publications as well as Dance International, Dance Teacher, Pointe and Dance Magazine.
Perry trained under New York City Ballet artists Conrad Ludlow and Joy Feldman and
earned a bachelor's degree in dance from New York University's Tisch School of the
Arts. As a New York-based student and freelancer, Perry presented several choreographic
pieces and performed in works by Lorn MacDougal, Danny Buraczeski and Rosalind Newman.
New York Times critic Jennifer Dunning described Perry's dancing in Newman's Untitled White as "a highlight of the evening."
Perry subsequently toured and presented choreography in venues across the South Central United States as an independent artist and as a member of the University of Oklahoma's Modern Repertory Dance Theatre, appearing in works by Ko Yukihiro, Margarita Banos-Milton and Takako Asakawa. She earned an MFA in Dance at the University of Oklahoma while earning certification in Laban Movement Analysis and has since earned a master’s degree in narrative media writing from the University of Georgia.
Perry previously served on dance faculties of the University of Oklahoma and the University
of Central Oklahoma. She has served on panels in connection with KSU College of the
Arts, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Georgia Council for the Arts and Emory University.
A National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts Finalist in Dance (Choreography),
she is a recipient of the University of Oklahoma Weitzenhoffer College of Fine Arts
Faculty Peer Recognition Award.
Festival Guidelines
For the 10th anniversary of the KSU High School Dance Festival, there are some changes
to the Performances at the Festival. The afternoon concert of student choreography
is now being moved to, and combined with, the Celebration concerts.
We presented student choreography during the evening concerts and some have received
Festival Recognition from the Adjudicators. By moving all the performances to the
Dance Theater, all works will be fully produced on stage, have a technical rehearsal,
and get a video recording of the performance.
The 2024 KSU Dance Festival will feature two Adjudicated Concerts – The Celebration Concerts. Concert A is on Saturday, February 3rd at 6:00p.m. and Concert B is on Sunday, February 4th at 3:30p.m.
The two Celebration Concerts will be reviewed by a panel of dance adjudicators. Written
feedback from the adjudicators will be provided to each performance group following
the festival.
This is a private performance and only festival attendees can attend the concerts
although each group will be given two tickets to use for two outside guests of their
choice. There will be no additional tickets available.
KSU High School Festival 2024 Guidelines
The 2024 KSU Dance Festival takes place on Saturday, February 3rd and Sunday, February
4th 2024.
All students must be current high school-age students.
The festival is open to High School Dance programs and Dance Studios. There are no
individual student registration options.
Early Registration runs from October 2nd, 2023 through October 31st, 2023 is $110
per student.
Regular Registration runs from November 1st, 2023 through January 5th 2024.
Each group may bring 3 chaperones/faculty at no additional charge.
All Festival attendees must be registered. No unregistered guest will be allowed into or at any Festival location or event.
Chaperones/faculty must be onsite at all times while their students are present.
There is an initial cap of 25 students per organization. On December 1st, 2023, if
the Festival has not sold-out, this cap will be lifted and groups can register additional
students until the Festival is at capacity.
All classes take place at the Department of Dance Facilities at Chastain Pointe just
off the main Kennesaw Campus. All parking is free for the Festival weekend.
Lunch will be provided each day at the KSU Commons on the main Kennesaw campus. This
is a food court-type facility with a variety of meals to accommodate all tastes and
dietary restrictions.
There are two Celebration Concerts. Each group may present one work total between
these two concerts. There is an additional $50 fee to perform in the Celebration concerts.
Please see concert guidelines for more details.
The Celebration Concerts will take place on the Marietta Campus at the Dance Theater.
The Celebration Concerts are private and only open to registered Festival Attendees.
At Saturday morning check-in, each group will be given 2 tickets to each concert to
use for outside guest. There are no additional tickets available for the concerts.
Additional information will be posted on the Festival Website at ksudance.com. Emails
with additional registration details and weekly updates will be sent to the group
contact once they have registered. Questions can be sent to KSUDance@kennesw.edu
Celebration – Adjudicated Concert Guidelines:
All performers must be current high school-age students.
All performers must be registered for the KSU Dance Festival by January 5th, 2024.
There is a limit of 25 performers per organization.
All performers must be available for one technical rehearsal. Tech rehearsals will
be scheduled in advance on the evenings of January 31 through February 2nd. There
will also be limited tech rehearsal times on Saturday afternoon 2/3/24 but these slots
will result in students missing an afternoon festival master class. Each group will
be assigned a 20 minute tech rehearsal time slot.
Each dance must be a minimum of 3 minutes, and no more than 7 minutes in length.
Only one work can be submitted from each organization (i.e. high school or studio).
Choreography may be by a faculty member, guest artist, student, or a re-staging of
classic repertory.
There can be no hanging or rigging of scenic elements. Any scenery or props must be
set and struck by the company performers within 1 minute of the start and end of the
work.
There is a $50 adjudication fee to perform in this concert and each group will be
given a link to download a video of their performance
Student Showcase Guidelines:
There is no showcase concert. All work will be performed at the Dance Theater on one
of the two Celebration Concerts.
Festival Schedule (View/Download)
8:15 Orientation (Gym)
No Value
STUDIO 1
STUDIO 2
STUDIO 3
STUDIO 4
GYM
CLASSROOM
9:00 – 10:15 a.m.
Classical Ballet, O'Kelley
Yoga for Dancers, Barsky
Contemporary Floorwork, Knowlton
Flamenco, Boulard
Commercial Jazz, Gray
10:30 – 11:45 a.m.
Contemporary Ballet, Eckman
Choreography, Lock
Modern, Hawkains
Flamenco, Boulard
Commercial Jazz, Gray
Afro-Caribbean Dance Lecture, Chapman
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. - Lunch at The Commons
No Value
STUDIO 1
STUDIO 2
STUDIO 3
STUDIO 4
GYM
CLASSROOM
1:15 – 02:30 p.m.
Musical Theatre, Wilson-Berry
Tap, Everhart
Contemporary Jazz, Eckman
Progessing Ballet, Berry
African Dance, Howard/Hayes
KSU Dance Program Introduction for Dance Educators, Barsky
2:45 – 4:00 p.m.
Musical Theatre, Wilson-Berry
Tap, Everhart
Pilates, Berry
Meditation, Ragsdale
African Dance, Howard/Hayes
KSU Dance Program Introduction for Parents, Barsky
6:00 p.m. - Celebration Concert A at the KSU Dance Theater on the Marietta campus
Festival Pizza Social (immediately afterwards)
8:15 Orientation (Gym)
No Value
STUDIO 1
STUDIO 2
STUDIO 3
STUDIO 4
GYM
CLASSROOM
9:00 - 10:15 a.m.
Classical Ballet, O'Kelley
Indian Dance, Thakurta
Modern, Hawkains
Yoga for Dancers, Barsky
Salsa, Moreno
10:30 - 11:45 a.m.
Contemporary Ballet, Terminus
Indian Dance, Thakurta
Improvisation, Knowlton
Choreography, Lock
Contemporary Hip-Hop, Louis
Festival Meeting, Barsky
12:00 - 1:15 p.m.
Improvisation, Terminus
Meditation, Ragsdale
Audition, O'Kelley/Knowlton
Caribbean Dance, Chapman
Contemporary Hip-Hop, Louis
Injury Prevention (Educators only), Hilbrands
1:30 – 2:30 p.m. - Lunch at The Commons
3:30 p.m. - Celebration Concert B featuring KSU Dance Company at the KSU Dance Theater
on the Marietta campus
Festival Award Ceremony (immediately afterwards)
Locations and Directions
KSU Dance Department and Gym at Chastain Pointe (Classrooms and Studios) Dance Studios at Chastain Pointe (Kennesaw Campus) 1200 Chastain Road, Bldg. 300, Suite 306 Kennesaw, GA 30144 (Gym is directly across the street from Suite 306)
Directions to Chastain Pointe from South of Kennesaw (Atlanta)
Take I-75 N toward MARIETTA / CHATTANOOGA. Take the CHASTAIN RD exit, (Exit #271). Turn LEFT onto CHASTAIN RD NW. Go through THREE traffic lights. At the 4th light, turn RIGHT onto Big Shanty Road. Turn LEFT into CHASTAIN POINTE (Gray Warehouses). Proceed up the hill to the 300 building. The Department of Dance is located in Suite 306.
Festival orientation will take place in the Chastain Pointe gym (Athletics Practice
Facility, Suite 202).
Directions to Chastain Pointe from North of Kennesaw (Cartersville, Chattanooga, etc.)
Take I-75 S. Take the CHASTAIN RD exit, (Exit #271). Turn RIGHT onto CHASTAIN RD NW. Go through TWO traffic lights. At the 3rd light, turn RIGHT onto Big Shanty Road. Turn LEFT into CHASTAIN POINTE (Gray Warehouses). Proceed up the hill to the 300 building. The Department of Dance is located in Suite 306.
Festival orientation will take place in the Chastain Pointe gym (Athletics Practice Facility, Suite 202).
Or Take I-575 S. Take the CHASTAIN RD exit, (Exit #3). Turn RIGHT onto CHASTAIN RD NW. Go through EIGHT traffic lights. At the 9th light, turn RIGHT onto Big Shanty Road. Turn LEFT into CHASTAIN POINTE (Gray Warehouses). Proceed up the hill to the 300 building. The Department of Dance is located in Suite 306.
Festival orientation will take place in the Chastain Pointe gym (Athletics Practice
Facility, Suite 202).
Dance Theater on the KSU Marietta Campus (Evening Concerts) Joe Mac Wilson Student Center 1100 South Marietta Pkwy Marietta, GA 30060
Directions to Dance Theater from South of Marietta
Take exit 263 towards Marietta from the 2nd right hand lane (South Marietta Parkway-GA 120 Loop/KSU Marietta Campus). Merge onto South Marietta Parkway. Go one mile and turn left onto Technology Way, which leads into campus. Take the first right onto North Drive. Ideal parking: (P2, P35, P36)
Directions to Dance Theater from North of Marietta (Cartersville, Chattanooga, etc.)
Take exit 263 (South Marietta Parkway-GA 120 Loop/KSU Marietta Campus). Turn right onto South Marietta Parkway. Go one mile and turn left onto Technology Way, which leads into campus. Take the first right onto North Drive. Ideal parking: (P2, P35, P36)
KSU Commons (Dining facility on Kennesaw Campus) 540 Parliament Garden Way NW Kennesaw, GA 30144
Directions to The Commons from the Dance Department
Turn right onto Big Shanty Road. Turn left onto Campus Loop Road (before you hit Chastain Road). At the roundabout, take the first exit on Prillaman Way and then turn right on Owl Drive. Take a right into Parking Lot D. The Commons is across the street past the Prillaman Health Sciences Building.
