GVSU is taking a major step as it continues to expand its fine arts offerings. The university this fall will begin developing a dance major, under the leadership of renowned dancer, teacher, and Grand Haven native Jefferson Baum.
Baum, currently based in New York City, will bring to the campus 15 years of experience as a dance soloist and principal performer with some of the most highly regarded dance companies in the world.
We are adding a powerful new voice in the arts at Grand Valley with the addition of Jefferson Baum, said Sherman Van Solkema, chairman of the GVSU Music Department.
His strong background will allow the program to grow out of his experiences as a dancer and teacher.
Dance at GVSU has been, most recently, a physical education and recreation option in the Department of Movement Science. The new program will fall under Van Solkema's Music Department.
The purpose of the move is to shift the emphasis to dance as a fine art, Van Solkema explained.
Baum is an honors graduate of the North Carolina School of the Arts, with further study at the American Ballet Theater and the School of American Ballet.
His choreography and dance instruction experience includes work with major university dance departments throughout the United States, Europe, and South America, as well as Steps on Broadway in New York City and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Twin Lake, Michigan.
As part of the dance program, Baum will begin teaching Ballet I and II, Stage Movement, and Dance Ensemble. Modern Dance I and II will also be offered in the Fall 2000.
My top priority is to provide a quality dance program here at GVSU, explains Baum. The program will serve the two populations that often exist in dance. The beginner, who would like to take dance as an elective and those who want more extensive training in dance.
Baum's professional dancing experience includes performances with the Metropolitan Opera Ballet, New York City Opera Ballet, Ballet Arizona, Ballet de Monte Carlo, and Pennsylvania Ballet.
This is all so exciting, says Baum. I am looking forward to working with the music department with the development of a dance program. Sherman is an incredible guy and it's an inspiration to learn from him.
Approval for the development of a dance major will begin in the fall of 2000. Adding dance will benefit art, theatre, film and video, and music students, among others, says Van Solkema.
Word of the coming program is already reaching prospective students. Heather Berg, who will transfer to GVSU this fall from Muskegon Community College, said it was a definite draw.
Dance has always been such a big part of my life, said Berg. I was really excited when I heard Grand Valley was starting up a dance program.
