University News

WIU Alumna Mo Miner, right, is pictured working with WIU students, from left, Karly Hillyer, Shannon Phillips, Nikki Sangiacomo and Lauren Marchetto.
[Download Print-Quality Image]

Mo Miner Choreographs at WIU

April 6, 2015

Share |
Printer friendly version

MACOMB, IL - WIU alumna and Macomb native Mo Miner wrapped up a whirlwind visit to Western Illinois University recently, where she worked with students in the WIU Department of Theatre and Dance on their upcoming Spring Gala Dance Concert.

While Miner has previously taught classes at WIU as a guest in 2012, this is her first experience choreographing with WIU students.

Four students will perform a piece called, "Where We Left Off," at the upcoming concert. Choreographed by Miner while she was in graduate school at the University of Iowa, she described the work as "a sweet duet about friendship."

With only nine hours of rehearsal time in four days, the students worked diligently to learn the piece, while having the benefit of Miner's expertise. WIU students Karly Hillyer, a senior psychology major from Rushville, IL; Nikki Sangiacomo, a senior education major from Villa Park, IL; Lauren Marchetto, a sophomore pre-elementary education major from Glenview, IL; and Shannon Phillips, a senior political science major from Macomb, will pair up to perform the duet at the Spring Gala Dance Concert.

Miner is a modern dance teacher, performer and choreographer in the San Francisco Bay area. Among her many achievements, Miner has performed with Jennifer Kayle and Company, Shelter Repertory Dance Theater, Charlotte Adams and Dancers, Duarte Dance Works, Sara Semonis and in works by Miguel Gutierrez and Lucas Crandall.

In the Bay area she has performed with Fog Beast, Katie Faulkner's little seismic dance company, Paufve Dance, Nina Haft and Company, Rebecca Chun, Rogelio Lopez, Jessica Damon and Bandaloop- an aerial dance company that performs on the sides of skyscrapers, bridges, cliffs and more.

Miner currently teaches dance at the University of San Francisco, UC Berkeley, and Shawl-Anderson Dance Center, where she also directs the Shawl-Anderson Youth Ensemble.

In 2013, Mo co-founded the "Mid to West Dance Collective" with Rebecca Chun, Sarah Genta and Kate Vigmostad. All four choreographers completed the master of fine arts program in dance at the University of Iowa and now support each other in making and producing their work in the Bay area and beyond.

The WIU Spring Gala Dance Concert will be at 7:30 p.m. April 30 and May 1-2 in the Hainline Theatre. Tickets are available at (309) 298-2900 or online at etix.com/ticket/online/organizationSearch.jsp?organization_id=2419&cobrand=wiu.


Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing