Artist Detail

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Mary Johnston-Coursey

Dancer - UAC Teaching Artist

About the artist:

Mary Johnston-Coursey has taught, choreographed and performed since 1987. She has been on the faculties of the University of Utah, Utah State University, Columbia College Dance Center, MoMing Dance and Art Center, and The School. Residencies and choreographic commissions have taken her across the country, as well as to Costa Rica. In Chicago, Mary danced with Jan Erkert & Dancers and Mordine & Company. She was honored in 1991 with the Ruth Page Dancer of the Year Award. Upon moving to Utah, Mary founded her own dance company, Kinetic Cafe, and became cofounder of the Choreographers Lab. Mary's residencies can be tailored to each situation and age group, and could include creative movement classes, dance technique classes, and choreography for productions, as well as community and teacher workshops. Mary is interested in drawing from both classroom curricula and the students' life experiences to create dance events that are meaningful to them. She feels it is important to involve students on some level in the choreographic process so they feel ownership of the final work. Mary enjoys working with a variety of populations and age groups. She has done collaborative projects with others artists within a residency, and is especially excited by the possibilities inherent in collaboration. Available for residencies, teacher training, extended projects, collaborations with other artists, and short-term activities.