State of the art in the arts
By Gail Corrigan '95

Cuttin' up the floor
Among the many successful dancers who have leapt from Montclair State, several are members of Freespace, currently in residence at Montclair State. Alumnae Donna Scro-Gentile, Lisa Grimes-Van Sickle and Maureen Glennon formed this professional modern dance repertory, offering summer workshops for teens and adults, and courses in ballet, modern and jazz to professional dancers.

In addition to offering workshops and performing full evening concerts, Freespace Dance teaches and performs in many school districts, integrating dance into New Jersey academic curriculums.

Freespace also took part in the Great Events Series in Memorial Auditorium for which dance troupes from around the country are asked to participate. Students as well as alumni make up the dance troupe, making Freespace a convenient bridge between the academic and professional world.

Karen Love '93 also brings proud smiles to the faces of many faculty. In addition to performing at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Love has formed two professional dance companies: USAAMA, an African dance company for children, and UMOJA, a modern and African dance company for adults. Among the many grants and awards she has received for choreography, Love was an artist-in-residence in 2000-01 at Kent State University.

The Dance Division also takes advantage of its proximity to New York City as professional dancers and choreographers give students the instruction, opportunities and encouragement needed to prepare for a career in dance or any number of related fields.

A piece of work
With a new M.F.A. program and renovated facilities that include state-of-the-art studio space, the Fine Arts Department is most proud of the work done at the hands of its students.

"We think we will have the best visual arts program in the state," said department chair Daryl Moore.

The secret? Fine Arts students learn from the best. The 21 full-time professors are active participants in the arts. Nearly 45 visiting specialists also contribute to an art program considered to be one of most comprehensive in the nation.

The University's prime location near New York City gives students the opportunity to participate in shows and apply their classroom experience in the art world. On campus, students learn from professional artists who offer a broad perspective in all areas of the arts.

Fine Arts programs begin with a strong foundation for all students, whether they are pursuing painting, sculpting, graphic design or any other art field. Students take drawing, art history, 2D and 3D, color study and a wide array of courses to develop creative as well as problem-solving skills.

A new graphic design facility includes a Mac lab and gives students access to their own studio for the duration of their program.

The sound of music
The Music Department has been training professional musicians for more than 40 years. With a new, state-of-the-art theater on the horizon, the music program over the next 40 years should be even better. Among the many instruments students master at Montclair State, is voice, and one of the most beautiful voices in which the University takes pride is that of Melba Moore '70, who received an honorary degree from Montclair State in 1990.

With distinguished faculty and guest artists teaching and performing, the University is the bridge between students and working musicians. The Department presents more than 100 performances each year including shows by internationally known guest artists, faculty recitals and student ensembles.

"The department's performances not only provide entertainment to the campus and its surrounding community, but are also the training ground for tomorrow's professional musicians," said department Chair Ting Ho. "The department's philosophy places a strong emphasis on hearing a wide variety of music, performed live, as an essential part of the musical education that it provides. The performances span a wide range of styles and genres, to expose the student body to as much music as possible during their tenure in college."

Students benefit from personal instruction with some of the finest musicians in the country, if not the world. Internationally known faculty members include Ruth Rendleman, Mary Ann Craig, Jeffrey Gall, Erik Lawrence, Mark Pakman, Harvey Pittel, Oscar Ravina, David Singer and David Witten.

The University also hosts one of the oldest and most prestigious music therapy programs in this country, a program that has earned an international reputation and now offers undergraduate and graduate programs.

On stage
Over the years, the Theatre Division has developed many successful actors, directors, producers and casting directors who are influential on both coasts. Among the most well known actors in Hollywood is former Montclair State student Bruce Willis, who received an honorary degree from the University in 1996.

"It's wonderful to see students make it after Montclair State," said department Chair Eric Diamond. "We don't take sole credit for their successes, though. They are the ones who go and make it."

Montclair State goes to great lengths to help graduates attain success in their craft. Every spring, casting directors, agents and other influentials gather in a rented theater in New York to observe a showcase of graduates perform scenes and monologues.
Check out this issue's cover story for a look at who's doing what in the biz these days.

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