Mary F. Alford began her dance education at age 30 when she enrolled in ballet class at Amarillo College. Since then she also has studied jazz, modern, tap, yoga, contra, ballroom, latin, swing, tai chi, pilates, and improvisational dance with some of the most inspiring teachers.
She has performed with Knoxville Dance Theatre, Studio Arts for Dancers, Knoxville City Dancers, Knoxville Opera Company, and Circle Modern Dance. Her current association with Momentum Dance Lab hasinterjected new life, ideas, and techniques into her dancing soul. Dr. Mary's life overflows with her day job as a veterinary housecall practitioner. She plays ball with Kip every precious day and plans to dance forever.
Michael Bensey was a founding member of Sidewalk Dance Theatre, oneof Knoxville's earliest modern dance companies, with strong programs in technique and improvisation. Michael toured the southeastern states and
eastern seaboard with Sidewalk for over a decade and received
additional dance training from Jacob's Pillow, American Dance Festival, and Southwest Ballet Center. He is a principal dancer with the Appalachian
Ballet. He was artistic director for the annual modern dance showcase “Perspectives in Modern Dance” for 10 years. He has taught dance classes for children and adults throughout the east Tennessee region over the past 25 years. With a strong base in improvisational performance, he teaches improvisation for Momentum Dance Lab.
Roderick Beverly has felt an attraction to dance since childhood. His first formal training included six months of ballet classes and one day of clogging during his grade school years. At age 20 Rod began to fully realize his passion for dance, and through involvement in color guard activity, he really began to explore. Four years of performing in winter guard and drum corps organizations, followed by 10 years of teaching color guard and visual programs, provided opportunities to learn as much as he could from talented and inspiring educators, instructors, and colleagues. He has since taken classes and workshops in modern, ballet, and jazz. Last winter, Rod was introduced to the Knoxville dance scene and has enjoyed absorbing all he can from the experience. Happy to be a part of Momentum Dance Lab, Rod brings a love for movement, a hunger to further his education and creativity, and a joy for the opportunity
to dance.
Cara Croslin Bradshaw earned her Bachelor of Arts in Dance with an emphasis in Performance from Winthrop University in 2004. While attending Winthrop, she trained and performed in works by Sandra Neels, previously of the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, in addition to taking classes from several Guests Artists. She was chosen to perform in Guest Artist works; Askew by Amy Marshall of Amy Marshall Dance Company, and The Line, by Jack Clark. Cara attended the 2003 American College Dance Festival in Miami, FL where she performed in a student work in the Gala Concert. She also performed in the 2003 Spoleto Festival at the United States Custom House in the work of a Winthrop Graduate Student of Fine Art. Before attending Winthrop, Cara went to UT where she was a Dance Minor. While at UT, she was selected to perform in Soundings, by Guest Artist Nancy Smith-Fichter. She also performed and choreographed for the Knoxville dance group, Circle Modern Dance. Now, Cara is teaching, performing, choreographing and working hard with Momentum Dance Lab.
Sarah Burkhart began dancing at the age of five. She earned a bachelor's degree with a minor in dance from Appalachian State University. She is currently attending classes at UT studying for a career in physical therapy. She hasdanced with the UT Dance Company and is currently teaching, performing, creating choreography and working on the public relations committee with Momentum Dance Lab.
Shannon Pedigo Efteland began dancing at the age of four. Her primary training is in ballet and jazz from the Irma Witt O’Fallon School of Dance, but she became enamored with modern during college. While a student at The University of Tennessee, she was fortunate enough to take Master Classes with many different groups including Momix, Ailey II and American Reperatory Ballet Theater. Shannon has taught dance in East TN for over 12 years and is thrilled to be teaching for Momentum Dance Lab and for Artistic Dance Unlimited in Maryville. Shannon is also the Deveolpment Director for Momentum Dance Lab. In addition to dance, Shannon holds a B.S. and M.S. from the University of Tennessee in Environmental Sciences and is a wife and mother.
Gloria Jimenez has been dancing since she was nine, particularly
ballet, modern, flamenco, and jazz, but really any kind is fine by
her. She is a recent graduate from Carleton College in Northfield,
Minnesota, where she danced and choreographed with Semaphore Repertory
Dance Company and Ebony II Dance Company. She currently works at Oak
Ridge National Laboratory as a research intern in subsurface science.
Gloria produced MDL's first show, Art Moves 2008, and she is the
collective's Public Relations director. Gloira is excited to announce that in February 2009 she will be heading to South America with the peace corps. Momentum will miss her but someone has to save the world!
Leah J. Pinder earned a B.F.A. in dance performance from the
University of South Florida and served as an adjunct faculty member for the dance program after graduation. She was also a guest choreographer and instructor at St. Petersburg College and has performed with several modern dance companies including Momentum Dance Lab.
Melinda Wolfe can never remember life without movement. While always
involved in sports, her dance history began after seeing an ad in her
small town newspaper at age 11 that advertised classes for ballet, tap,
and jazz. (Finally! Dance in Pulaski, Tennessee!) She wasn't even aware
of such a thing as modern dance until her late 20s while a student at
UT. When adulthood led to being a wife, mother, and business owner, she
came to believe her age deemed her no longer valuable in the dance
world. Then opportunities such as performing with Circle Modern Dance
helped to nurture the belief that the performing arts know no age limits
and every age and ability has a valuable story to tell through movement.
Momentum Dance Lab has pushed her boundaries even further by providing
expert and challenging training, exposure to incredibly talented
people, and a renewed commitment to excellence in dance.
We are pleased to be working with many guest artists for our upcoming show on February 20-22 at the Knoxville Museum of Art!
Founding Members of Momentum Dance Lab:
Mary F. Alford, Mike Bensey, Rodderick Beverly, Cara Croslin Bradshaw, Sarah Burkhart, Shannon Pedigo Efteland, Gwen Franklin, Wayles E. S. Haynes, Gloria Jimenez, Jaqueline Kinsman, Leah Pinder & Melinda Wolfe.
Momentum Dance Lab Officers for Fiscal year 08/09:
Administrative Officer: Cara Bradshaw
Development Director: Shannon Efteland
Public Relations Director: Gloria Jimenez
Secretary: Melinda Wolfe
Treasurer: Mike Bensey
Officers for Fiscal year 07/08:
Adminstrative Officer: Jaqueline Kinsman/Leah Pinder
Development Director: Shannon Efteland
Public Relations Director: Gwen Franklin/ Melinda Wolfe
Secretary: Cara Bradshaw
Treasurer: Mary Alford
Winter 2009
Class Schedule:
(Jan-March)
Mondays:
7:00 - 8:30 PM Intermediate/Advanced Modern Technique
Saturdays:
11:00-12:30 Intermediate Modern Technique
AND
12:30-1:30 Improvisation (open level)
Pricing:
$10 General/
$8 Students/Seniors
Purchase a class card and save some money.
Our previous Wednesday Ballet class has been temporarily canceled.