Co-Chairpersons (2 positions)
The Co-Chairpersons are responsible for arranging and conducting auditions, performances, and Dance Ensemble meetings and Board meetings. With the advisor, they will act as the contact between the University and the Dance Ensemble.
Secretary (1 position)
The Secretary is responsible for maintaining the Dance Ensemble membership list, as well as the e-mail listserv. The secretary is responsible for making Dance Ensemble information available to Dance Ensemble members through e-mail or campus mail. The Secretary serves as a main link between the Board members and the dancers and is responsible for taking minutes at Board meetings.
Treasurer (1 position)
The Treasurer is responsible for maintaining the UMM Dance Ensemble budget. The Treasurer will also monitor incoming and outgoing funds.
Publicity/Production (2 positions)
The Publicity/Production people are responsible for publicizing the shows, auditions, and other activities to the UMM campus and community. This includes such duties as posters, press releases, table tents, KUMM announcements, and community outreach. They are also responsible for maintaining the Dance Ensemble website and show memorabilia.
Elections
At the election, the positions of Co-Chairpersons will be filled first, Secretary second, Treasurer third, and Publicity/Production fourth.
Auditions
Members interested in performing must participate in an audition conducted by the Dance Ensemble Board members, faculty advisor and student choreographers, for the purpose of assigning roles to all dancers in performance pieces. Participants interested in choreographing must audition their piece for the Dance Ensemble Board. The Board members reserve the right to accept or reject choreography proposals.
Expectations of Dancers
Each dancer is limited to participation in four dances per semester. Included in these four are any student or guest choreographed pieces, solos, or duets. Production dances, if offered do not count towards the four dances.
All dancers are expected to attend preview night, run-through and dress rehearsals.
Dancers should help with the sale of tickets and the promotion of the shows.
Dancers should notify choreographers prior to a practice that they will be absent, with valid excuses.
John Vo Scholarship
Dance Ensemble established a scholarship fund in memory of Dance Ensemble member John Minh Dung Vo in 2000. It is set up to ideally support "5th Year Seniors," i.e. those who are attending UMM for a fifth year so they can complete multiple majors, at least one of which is in the arts. Dance Ensemble is responsible for sustaining the fund and selecting recipients according to the guidelines set out in the scholarship application.
John Vo Scholarship
John Minh Dung Vo was an active member of the UMM Dance Ensemble, the Swing Club, and the Art Club until his untimely death in August of 1999. John was a triple major combining Computer Science, English and Art. A scholarship fund in his memory was started in the Spring of 2000, the year that John would have graduated from UMM, with proceeds from the Dance Ensemble’s performance. The Scholarship will be directed towards students who are completing cross-disciplinary work.
Selection Guidelines
For students pursuing multiple majors, at least one of which is in the arts. Preference will be given to 5th or 6th year students.
Total amount of award $500 (until we generate more funds.)
Minimum GPA 3.0 with preference to students with higher GPA’s.
Proposed Application process:
1. An Essay 500 words discussing why applicant has chosen to have more than one major and why one of them is in an art discipline.
2. Names of two UMM faculty or staff references
3. Time frame: applications due mid-March 18, selection by April 1.
Final selection of a recipient will be made by a committee made up of at least two members of the Dance Ensemble. If possible, Angie Vo or another member of John’s family will also review applications. The Swing Club and the Art Club will also be invited to participate in selection of the recipient. Otherwise the selection process will follow the procedures and guidelines of the Development Office and Financial Aid.