Visiting artist has created a work for Danstage

A University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point graduate who is a professor at the University of Iowa has returned to work with students at his alma mater.

David Berkey, a visiting artist in the Department of Theatre and Dance, has choreographed "Head-long" to be performed by UWSP students during the upcoming production of "Danstage."

A 1973 graduate of UWSP, Berkey is professor and chair of dance at the University of Iowa. He also served on the UWSP theatre and dance faculty from 1977 to 1979.

An ensemble dance inspired by Rachmaninoff’s "Second Piano Concerto," the piece carries the theme of jumping head-long into love.

"I choreograph to the energy and visions I get from the dancers," Berkey said. "The talented UWSP dancers were delightful in the zest that they brought to the studio. Their quickness in learning and fleshing out the movement materials made my work with them a real dialogue. I attribute this to the solid training they are receiving at the university."

Returning to Stevens Point was a trip down memory lane, Berkey said. "Seeing the department doing so well was wonderful.

"Jim Moore was a mentor for me early in my career and provided encouragement in my youthful dance making," Berkey said. Moore and his wife, Linda, were faculty members when Berkey came to UWSP for his first teaching job. "He is a gem of a teacher which is clearly reflected in the dancers he trains. I watched him teach again and was inspired to find the same joy in my own work." Linda is co-owner of Atelier Vermiel Design Studio in Stevens Point where she does painting and stained glass work.

Berkey has dedicated "Head-long" to the Moores, who taught him much about art and its appreciation, he said.

In 1997 Berkey formed his own company, David Berkey Dance. He regularly teaches in master classes and residencies throughout the U.S. He has created or staged more than 60 works for professional and university dance companies including the University of Iowa’s two companies. Selected for the International Choreography Showcase, he will create a new work for Virginia Ballet Theater in June. He has been commissioned by John Meehan to create a work for the American Ballet Theater Studio Company next year.

Berkey also has a degree from the University of California, Los Angeles. He has danced professionally in Germany as a soloist with Staatstheater Kassel Ballett. During his 20-year teaching career, he taught at the University of Oregon and the University of Western Washington in addition to teaching at UWSP and the University of Iowa.

Dancers for Berkey’s work include Candace Jablonski, Jessica Kissner, Jennifer Mack, Hilliary Murphy, Ryann Nelson, Megan Northrup, Angie Hofschulte, Aaron Foelske, Garret Jones and Eddie Oroyan.

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