Good, the Enemy of Great

Dance/USA hosted the first-timers breakfast where I met with my mentor, Joanne Robinson Hill, Education Director at The Joyce. After another round of cross-disciplinary caucus sessions, Jim Collins, author of Good to Great and the Social Sector, addressed the community. He asserted that "Greatness is not a function of circumstance but rather a function of discipline and choice." Therefore we need to embrace disciplines that ensure great organizations and artists. One's values should stay the same, however practices should be adapted to the ever-changing circumstances.

I was able to escape the Convention Center with some fellow dancers to eat lunch on Larimer Street a mecca of sidewalk dining. We sampled sandwich creations from The Market and enjoyed the warm, sunny dry Denver climate.

My afternoon session discussed the topic of "Higher Education and The Real World of Practice: Creating a New Alignment." Does college and conservatory training in a performing arts discipline prepare students to wear the many hats they are likely to wear? Since most people do not end up working full time in their craft, this is an important conversation to have among recent graduates and professors creating programming. The NEA article "Artists in the Workforce" states that most artists are highly educated but self-employed. The charge of educators is to prepare students for their role as citizens and individuals with a world view necessary for leadership and survival in the industry.

The Mile-High Dance Showcase was presented during the evening at the Newman Center of the Performing Arts. Taking the tour bus to the theater felt like a bizarre family vacation. Chunky Move was a highlight utilizing a motion-triggered lighting computer program on a single dancer who remained on the floor for the duration of the piece.