UAA Dance is back

UAA student performs a spin as part of a warm up routine. Photo by Justin Cox.

Last year everyone thought that the UAA dance program was done. Jill Flanders Crosby put on a final show at the Anchorage Museum in April 2023 prior to retiring. But the response from the community and support from the Atwood Foundation brought the dance minor back to life. Now, term assistant professor of dance and UAA Alumni, Katie O'Loughlin, has returned to Alaska to lead the dance minor after earning a MFA in Dance from Ohio State University in 2023. Currently the dance program has an upcoming performance in conjunction with Pulse Dance Company in April.

O'Loughlin demonstrates a warm up routine for her students. Photo by Justin Cox.
Dance students warm up at the start of class. Photo by Justin Cox.
Dance students warm up at the start of class. Photo by Justin Cox.
Dance students warm up at the start of class. Photo by Justin Cox.
UAA dance student performs a warm up routine. Photo by Justin Cox.
UAA dancer warming up. Photo by Justin Cox.
A dancer performs a small jump at the start of class. Photo by Justin Cox.
A dancer takes a leap to help warm up before beginning to work on choreography. Photo by Justin Cox.
UAA dance students work on their choreography for “Cell Block Tango.” Photo by Justin Cox.
O'Loughlin works through choreography with her students. Photo by Justin Cox.
O'Loughlin oversees students learning the choreography. Photo by Justin Cox.
O'Loughlin works through choreography with her students. Photo by Justin Cox.
UAA dance students work on their choreography for “Cell Block Tango.” Photo by Justin Cox.
UAA dance students work on their choreography for “Cell Block Tango.” Photo by Justin Cox.
Student takes a final pose for the choreography. Photo by Justin Cox.