About

Character Dance Ensemble (CDE), is a student organization through the University of Utah, studying character, ethnic, folk, historical, and spiritual dances forms from around the world.

It is the mission of the CDE to provide dancers with academic and performance-related opportunities of these dance forms, enrich student experience through travel and cross-cultural interaction, and share our international experience with the University of Utah and greater Salt Lake City community.

Each year upon invitation from international schools and companies CDE travels to study traditional regional dance forms. Since CDE’s establishment in 1995 students have traveled to over fifteen different countries including but not limited to England, China, Spain, Greece, and Ukraine. As a result of each trip, ensemble members inform their study of dance, broaden their perspectives, and enhances their versatility as dancers through the study of local culture, artistic nuances, and authentic dance forms.

Additionally, CDE performs their repertoire and often shares in mutual lecture/demonstrations with local dance companies and/or community presentations. The new material gained from the research tours is added to the CDE repertoire and shared with the Salt Lake City community through local performances and workshops.

Members must be students in the University of Utah's School of Dance and either have/are planning on taking the Character I course during their first year of joining CDE.

Leadership

Justine Sheedy-Kramer | Faculty Advisor

Anouk Haffner | President

Mackenna Bonner | Vice-President

Sophie Kane | Treasurer

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