Dancer and choreographer Jeremy Lindberg focused on ballet and Spanish dance in a week-long residency at Knox in January. The classes and workshops were aimed at allowing dancers of all levels to learn and understand dance in new ways.

Lindberg received a BFA in dance performance from the Boston Conservatory and an MFA in dance performance and choreography from Smith College. Lindberg also trained at the schools of the Joffrey Ballet, Boston Ballet, and the Connecticut Ballet and is an associate professor of dance at the University of Oklahoma.

Amber Lane-Bortell '20 appreciated the relaxed nature of the workshops.

"The [dance] school that I went to was pretty competitive and intense, so I found this residency more enjoyable because the atmosphere was much more positive and comfortable," said Lane-Bortell.

Dance professors Jennifer Smith and Kathleen Ridlon believe it's important to expose students to new teaching styles and dance forms, and Lindberg agrees.

"All it takes is one different voice to say a similar thing, but in a different way, and that can turn on some lights and make some new connections for [the students]," Lindberg said. 

Lindberg was impressed by the initiative of the student dancers.

"I do come in very prepared with a plan, but [the dancers] are often the ones who make the connections, and the problems that exist are then solved," he said.

As Artist in Residence, Lindberg also held open auditions, and choreographed a contemporary ballet piece for the Knox College Spring Dances Concert, to be performed in May of 2017.

"I gained the opportunity to work closely with a small group of dancers and a very experienced choreographer. I feel like the six of us really worked well together as a group," Lane-Bortell said.

Lindberg has become a familiar face at Knox after completing three previous Knox residencies that included flamenco dance and ballet workshops. He has also served as a guest choreographer for the Dance Ensemble course and as a guest professor for Survey of Dance Forms, Choreographer's Workshop, and Senior Dance Seminar.

The Dance Artist in Residence Program is sponsored by Terpsichore Dance Collective, the Knox College Program in Dance, the Center for Intercultural Life, the Stellyes Center for Global Studies, and the Modern Languages Program.