معرفی
Christine McMillan serves as Associate Professor (Lecturer) in the School of Dance at the University of Utah since July 2023, following prior appointments as Assistant Professor (Lecturer) (2020-2023) and Visiting Assistant Professor (2017-2019). A professional dancer for 27 years, she performed with Richmond Ballet and The Metropolitan Opera, originating roles in works by William Soleau and Alexei Ratmansky while appearing in over 45 Met productions including Aida and La Traviata.
Her educational credentials include:
- BS in Ballet & Psychology from Indiana University (1990)
- MFA in Dance from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (2015)
McMillan's research centers on somatic practices and their application to dance technique, with emphasis on career longevity in dance. As a 500-hour certified yoga teacher, she integrates somatic methodologies into dance training, exploring themes of embodied intelligence and muscular awareness. Her creative scholarship manifests through choreographic works presented at Center for Performance Research, American College Dance Association, and International Conference on Teaching Somatics-Based Dance.
Analysis of her 15 most recent creative works reveals consistent exploration of community dynamics, spatial relationships, and resilience through contemporary choreography. Recurring subfields include site-specific performance, collaborative processes, and somatic awareness, often addressing themes of presence, identity, and everyday movement.
Her distinguished performance career earned recognition including:
- New York Dance and Performance Award (The Bessie) in 2004 for "soaring musicality... and the ability to illuminate abstract work with incandescent muscular intelligence"
- Critical acclaim from Eva Yaa Asantewaa as one of the "most memorable arts experiences of 2014"
McMillan has served on the Board of Governors for the American Guild of Musical Artists (2008-2018) and taught at New York University, Illinois Wesleyan University, and The Joffrey Ballet School. Her University of Utah teaching portfolio spans advanced ballet technique, dance anatomy, and creative practice courses including Adv Principles Teaching and Exper Anatomy for Dance, demonstrating commitment to pedagogical innovation in dance education.
