معرفی
Krista Bower serves as Dean of the School of Fine Arts, Professor, and Chair of Dance at Belhaven University, where she has been part of the community since 2007. She holds an MFA in Choreography from Jacksonville University and a BFA in Dance from Belhaven University. Her work bridges faith, arts administration, and community engagement, emphasizing dance’s role in rural Mississippi, healthcare, and cultural preservation.
Education:
- MFA in Choreography, Jacksonville University
- BFA in Dance, Belhaven University
Research Interests:
- Faith and Dance: Integrating theological reflection into performance and pedagogy.
- Arts Leadership: Innovating administrative strategies for dance programs.
- Community Engagement: Developing initiatives like Dance for Parkinson’s and rural dance education.
Professional Contributions: Her recent research explores dance’s societal impact, from therapeutic applications to museum-based installations. She has presented widely at conferences including the National Dance Education Organization and Society of Dance History Scholars.
Awards & Recognition:
- Recipient of Jacksonville University Dean’s Award (2011, 2012)
- Mississippi Arts Commission Performing Arts Fellowship (2011, 2016)
- Named Mississippi’s 50 Leading Business Women (2013)
Teaching & Leadership: Bower teaches modern dance technique, choreography, and pedagogy. She leads Belhaven’s Dance Department, fostering collaborations with musicians and visual artists. Her initiatives include Front Porch Dance (a contemporary company) and the Yazoo City School of Dance, which employs Belhaven alumni.
Labs & Teams: Founder of Jackson’s Dance for Parkinson’s program and co-founder of Front Porch Dance. She also directed the 2014 USA IBC Dance School Teacher Training Program.
