MCC Dance Company hosts alumnus lecture and movement experience 

MCC alumnus Emigdio Arredondo-Martinez, M.F.A in a black shirt with a red floral design. MESA, Arizona — April 28, 2021 —Mesa Community College Dance Program hosts Estudio de Identidad No. 1, a virtual lecture and movement experience with MCC alumnus Emigdio Arredondo-Martinez, M.F.A. on April 29, 2021 from 12 to 3 p.m.

Arredondo-Martinez will discuss his experience as an alumnus from MCC Dance and will share the story of his journey to earn his Bachelor’ and Masters of Fine Arts degrees from the University of Arizona and becoming a successful dancer, film editor and artist. The focus of this event will be to discuss and bring forward issues of race, sexuality and identity in dance, as a member of our Arizona communities, including his first-hand experience as a Queer, Latinx Dancer with emphasis on how these identities have informed his experience in dance, academia, and our 21st century world.

The movement portion of this experience will give participants the opportunity to investigate their own personal stories of identity through the creation of movement. Participants need not have prior dance experience to benefit from hearing Arredondo-Martinez speak, and to have an experience moving and processing the idea and meaning of identity vis-a-vis this movement experience.

The event is made possible by a Visiting Artists grant awarded through the Maricopa Center for Learning and Innovation (MCLI). MCLI hosts and supports numerous programs and events for faculty and students at Maricopa Community Colleges by exploring new horizons of education and implementing high-impact and high-quality strategies through cross-functional collaboration and professional development programs.

Visit mesacc.edu/arts (mesacc.edu/arts/Zs7) for a schedule of activities and to request access to this free virtual event.

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Media contact: Dawn Zimmer, dawn.zimmer@mesacc.edu, 480-461-7892

Mesa Community College is nationally recognized as an Aspen Prize Top 150 U.S. Community College and is known for service learning, career and technical programs, civic engagement and innovative approaches to education. For more than 50 years, the college has served as a resource for career readiness, transfer education, workforce development and lifelong learning. Host to more than 30,000 students annually, MCC offers degree and certificate programs at its two campuses, additional locations and a combination of online formats. Through Guided Pathways with Integrated Support Services and a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, MCC is transforming how it champions student success, college completion, university transfer and career attainment and advancement. MCC is a Hispanic Serving Institution and nearly 50% of its students are the first in their families to attend college. Its American Indian Institute serves students from the 22 federally recognized tribes of Arizona as well as out-of- state tribes. MCC has the largest indigenous student population of all the Maricopa Community Colleges. The diverse student body includes more than 300 international students from 55 countries. Award-winning faculty are dedicated to student success, providing the education and training that empowers MCC students to successfully transfer to a university or compete in the workforce. Located in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona, on the traditional territories of the O'odham, Piipaash and Yavapai Peoples, MCC is one of 10 colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District. Visit mesacc.edu to learn more.

MCC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org.

The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is an EEO/AA institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or national origin. A lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in the career and technical education programs of the District. MCCCD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs or activities. For Title IX/504 concerns, call the following number to reach the appointed coordinator: (480) 731-8499. For additional information, as well as a listing of all coordinators within the Maricopa College system,visit www.maricopa.edu/non-discrimination.

Source Details

Publication Date: 
Wednesday, April 28, 2021