JoAnna M Ursal
is a Caribbean-born, 1st-generation Filipina American,
raised along the Great Lakes of Northern Michigan with over 20 years of diverse
dance experience in the field of pedagogy, cultural studies, world dance
traditions, contemporary dance and performance studies. Trained
primarily in
Afrocuban folkloric dance, Southeast Asian Filipino dance, Modern and
Post-Modern Contemporary Dance, Ms. Ursal describes her work as residing
at the intersection of contemporary and traditional dance,
and has performed
with professional folkloric and contemporary dance companies in Los
Angeles,
New York, and San Francisco including: Emikeke, Grupo Olorun, Namah
Ensemble, Palabuniyan Kolingtang Ensemble and Oriza Dance Ensemble. Ms.
Ursal’s recent work with Miami-based choreographers and musicians such
as Ana Miranda, Carlota Pradera, Juraj Kojs, Toranika Washington, and
Gabriel Forestieri to name a few, has given her the wonderful
opportunity to
perform and collaborate within the vibrant artistic community of South
Florida as
well as share her solo works throughout the area. Additionally
trained in classical
piano, percussion and traditional Kolingtang (gamelan music from the
Philippines), Ms. Ursal is deeply interested in investigating the
interface of movement
and sound as it relates to technology and performance studies. With an
MA in
dance education from of UCLA's World Arts and Cultures Program and an
MFA in Dance and Choreography from Jacksonville University, she is
committed
to teaching, mentoring and training emerging dance artists, having
taught
most recently as an adjunct professor of dance at Miami Dade College
Kendall
Campus and Jacksonville University. She envisions expanding and
continuing her passion of dance and its related arts through the
educational and
creative efforts of Atman Dance Collective where she serves as its
Artistic
Director. Ms. Ursal joined CMN in 2014 and, aside
from her duties as CMN's Dance Liaison, she also currently serves on
CMN's Board of Directors.
