Paradise Valley Community College’s Dance Program participated in the American College Dance Festival’s High Desert Region Conference last month. This event gathered dancers from various colleges and universities for performances, classes, and feedback from nationally recognized dance professionals.
PVCC’s performance of “Speaking in Layers and Brushstrokes,” choreographed by faculty member Sonia Valle, was well-received. Dancers Victoria Morena Olmos-Tsosie, Amanda Taylor, and Charise Dickerson performed to music by Dobrinka Tabakova. Valle’s contributions included video elements and stage management, complemented by Stacey Walston’s lighting design.
Morena Olmos-Tsosie’s original piece, “Alchemist,” was chosen among more than 40 adjudicated pieces to perform at the High Desert Regional Gala Concert. This selection earned a spot at the 2025 National ACDA Gala at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., scheduled for May.
“I am thrilled to have been recognized for my choreographic work as well as my way of presenting movement to a live audience,” Morena Olmos-Tsosie stated. “The whole experience was liberating as we’re all people coming together for a common passion of expressive arts.”
Valle commented, “Being recognized for this festival is one of the highest honors in dance that one can receive.” She noted, “This is the second time our dance program has been featured in a regional Gala and is a testament to the program’s quality of instruction and its creative strength.”
Valle also shared that the solo by Morena Olmos-Tsosie was described by adjudicators as “a piece that has poetic storytelling rendered through a deeply articulate voice.”
Dr. Chris Scinto, PVCC Fine and Performing Arts Chair, remarked, “This remarkable accomplishment highlights PVCC’s dedication to fostering creative expression and excellence in dance.”
PVCC’s Dance Program offers educational pathways for careers in dance performance, choreography, teaching, or fitness instruction, and opportunities to diversify dance portfolios.
For more information about PVCC’s Fine and Performing Arts, visit their website. Specific inquiries about PVCC’s Dance program can be directed to Sonia Valle at 602-787-6808 or sonia.valle@paradisevalley.edu.
