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REBECCA VALLS, Associate Professor
School of Theatre and Dance, University of Houston
rvalls@central.uh.edu
EDUCATION
1981 Masters of Fine Arts in Choreography, Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, New York
1978 Bachelors of Fine Arts in Choreography, University of Louisiana, Lafayette, Louisiana
1975 Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design, University of Louisiana, Lafayette, Louisiana
CURRENT POSITIONS
2014-2020 Associate Professor of Dance, University of Houston, Houston, Texas
2000-2020 Director/Choreographer, Becky Valls & Company (with Young Audiences Houston)
2007-2015 Director/Choreographer, Memoirs of the Sistahood, multi-disciplinary performance series
ACADEMIC POSITIONS
2014-2020 University of Houston: Associate Professor of Dance
2008-2014 University of Houston: Assistant Professor of Dance
1997-2008 Rice University: Director of Dance Programs
1991-2008 University of Houston: Lecturer, Dance Faculty
1986-90 Sacred Heart Academy, Louisiana: Dance Specialist K-12 grades
1977-78 University of Louisiana: Lecturer, Dance Faculty
TEACHING AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2008-2020, School of Theatre and Dance, University of Houston, Houston, Texas
- Associate Professor of Dance (2014-16), Assistant Professor of Dance (2008-2013) Teach the following courses:
Senior Project and Career Management (mentor senior choreographers/prepare resumes & grants)
Dance History I (history of western theatrical dance pre-20th century)
Dance History II (20th century dance history- contemporary dance and ballet)
Dance Pedagogy I (pedagogical theory, curriculum planning, and practice teaching K-5th)
Modern Dance I (beginning level modern dance technique)
Modern Dance III (advanced intermediate modern dance technique & theory)
Advanced Technique &Theory (advanced modern dance technique& theory)
Aesthetics of Movement (dance appreciation)
Young Audiences Touring Company (director of student dance co. that performs science dance program in elementary schools)
Teaching Artistry (role / skills of professional teaching artists in the schools)
Dance Improvisation
1997-2008, Rice University, Houston, Texas
- Director of Dance Program 2001-2008
Expand dance course offerings, create semester class schedule, do annual evaluations on dance employees, hiring of new dance faculty, manage dance program budget
- Artistic Director/Choreographer of Rice Dance Theatre, a university modern dance company
Manage a 30-member company, produce two concerts a year, mentor choreographers, teach company modern dance classes; implement a guest artist program hiring local, national, and international dance teachers and choreographers to work with company; coordinate community outreach
- Production Director of following RDT dance concerts:
Dangling Participle 2001, En l’air a tere 2002, Chance Reiterated 2002, Running Up the Way
Down 2003, Stepopoly 2003, Everything + the Kitchen Sink 2004, Do you Sous Sous? 2004,
Sole Searching 2005, Once Upon A Dance 2005, Incite, Insight 2006, Excerpts from the Outside 2006, Backward with Conviction 2007, Last Call 2007
*Collaborative Concert, Rice Dance Theatre & Shepherd School of Music
- Dance Instructor- developed curriculum and taught the following courses:
Modern dance (beginning, intermediate, advanced levels)
Ballroom Dance (history and technique of foxtrot, waltz, swing, tango)
Latin Dance (history and technique of meringue, rumba, cha cha, salsa)
Country and Western Dance (history and technique of two-step, waltz, swing, polka)
Dance Improvisation and Composition
- Development of Community classes:
“Keep on Dancing”- modern/jazz dance technique for adults
“Creative Dance” for Early Childhood- ages 16 months -3 years
1991-2008 School of Theatre, University of Houston, Houston, Texas
- Lecturer Dance Faculty Position - developed curriculum and taught the following courses:
Dance History (history of western theatrical dance)
Aesthetics of Movement (dance appreciation)
Modern Dance I, II (beginning, intermediate modern dance technique)
Advanced Technique and Theory (advanced modern dance and theory)
Dance Production (craft of dance production, Production Director of UH Student Dance Concert)
Ballet I (beginning ballet technique)
Rhythm Skills for the Classroom (dance pedagogy/arts integration into elementary curriculum)
Dance Improvisation
1990-2008, Young Audiences of Houston, Houston, Texas
- Teaching Artist conduct student workshops and residencies integrating movement and academics
- Special Needs Residencies - dance residencies culminating in performance projects at Miller Theatre ---------------- and Houston Zoo for emotionally and physically challenged
- Dance Residencies –dance/academic integration in four schools who were recipients of the Annenberg A+ Challenge Program 2004-2008
1994 -2020, Presenter of Professional Development Workshops for Teachers
- Professional Development for Elementary Teachers- Young Audiences Houston, Texas
Presenter of 2-3 hour workshops, “Creative Movement for the Classroom”, in basic movement skills, pedagogical techniques and the integration of movement and curriculum (TEKS) for Houston ISD, Humble ISD, Conroe ISD, Aldine ISD, Spring Branch ISD, Houston Zoo, and for ------------ Houston ISD. Fine Arts Strategic-Initiatives for Gifted and Talented and Continuing Ed credit
- 2005-2020, Professional Development for Young Audience’s Teaching Artist, Houston, Texas
Mentor Teaching Artist in the planning and implementation of professional development
- 1994,1995, Texas Institute for Arts in Education, Houston, Texas, Presenter of 3-week Summer Session 1994, 1995- member of team of artist that trained classroom teachers in interdisciplinary arts instruction
1991-97, Texas Institute for Arts in Education, Houston, Texas
- Teaching Artist-interface with classroom teachers in developing units of study integrating the creative ------------------- process within the general curriculum
1981-90 Moving South Dance Company, Lafayette, Louisiana
- Company Director, Moving South Dance, Inc. Lafayette
Director of Repertory Company, Coordinator of Art-in-Education touring program
- Member of Board of Directors, Editor of Newsletter, Writer/Administrator of grants
- Dance Instructor- taught modern dance ( all levels), ballet, creative movement (ages 3 yrs. to adult)
- Choreographer and recipient of project grants for choreography
1986-90 Sacred Heart Academy, Grand Coteau, Louisiana
- Dance Instructor for grades K-12 – developed a comprehensive arts curriculum that included:
Technique-modern dance, ballet, jazz
Improvisation and composition (creative dance K-6th, improvisation 7-12th)
Dance history and criticism
Dance production and performance
- Director/Choreographer of dance company and school musicals- Wizard of Oz, Godspell
1977-78 School of Art & Architecture, University of Louisiana, Lafayette, Louisiana
- Dance Lecturer / Choreographer for modern dance company, The Company
Courses: Intermediate Modern Dance, Performance I
PUBLISHED JOURNAL ARTICLES:
Published journal article In Research in Dance Education Journal (RIDE) Title “Five Years of Integrating Science and Dance: A Qualitative Inquiry of Elementary School Teachers”, Lead author with co-authors Dr. Carolyn Black and Dr. Mimi Lee, January 2019
MASTER CLASSES / GUEST TEACHING:
“Laban / Bartenieff Fundamentals Workshop” M.A. Theatre Summer Program for secondary teachers, University of Houston, Texas 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
“Laban / Bartenieff or Actors” (high school) and “Learning Science through Movement” (elementary), guest teacher for TETA Conference, Houston.
January 2015, Dallas September 2019
“Teaching STEM through Dance”- Guest Teacher for UH College of Education’s STEP Program - program serves elementary science teachers in the Houston area. February 2015
Arts Integration (lecture), Modern Dance I, Modern Dance II- guest teacher at Bucknell University – 1 week, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, February 2015
“Science Dance”- presentation/workshop, American College Dance Festival, University of Texas, Austin, Texas, March 2014
“Science Dance”- presentation/workshop, American College Dance Festival, Belhaven College,
Jackson, Mississippi, March 2013
Modern Dance Master Class with Core Performance Co., Atlanta, GA, November 2012
“Modern Dance Master Class”, American College Dance Festival, New Mexico State University,
Las Cruces, New Mexico, March 2011
“Modern Dance Master Class”, Dance Department, Stephen F. Austin University, Nacogdoches, Texas, September 2010
Interdisciplinary Workshop with high school art, dance, theatre, & creative writing students at the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts, New Orleans, March 2009
“Modern Dance Master Class” American College Dance Festival, University of Texas, Austin, Texas, March, 2006
“Modern Dance Master Class”, American College Dance Festival, Stephen F. Austin University, Nacogdoches, Texas, March 1998
“Modern Dance Master Class”, American College Dance Festival, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas, March 1996
“Modern Dance Class”, American College Dance Festival, University of Arkansas, Little Rock, Arkansas, March 1993
CURRICULUM AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
- Developed new CEU program, Arts for Learning Lab in partnership with Young Audiences of Houston to train professional artist to enter the Teaching Artist field. Program began August 2018
- Developed new course with Karen Stokes, DAN 4330-Career Skills for the Developing Artist, 2016
- Developed an online course for DAN 2307- Aesthetics of Movement (introduction to dance) which is a WID and Creative Arts elective. Created “micro-dance classes online for students to physically experience dance. 2015
- Submitted two courses for Writing in the Disciplines, Core Curriculum: DAN 3310–Dance History I and DAN 2307-Aesthetics of Movement. Both were approved, 2012-2013
- Developed new pedagogy course, Dance Pedagogy I, in accordance with requirements from the College of Education for students seeking certification in dance, 2009
- Expanded the dance history course to two semesters of study. Developed curriculum and materials for Dance History I, 2008
- Developed dance program for community outreach at Rice University: “Keep on Dancing” (adult modern and jazz), Early Childhood Creative Movement classes, Ballroom Dance 2002- 2008
- Expanded dance curriculum at Rice University to include courses on world dance forms- Brazilian Capoeira, Classical Indian Dance, and Middle Eastern Dance 2002-2004
- Developed UH course curriculum for, DAN 2307-Aesthetics of Movement and DAN 1205 Rhythm Skills for the Classroom, then taught course content to Adjunct Faculty members, Jacqueline Nalett, and mentored her in the teaching of the courses and shared course materials. Mentored Adjunct Faculty, Toni Valle, also in the teaching of DAN 2307- Aesthetics of Movement
CREATIVE ACTIVITY: CONTEMPORARY CHOREOGRAPHY
*Choreography selected for juried, invitational, or adjudicated concert
Professional Choreography
Exquisite Corpse -collaboration with Electrical Engineer, Dr. Jose Contreras-Vidal
UH Moore’s Opera House with Dario Robleto (artist) and Woody Witt (musician), (National Geographic photo shoot) Houston, TX Dec. 2017
UH Engineering Bldg with Teresa Chapman and John Beasant, Feb. 2016
Trail of Dresses (Memoirs of the Sistahood- Chapter Four) with sculptor Babette Beaullieu,
Going Dutch Festival, Chicago, IL. , July 2016
Red Square (Your Brain on Dance research with engineer professor Dr. Contreras-Vidal). Performed during Innovation Week, Smithsonian Museum, Washington D.C. September 2015
Drift, BarnStorm Dance Fest (summer dance festival), The Barn, Houston, TX, June 2015
Memoirs of the Sistahood- Chapter Four: Sacred Trails, Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, August 2013
Red Square *(reconstruction):
WestFest Dance Festival, Martha Graham Theatre, New York City, New York, April 2013
Harvest Chicago Dance Festival, Ruth Page Center for the Arts, Chicago, Illinois, October 2012
Expressiones Cuatro Concert, Tempe Center for the Arts, Tempe, Arizona, March 2011
Navigating the Hallway Concert, Contemporary Art Museum Houston, Texas October 2010
Web*, commissioned by Core Performance Co:
Callanwolde Art Center, Atlanta, Georgia, February 2013
Florida Dance Festival, USF Theatre, Tampa, Florida, June 2013
Memoirs of the Sistahood- Chapter Three: Ave Maria (evening length), in collaboration with sculptor, Babette Beaullieu, film maker, Deborah Schildt
Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, March 2012
Diverse Works, Houston, Texas, October 2011
Unhinged* (solo), Big Range Dance Festival, Houston, Texas, June 2010
Eyebox*, Co-choreographed with Leslie Scates, Big Range Dance Festival, Houston, Texas
June 2010
Madonna*, Let’s Dance Concert, Miller Outdoor Theatre, Houston, Texas, April 2010
Faculty Dance Concert, College of Brockport, Brockport, New York, November 2010
Memoirs of the Sistahood, Chapter Two: House, (evening length) in collaboration with sculptor, Babette Beaullieu, film maker, Deborah Schildt
Barnevelder Theatre, Houston, Texas, October 2009
Territory, Big Range Dance Festival, Barnevelder Theatre, Houston, Texas, May 2009
Memoirs of the Sistahood- Chapter One, (evening length) in collaboration with sculptor, Babette Beaullieu Wattigny, film maker, Deborah Schildt
Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, April 2009
Diverse Works Arts, Houston, Texas, December 2007
Static, *Weekend of Texas Contemporary Dance, Miller Theatre, Houston, Texas, September 2006
Façade, *Big Range Dance Festival, Barnvelder Theatre, Houston, Texas, June 2005
On the Wing, Weekend of Texas Contemporary Dance, Miller Theatre, Houston, Texas,
September 2004
Palmetto, *12 Min. Max Concert, Diverse Works, Houston, Texas, October 1999
Farewell, Arts Alliance Center, Clear Lake, Texas, January1998
Collaboration with choreographer, Victoria Loftin, and artist, Surpik Z. Angellini
Daisy and Lily, *Houston Dance Coalition, Cullen Theatre, Houston, Texas, October 1997
Diary of a Mad Domestic, Weekend of Texas Contemporary Dance, Houston, Texas,
September 1995
White Wind, *JCC Dance Month –Choreographers X6 Concert, Houston, Texas, January 1994
Red Square, *Houston Dance Coalition, Cullen Theatre, Houston Texas, October 1992
Passage, *Six Choreographers Concert, Cullen Theatre, Houston, Texas, November 1990
Children of the Rhyme, *University of Louisiana Artist Showcase, Lafayette, Louisiana,
November 1990
Cajun Days of the Week, collaboration with choreographers of Moving South Dance, Inc.
Tour of Festivals, France & Belgium with - La Compagnie Louisianaise -4 week tour, July 1990
New Orleans Residency - 60 school performances/6 weeks, New Orleans, Louisiana, November/December 1986
Children’s International Festival, Wolf trap, Virginia, 1986, 1987
Companion Pace, Moving South Dance Concert, Lafayette, Louisiana, April 1988
Sacred Shadows, Moving South Dance Concert, Lafayette, Louisiana, April 1986
(Collaborative project with ethnomusicologist Austin Sonnier and sculptor Babette Wattigny)
Private Property, Moving South Dance Concert
Heymann Center for the Arts, with Lafayette Ballet, and Acadiana Symphony Orchestra
Lafayette, Louisiana, April 1985
*Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans, Louisiana 1986
*Museum of Fine Arts, Sculpture Symposium, Houston, Texas April 1986
A Day in the Life, Moving South Dance Concert, Lafayette, Louisiana, March 1984
Summer Song, Baton Rouge Ballet Concert, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, September 1982
On the Beach, Moving South Dance Concert, Lafayette, Louisiana, January 1982
Cajun Grass, Moving South Dance Concert, Heymann Center, Lafayette, Louisiana, January 1982
Choreography for Students:
Les Filles, Faculty Dance Concert, Wortham Theatre, University of Houston, Texas, April 2019
Spotless, Faculty Dance Concert, Wortham Theatre, University of Houston, Texas, April 2018
Rice Dance Theatre Concert, Hamman Hall, Rice University, Houston, Texas, April 2002
Tencity, Faculty Dance Concert, Wortham Theatre, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, April 2017
Unhinged, Faculty Dance Concert, Wortham Theatre, University of Houston, Houston, Texas,
March 2016
Territory, Faculty Dance Concert, University of Houston, Quintero Lab Theatre, Houston, Texas, March 2015
Drift, Faculty Dance Concert, Wortham Theatre, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, March 2014
Dangle, Bucknell Dance Company, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, April 2015
Faculty Dance Concert, Wortham Theatre, University of Houston, Houston Texas, April 2013
American College Dance Festival, Belhaven College, Jackson, Mississippi 2013
The Seduction of Brie, Faculty Dance Concert, Wortham Theatre, University of Houston,
Houston, Texas, April 2011
AURA Concert, with Moore’s School of Music, Moore’s Opera House, Houston, Texas 2011
Different Trains
SFA Concert, Stephen F. Austin University, Nacogdoches, Texas, February 2011
Faculty Dance Concert, Wortham Theatre, University of Houston, Texas April 2010
American College Dance Festival, Sam Houston University, Huntsville, Texas March 1999
Beater Wife, Faculty Dance Concert, Wortham Theatre, University of Houston, Texas, April 2009
Sisterhood, Rice Dance Theatre, Hamman Hall, Rice University, Houston, Texas, April; 2007
Red Squares, Rice Dance Theatre, Hamman Hall, Rice University, Houston, Texas, April 2005
Rose and Alice, Faculty Dance Concert, University of Houston, Wortham Theatre, Houston, Texas April 2005
Kringsloop, Collaboration Concert with Rice Dance Theatre and Shepherd School of Music,
With original music by Kurt Stallmann, Stude Hall, Houston, Texas April 2005
White Bird, Faculty Dance Concert, University of Houston, Wortham Theatre, Houston, Texas
April 2003
War Hall, Rice Dance Theatre, Houston, Harjo Black Box, Rice University, Texas, April 2001
Lumbranzi’s Buffoonery, Rice Dance Theatre, Harjo Black Box, Rice University, Houston, Texas November 1999
Through Guilded Trellises, Faculty Dance Concert, University of Houston, Texas, April 2000
River of Milk, Faculty Dance Concert, University of Houston, Texas, April 1999
Isecta Side, Faculty Dance Concert, University of Houston, Texas, April 1996
Support System, Faculty Dance Concert, Collin Hall, University of Houston, Houston , Texas, April 1993
American College Dance Festival, Little Rock, Arkansas, March 1993
Timeless Images, Sacred Heart High School, Grand Coteau, Louisiana, April 1989
Raining Men, Sacred Heart High School, Grand Coteau, Louisiana, May 1988
Hot Lunch, Sacred Heart High School, Grand Coteau, Louisiana, May 1986
Lollywally, ACDFA National Dance Concert, Kennedy Center, Washington D.C., May 1981
Cajun Grass, S.L.C. Dance Concert, Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, New York, April 1981
Woman, S.L.C. Dance Concert, Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, New York, April 1980
Choreography for Choreo-Dance Theatre, University of Louisiana, Lafayette, Louisiana
1976-78: Bon Temp (1976), Three Tempo-Rock (1976), Bearing Roots (1976), Overture to the Sun(1977),On the Wing (1977), From the Earth (1978), Mime (1978), Mother (1978), Ritual (1978)
PERFORMING EXPERIENCE
Trail of Dresses (Memoirs of the Sistahood- Chapter Four) with sculptor Babette Beaullieu,
Going Dutch Festival, Chicago, IL., July 2016
Cracked, an evening-length work by Toni Valle, Quintero Lab Theatre, Houston, Texas, May 2016
Red Square with Dr. Contreras-Vidal, Blaffer Innovation Series, Quintero Lab Theatre, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, February 2015 (Performed Red Square in a brain cap embedded with electrodes to track brainwaves. The EEG was projected on stage and the brain waves controlled intensity in lighting design.) 2015
Urban Songline, with choreographers Leslie Scates, Karen Stokes, Teresa Chapman, and sound/ Dutch artist, Allard Van Hoorn, Blaffer Art Museum, Houston, Texas November 2014
Memoirs of the Sistahood – Chapter Four: Sacred Trails, Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, August 2013
Memoirs of the Sistahood- Chapter Three: Ave Maria, Diverse Works Houston October 2011
& Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans, Louisiana March 2012
Blurred, by Karen Stokes, AURA Concert, Moore’s Opera House, Houston, Texas, April 2011
Red Square (solo performance),
Expresiones Cuatro Concert, Tempe Center for the Arts, Tempe, Arizona, March 2011
Bill Evans Dance Intensive for Professionals Concert, Seattle, Washington, August 2003
Faculty Dance Concert, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, April 2003
Houston Dance Coalition Concert, Cullen Theatre, Houston, October 1992
Unhinged (solo), Big Range Dance Festival, Houston, Texas 2010
Eyebox (duet with Leslie Scates), Big Range Dance Festival, Houston, Texas 2010
Memoirs of the Sistahood, Chapter Two: House, Barnevelder Theatre, Houston, Texas, October 2009
Master Artist Performance- group collaboration/site specific work, National Dance Education Org Conference, La Guardia High School for the Performing Arts, New York City, New York
June 2009
Territory by R.Valls, Big Range Dance Festival, Barnevelder Theatre, Houston, Texas, May 2009
Memoirs of the Sistahood-Chapter One, Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, April 2009
Memoirs of the Sistahood- Chapter One, evening-length concert, collaboration with sculptor Babette Beaullieu and filmmaker Deborah Schildt, Diverse Works, Houston, Texas, December 2007
Equipose, by Victoria Loftin, San Jacinto College, Houston, Texas, May 2007
Hamman Hall, Rice University, Houston, Texas, April 2007
Cracked, an evening-length work by Toni Valle, Diverse Works, Houston, Texas, December 2006
Equipoise, by Victoria Loftin, Master Artist Series Concert, NDEO Conference, Long Beach, California, October 2006
Uncovered, the American Health Care Story, directed by Linda Phenix with choreography by
R. Valls, Barnvelder Movement Arts Complex, Houston, Texas, October 2005
Rousseau’s Devin de Village, choreography Catherine Turocy & New York Baroque Dance Co., music Mercury Baroque, Zilkha Hall Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, Houston, May 2004
Palmetto, by R. Valls collaboration with Jean Denatto, 12 Min. Max Concert, Diverse Works, Houston, Texas, October 1999
Farewell, collaboration with Victoria Loftin, Arts Alliance Center, Clear Lake, Texas, January 1998
Form and Formless, Oh, I Long to See You in the Doorway, by Linda Phenix, On the Line-Chrysalis Dance Concert, Heinen Theatre, Houston, Texas, May 1997
Pioneer Mother, choreography by Linda Phenix, Chrysalis Dance Co., Houston Dance Coalition Concert, Cullen Performance Hall, Houston, Texas, October 1997
Daisy and Lilly, choreography by R. Valls, Houston Dance Coalition, Cullen Theatre, Houston, Texas, Oct 1997
White Wind, solo by R. Valls, JCC Dance Month- Choreographers X6, Kaplan Theatre, Houston, Texas
January 1994
Passage, solo by R. Valls, Six Choreographers’ Concert, Cullen Theatre, Houston November 1990
Children of the Rhyme, solo performance, University of Louisiana, Lafayette, November 1990
Moving South Dance, Inc., Lafayette, Louisiana (Company member 1981-1990)
Sarah Lawrence College Dance Concerts, Bronxville, New York- 1979-1981 (MFA program)
Commissions for Choreography:
Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania (2015)
Core Performance Co., Atlanta, Georgia (2013)
Stephen F. Austin University, Nacogdoches, Texas (2010)
San Jacinto College, Houston, Texas (2007 & 2005)
High School for the Visual and Performing Arts, Houston, Texas (2004)
Urban Indian Beat Dance Company, Houston, Texas (2002 & 2001)
Chrysalis Dance Company, Houston, Texas (2000 & 1996)
Arts Alliance Center, Clear Lake, Texas (1998)
Joan Karff’s New Dance Group, Houston, Texas (1991)
Tour of Festivals in France/Belgium (choreographic collaboration by Moving South Dance, Inc. (1990)
Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre, Baton Rouge, Louisiana (1988)
Lafayette Festival Ballet, Lafayette, Louisiana (1986)
Moving South Dance, Inc. Lafayette, Louisiana (1982-89)
GRANTS /AWARDS/ HONORS
Grants:
National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Grant 50K for Arts for Learning Lab, CEU program in partnership with Young Audiences of Houston (who submitted grant proposal) December 2019.
Online Course Development Grant to create an online course- DAN 2307- Aesthetics of Movement
University of Houston, Houston, Texas, 2015
Provost Faculty Travel Grant, University of Houston, to do two presentations at the National Dance Education Conference, Chicago, IL, November 2014
UH Grant-In Aid to tour Memoirs of the Sistahood - Chapter Three: Ave Maria to the
Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans, Louisiana 2012
Houston Arts Alliance Individual Project Grant to produce Memoirs of the Sistahood - Chapter Three: Ave Maria Houston, Texas 2011
Provost Faculty Travel Grant, University of Houston, to do two presentations at the National Dance Education Conference, Minneapolis, Minnesota 2011
UH Small Grants Program, to produce Memoirs of the Sistahood - Chapter Three: Ave Maria
Houston, Texas 2011
Diverse Works Performing Arts Residency to perform Memoirs of the Sistahood - Chapter Three: Ave Maria Houston, Texas 2011
Jacob’s Pillow Scholarship to be part of an 8-day dance research team (8 choreographers & 4 dance researchers), Jacob’s Pillow Choreographer’s Lab, Beckett, Massachusetts 2010
Provost Faculty Travel Grant, University of Houston, to present at the National Dance Education Conference
New York City, New York, June 2009
National Performance Network Residency Grant, to perform Memoirs of the Sistahood- Chapter One at the Contemporary Arts Center & do workshop at New Orleans Creative Center for the Arts
New Orleans, Louisiana 2009
New Faculty Research Grant, to produce Memoirs of the Sistahood- Chapter Two,
Barnevelder Theatre, Houston, Texas 2008
Creative Capital Grant – invitation to submit full application for 2008 Grant Cycle, 2008
Diverse Works Performing Artist Residency, to produce Memoirs of the Sistahood- Chapter One, Diverse Works Artspace, Houston, Texas 2007
Acadiana Arts Council Project Grant, to produce Companion Pace, Moving South Dance Concert , Lafayette, Louisiana 1988
Louisiana State Arts Council Project Grant for Choreography, to produce Sacred Shadows,
Collaboration with ethnomusicologist, Austin Sonnier, and sculptor, Babette Wattigny
Lafayette, Louisiana 1986
Louisiana State Arts Council Project Grant for Choreography, to produce Private Property- collaboration with sculptor, Babette Wattigny, and Acadian Symphony, Lafayette, Louisiana. 1985
Louisiana State Arts Council Project Grant for Choreography, to perform Lollywally
with Acadian Symphony, Lafayette, Louisiana 1984
Louisiana State Arts Council Project Grant for Choreography, commission a set design for
Cajun Grass by painter, Robert Dafford, Lafayette. Louisiana 1982
Honors:
Ross M. Lence Teaching Award, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, March 2013
Lollywally, Choreography selected for national gala performance at the Kennedy Center,
Washington D.C. by the American College Dance Festival Association, 1981
PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIPS
- National Dance Education Organization 2001-2020, member of Board of Directors 2007-2010
- American Education Research Association (AERA) 2017
- Association for Constructivist Teaching 2011, 2016
- Fresh Arts Coalition, through UH Center for Choreography 2008-2015
- Society of Dance History Scholars 1997, 1998
- Houston Dance Coalition 1991-97
- Louisiana State Artist Roster 1986-90
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
“All for One: Lessons Learned from Year One of YA of Houston’s (in partnership with UH’s College of the Arts) Arts for Learning Lab”, Young Audiences National Conference, Houston, Texas April 2019
“Your Brain on Art: Creativity in Sound, Movement, and Visual Arts”, in collaboration with Dr. Jose Contreras-Vidal, International Conference on Mobil Brain-Body Imaging and the Neuroscience of Art, Innovation, and Creativity, Valencia, Spain Sept 2017
“Implementing the Dance of Science in Constructivist Classrooms: Choreography of Dualities”, American Education Research Association (AERA) National Meeting, San Antonio, Texas,
April 2017
“The Dance of Science: Teachers Reflect on Five Years of Integrating Dance and Science”,
Association of Constructivist Teaching National Conference, Houston, Texas, October 2016
“Integrating K-5 Science and Dance: A Qualitative Inquiry of Constructivist Teachers”, paper,
National Dance Education Organization Conference, Washington D.C. October 2016
“The Dance of Science: Teachers Reflect on Five Years of Integrating Dance and Science”,
Houston Arts Partner Conference, Alley Theatre, Houston Texas, September 2016
“The Dance of Science: Knowledge Construction in Group Compositions”, lecture/workshop, National Dance Education Organization Conference, Chicago, Illinois, November 2014
“A Model for Implementing Professional Development Workshops for Classroom Teachers and Administrators”, Lecture, Young Audiences National Leadership Conference, organized by National YA Affiliate in New York, and hosted by YA Houston, Texas, August 2013
“Science/Dance Project: Constructing Knowledge through Creative Dance” (Co-Presenter with Dr. Carolyn Black, UH Charter School), Association for Constructivist Teaching National Conference, Houston, October 2011
“The Sustaining Power of Artistic Collaboration: The Madonna Project” (Co-Presenter with Dr. Suzanne Oliver, College of Brockport), Paper/video, National Dance Education Organization Conference, Minneapolis, Minnesota, October 2011
“A Case for Embodied Learning- Jacob’s Pillow Choreographers Lab 2010” (Co-Presenter Dr. Jody Weber, Bridgewater State University, Mass.), Lecture/video, National Dance Education Organization Conference, Minneapolis, Minnesota, October 2011
“An Artist/Agency Relationship: Developing Kinesthetic Education through Young Audiences”
Lecture /video, National Dance Education Organization Conference, New York 2009
“The Stage is a Canvas- An Entry Point to Observing Dance”, Lecture/Workshop. National Education Organization Conference, Long Beach, California, October 2006
Lecture /Performances:
“Creative Movement for the Classroom”, Lecture/Workshop presentation, National Dance Education Organization Conference, Michigan State University, October 2004
“Meaning of Dance” Lecture/Video presentation, sponsored by Weekend of Contemporary Dance, and Diverse Works, Houston, Texas, September 2002, 2003
“Different Trains” Performance, Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Houston, Texas, December 1998
“Dance of the Insects”, Performance/Lecture, Odyssey ‘98- Multiple Intelligence Conference, Houston, Texas, June 1998
“Integration of Science and Dance”, Performance/Lecture at Cedar Brook Elementary, for Young Audience National Accreditation Team, April 1998
“Children of the Rhyme”, “Passage”, Performance/Lecture, Artist Showcase, University of Louisiana, Lafayette, Louisiana, January 1991
“Cajun Days of the Week”, Performance/Lecture, Louisiana State Arts in Education Annual Conference Lafayette, Louisiana, September 1988
ADDITIONAL RESEARCH
Your Brain on Dance 2015- 2018
A research project with neuroscientist and engineer, Dr. Contreras-Vidal, who develops algorithms based on electrical brain activity in the brain. In this project Valls performs a solo dance Red Square in a brain cap embedded with electrodes to track brainwaves. The EEG is projected on stage so brain waves are visible and control the intensity of the lighting design. Data is being collected to study expressive movement. The movement analysis of Laban provided labels to relate to the grammar in brain activity to study the link between dance and the intent/command of the brain.
February 2015 –UH Quintero Lab Theatre -Performance /Demo of Red Square performed by Valls in brain cap. The research was launched as part of the Innovation Series directed by James Rosengren, Director of Blaffer Art Museum which promoted interdisciplinary collaboration between university departments.
September 2015 Red Square performed in research demo, Your Brain on Dance, at the Smithsonian Museum’s Innovation Week, Washington D.C.
October 2015 - UH College of Architecture – Performance/demo of Red Square for audience of deans of engineer departments (from southwest US universities).
Dance of Science Project 2010-2015
The Science/Dance Project is a research study conducted at the University of Houston Charter School, a K-5th grade constructivist school. The principal investigators (PI) for the research project are Dr. Carolyn Black, Principal of the school, and Becky Valls, UH Assistant Professor of Dance and Teaching Artist. The project has two strands: teacher training in arts integration and the development of science/ dance curriculum; and the study of embodied learning and analysis of “evidence of reasoning” (construction of knowledge of science concepts through movement experiences).
Documentation gathered to date is 75 science /dance lessons by classroom teachers.
2015 created a video documentary which included teacher interviews.
2015 Applied to Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects (CPHS) to do analysis. Research proposal “Analysis on the Constructivist Science Dance Program. It was granted July 2015.
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
2016 Completed online course through NDEO “Dance Research” with Dr. Doug Risner
2015 Alliance for the Arts in Research Universities Conference at Virginia Tech University, Blacksburg, Virginia. November 2015
2015 Arts for Learning, Young Audiences National Workshop with Eric Booth
*3-day professional workshop for Teaching Artist and YA administrators, Atlanta , GA, January
*3-day professional workshop for Teaching Artist and YA administrators in Houston, TX, July
2014 NDEO online course, Dance History 1800-Present, Instructor Doug Risner, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, June-August
2013 Young Audiences National Leadership Conference, Houston, Texas
(3-day professional development workshop in arts administration)
2002-16 National Dance Education Organization Conferences: 2002-Providence, R.I.; 2003 - University of New Mexico, Albuquerque; 2004 – Michigan State University, East Lansing;
2005 –University at Buffalo, New York; 2006- California State University at Long Beach;
2007 – Mobile, Alabama; 2008-Towson University, Baltimore, MD, 2009- New York City;
2010- Phoenix, AZ; 2011 –Minneapolis, MN; 2014- Chicago, IL, Washington D.C. 2016
2010 Choreographer’s Lab, Jacob’s Pillow Dance, Becket, Mass.,
(8-day research project-“A Case for Embodied Learning” by choreographers & dance researchers)
2004 “Baroque and Bourneville” Catherine Turocy, Texas Women’s University, Denton, Texas --------------------------- (18th and 19th century ballet technique and history)
- Dance Intensive for Professionals, Bill Evans, Seattle, Washington
(Evans Technique, Bartenieff Fundamentals)
2001 East Coast Baroque Dance Workshop, Tom Baird, Paige Whitley-Bauguess
Rutgers College, New Brunswick, New Jersey, (18th century theatrical & social dance)
2001 Arts in Education Workshop with Kathleen Kaffney of Artsgenesis Inc. of New York
Houston, Texas (Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Theory in the classroom)
1999 East Coast Baroque Dance Workshop, Tom Baird, Paige Whitley-Bauguess
Rutgers College, New Brunswick, New Jersey, (18th century theatrical & social dance)
1998 Arts in Education workshop with Kathleen Kaffney of Artsgenesis, Inc. of New York
Houston, Texas (Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Theory in the classroom)
1992-6 Contemporary Dance Intensives with Nina Martin, , Jacalyn Tanzfabrik, Susan Haigler-Robles, ------------------- Pat Graney, University of Houston, Houston, Texas (modern technique, improvisation)
1988-9 Contemporary Dance Residencies with Robert Small, Rachel Lambert,
Moving South Dance Company, Lafayette, Louisiana (Modern technique, choreography)
1987 Summer Intensive-Bill Evans and Co., Janet Hamburg, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana------------ (Evans Technique, Bartenieff Fundamentals)
- Contemporary Dance Intensives, Debbie Poulsen, Greg Lizenberry,
Newcomb College, New Orleans, Louisiana, (Evans Technique, Bartenieff Fundamentals)
1982 Erick Hawkins Residency, University of Louisiana, Lafayette, Louisiana (Hawkins technique/ philosophy)
1981 "The Early Years- American Modern Dance 1900-1930”, State University of New York, Purchase, New York, (dance history conference/performances)
1979-81 Training in New York:
Graham Technique- Dennis Jefferson, Sharon Tyers, Bonnie Bird
Limon Technique- Clay Taliaferro, Sharon Bouck
Cunningham Technique- Meg Harper, Valda Setterfield, Susan Alexander
Hawkins Technique- Eric Hawkins, Nancy Meehan, Laura Pettibone
Holm Technique- Don Redlich, Murray Louis, Jennifer Donohue
Ballet - Marie Adair
Jazz Dance- Lynn Simonson Technique- Frank Mon Toya, Danny Pepitone
Improvisation- Jamie Cunningham (acting & voice), Irene Feigenheimer, Don Redlich
1977 Summer Semester with Murray Louis and Co., American University- Academy for the Performing Arts, Washington D.C. (Lighting Design, Composition, Holm Technique)
DEPARTMENT/COLLEGE SERVICE
- Chair, Governance Committee 2019
- Serve on College of the Arts Committees: Grievance Comm.(2016-2019), and ADVANCE Comm. 2018-2019
- Serve on the Executive Committee for School of Theatre and Dance –responsible for merit reviews and teaching evaluations 2015- 2020
- Director of the Young Audiences Touring Company (YATC) comprised of UH Dance Ensemble which tours a science/ dance performance program, Safari! in elementary schools creating revenue for the Dance Program 2016- 2020
- Served on to two CLASS committees: Governance Comm. and Grievance Comm. 2015
- Creator and Director of the Young Audiences Touring Program (YATC) comprised of UH Dance Ensemble which tours a science/ dance performance program, Under the Sea in elementary schools creating revenue for the Dance Program, 2008-2014
- Director of the UH Dance Ensemble Spring 2010 and 2011
- Faculty Advisor for students on Dance Certification track, 2008-2020
- Guest Teacher, MA Program @ UH in Theatre Education, Laban Movement Analysis,
July 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018,2019
- Coordinator of Reservations for Dance Studios, 2008-2020
- Facilitator of Teacher Training Workshop “Integration of Movement/Music into Literature” for D.E.C.K. Camp in Fifth Ward (School of Theatre & Dance project) June 2009 and 2010
- Faculty Advisor for student organization, University Dance Theatre, 2009-2010
- Recruitment Coordinator of potential students in for the School of Theatre and Dance 2008- 2013
- Member of Undergraduate Studies Council for C.L.A.S.S., Fall 2009
- Organized/hosted a professional development workshop for the Dance Faculty titled” Classroom Management: Creating a Culture for Learning” given by Vivian Fridley-Hereford, 2009
- Faculty Advisor for Interdisciplinary Studies- Cluster Option #2, 2008 -2009
- Interview Committee for new faculty positions: Costume Design & Technology position; Director of Theatre Program for 5th Ward (outreach program funded by Houston Endowment Grant)
- Production Director, UH Student Dance Concert 1997-2003
Public Works, Melcher Gym 1996; Dance Forever, Wortham Black Box 1997; Collective Groove, Melcher Gym 1998; Exhale, Wortham Theatre 1999; Gestures, Wortham Theatre 2000;
Voices, Wortham Theatre 2001
- Choreographer, University of Houston Dance Ensemble 1992-2019
COMMUNITY SERVICES
- Selected to serve on a state committee- TExES (Texas Examinations for Educator Standards) Educator Certification Virtual Framework Review Committee for Dance 6th-12th grade, coordinated by Texas Education Agency (TEA) July 2015
- Director/Choreographer/Performer of Becky Valls and Company with Young Audiences of Houston
Tour two 45 min. dance programs in the schools, Dance of the Insects and For the Birds
which were selected for the Healing Arts Program. 50 performances annually -1990-2016
- Guest presenter at Houston Arts Partners, “Science /Dance Project”, Houston, Texas, September 2012
- Facilitator of Arts Integration Professional Development Workshop for Conroe I.S.D., “Practicing and Facilitating Arts Integration”, Oak Ridge High School, Woodlands, Texas, February 2012
- Dance Curriculum Design (200 hours) for Prekindergarten- 5th Grade, Houston Independent School District. Wrote Houston ISD Objectives, prepared a Vertical Alignment and Horizontal Alignment Planning Guide for PreK-5th grades(Committee composed of three Dance Educators) January-June 2010
- Facilitator of “Creative Movement for the Classroom” professional development workshops for classroom teachers, on-going workshops hosted by HISD and Young Audiences of Houston, Texas 2002-2013
- Served on the H.I.S.D. Foundation Arts in Education Working Group to develop a K-12 comprehensive, developmental arts curriculum for Houston ISD 2008
- Society for the Performing Arts Teacher Workshop on Velveteen Rabbit, Houston, Texas 2007
- Hosted video teleconferencing master ballet class at Rice University with University of Texas – Austin, Dance Department, Society for the Performing Arts, taught by Boca Tango 2007
- Guest presenter at Evening for Educators, Museum of Fine Arts. Presented The Body is a Paintbrush, 2007
- Coordinator of 12 Rice Dance Theatre performances at Museum of Fine Arts Houston in collaboration with exhibit “Body of Color” 2007
- Houston A+ Challenge K-5 Initiative Schools- 5 years of mentoring schools in arts integration through presentations to parents & schools, district trainings, and public forums 2004-2008
- Guest presenter at Partners Collaborative (Arts Advocacy in the Schools), Houston, Texas 2006
- Panelist for Cultural Arts Council of Houston and Harris (CACHH) peer review panel for the Organization Grant Program (Operating and Project Grants), Houston, Texas, 2006
- Member of Super Team of Artist, a special committee with the Texas Coalition for the Quality Arts Education 2004-2005
- Panel member of “Indian Dance in the Diaspora- Traditions and Innovations”- the first North American International Conference of Indian Dance, Houston, Texas, September 2001
- Panelist for Cultural Arts Council of Houston and Harris (CACHH) peer review panel for the Organization Grant Program (Operating and Project Grants), Houston, Texas, 1995
NATIONAL SERVICE
- Reviewer, reviewed manuscript for Journal of Dance Education, March 2017 (national)
- Reviewer, reviewed manuscript for Journal of Dance Education, July 2017 (international)
- Invited by the Young Audiences National Affiliate, New York to be a presenter for Young Audiences National Leadership Conference. Conference hosted by Young Audiences of Houston, Texas, August, 2013.
- Board Member for the National Dance Education Organization (2007-2010)– Attended two board meetings annually in Baltimore, New York City and Tempe; Job Description: Co-Coordinator for the Higher Education Special Interest Group, Coordinator for Silent Auction Fundraiser, Membership Committee, Coordinator of Committee Sign-Ups at national conference
- Attended “Arts Education Day” at the White House, Washington D.C. Advocated for more funding for arts & timely visas for foreign guest artists- appointments with Legislative Assistants for Texas senators, Senator Cornyn and Senator Hutchinson, June 2008
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Becky received tenure at University of Houston and is now an Associate Professor.
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