Becky Valls
Becky Valls

<< New

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)

 

  1.     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)

           

  1. 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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