Gary Lindsay Dance Scholarship
Opportunity for young dance artists
Now in its second year, The Gary Lindsay Dance Scholarship provides funding to dancers who wish to pursue a professional career in dance. The selected dancers demonstrate not only an interest and passion for the field, but also a desire to broaden their horizons. The purpose of the scholarship is to provide an opportunity for dancers based on their merit and their financial need. All movers, in all disciplines, are encouraged to apply.
Continuing Gary Lindsay’s Legacy
The scholarship was created with Gary’s generous and caring spirit as the driving force. The purpose of the scholarship is to provide opportunity to a person who wants to pursue a professional career in dance.
Considerations
The committee is looking for someone who has a passion for movement, but has not yet had the opportunity to reach their full potential. The selected dancer will receive the scholarship based on their financial need and merit. The selected dancer must be accepted to the program of their choice before receiving the funds. The scholarship will provide funds for a continued study in the field of dance. Some funding may be available for travel expenses and room and board.
The selected dancer will create a VLOG showing the timeline and any performance or rehearsals during the duration of the scholarship. Archives and documentation should be made for each scholarship.
The selected dancer may perform with MFDP|SF and its affiliated programming, like Dancing in the Park SF and the Emerging Choreographers Forum SF. The dancer should be available to speak about their experience with board members, donors and funders.
To apply
Step 1:
Email Mark Foehringer at mfdpsf@nullgmail.com with your intent to apply for the scholarship by no later than February 1, 2024. After committee review, selected individuals will be invited to complete Step 2 of the application process.
Step 2: By Committee Invitation
Please submit the following:
1. A 3-minute video essay expressing your experience and the plans for your future in dance.
2. A recording of your dance technique. This could be class and/or performance work, whatever shows what makes you uniquely you. If you are submitting class work, the class should be taught by a professional instructor. Please submit a video that is no more than seven minutes. We are not looking for a dance film, so no special cuts or editing, just you and your dancing.
3. A written personal statement. What is your intention for the scholarship? Why are you applying? What does a career in dance mean to you? Is there anything else you would like us to know about you?
Please also include three references letters. These letters should have both email and phone numbers, in the event that the references need to be contacted. For example, your references could be a dance instructor or director, a community leader and an employer. Pick three individuals who know you well and can speak to what you can bring.
Please send materials and questions to mfdpsf@nullgmail.com
Scholarship Committee
Jetta Martin earned her A.B. in Social Studies and African American Studies from Harvard University. Jetta is a dancer, performer, and choreographer who has worked nationally and internationally, and whose choreography has been presented by the Museum of the African Diaspora, Black Choreographer’s Festival, and Mark Foehringer’s Dancing in the Park, among others. Jetta is the recipient of the Cornel West Prize and the Kathryn Ann Huggins Prize, for her research on Katherine Dunham.
Diane Frank, choreographer/performer/dance educator, holds a BFA in Theater and an MA in Dance. After teaching in the Dance Department at University of Maryland for 5 years, she went to NYC to train extensively on scholarship with Merce Cunningham; she was a member of the Merce Cunningham Dance Studio faculty for 8 years. As a member of Douglas Dunn & Dancers, she toured nationally and internationally for 11 years. Her collaborative choreography with Deborah Riley received numerous awards, including 7 NEA Individual Choreographer Fellowships, as well as support from The Jerome Foundation, Meet the Composer, and Silicon Valley Arts. Her works have been produced by Dance Theater Workshop, DanceSpace/St. Marks, in NYC, Dance Place in Washington DC, Riverside Theater in London, and The American Center in Paris.Relocating to the Bay Area, Frank has taught dance at Stanford University since 1988, offering classes in advanced technique, choreography, and repertory, as well as creating new works and inter-departmental projects. Currently, she is adjunct faculty member of San Jose State University’s dance program, teaching choreography and mentoring student works. Frank is the creator/founder of Bay Area Dance Exchange (BADE), a thriving consortium of 13 Bay Area university and college dance programs.
Joseph Copley comes from a performing arts background, having danced professionally with Oakland Ballet, Margaret Jenkins Dance Company, Amy Seiwert’s Imagery, Dance Through Time, Robert Moses’ KIN, Madison Ballet, San Francisco Opera Ballet. Hired as Company Manager at ODC/Dance in 2013, he is now the Associate Director of Artistic Planning. Outside of ODC. Joseph is the President of the Board of Directors for the Isadora Duncan Dance Awards & Dance Through Time, is on the Board of Directors of Western Arts Alliance, sits on the Entertainment Committee of the BatterySF, is a member of the Dance/USA Dance Managers Council, and is on the advisory committee for Mark Foehringer Dance Project. He is a panelist for the San Francisco Arts Commission, is an Alumni of Leadership SF, volunteers for political causes, and produces events at San Francisco street fairs, night clubs, and festivals. During COVID, Joseph has transitioned his skills to become a sought after designer, producer, and host for virtual events in the cultural sector.
MFDP|SF Mission Statement
We bring together artists and audiences, teachers and students, other organizations and communities in creative practices dedicated to opportunity, inclusion and collaboration in dance.
DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion)
MFDP|SF is committed to cultivating an organization that is inclusive in artistic expression and embraces diversity on stage and off.
Gary Lindsay
Gary was an integral part of MFDP|SF for over 21 years. He operated as the organization’s Business, Financial, and Patron Services Manager. His dedication and loyalty to MFDP|SF carried the company throughout the years. Gary was an invaluable contributor to the organization.
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Top, dance photo credit: Matt Haber