Paradise Valley Community College’s Dance Program showcased its incredible talent late last month at the American College Dance Festival's High Desert Region Conference. The regional event brought together dancers from colleges and universities to perform, partake in classes, and receive feedback from nationally recognized artists and professionals in the dance industry.
PVCC's performance of Speaking in Layers and Brushstrokes, choreographed by PVCC Dance Faculty Sonia Valle, received glowing feedback from adjudicators with stunning performances by dancers Victoria Morena Olmos-Tsosie, Amanda Taylor, and Charise Dickerson, set to music by Dobrinka Tabakova. The production was further elevated by Valle's video film elements and Stacey Walston’s lighting design, with Valle also serving as stage manager.
Additionally, Morena Olmos-Tsosie's original piece, "Alchemist," was among 12 works selected from more than 40 adjudicated pieces to perform in the prestigious High Desert Regional Gala Concert, earning a coveted spot at the 2025 National ACDA Gala at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., taking place in May.
“I am thrilled to have been recognized for my choreographic work as well as my way of presenting movement to a live audience,” said Morena Olmos-Tsosie. “The whole experience was liberating as we’re all people coming together for a common passion of expressive arts. To me that means sharing our experiences for humans to recognize the human-ness in each other.
“Being recognized for this festival is one of the highest honors in dance that one can receive,” explained Valle. “This recognition is not only a testament to the resilience of our program but it also exhibits how community college dance programs are able to compete at the same level as university dance programs.”
Valle also shared that Morena Olmos-Tsosie’s solo was described by the adjudicators as “a piece that has poetic storytelling rendered through a deeply articulate voice.’ “This is the second time our dance program has been featured in a regional Gala and is a testament to the program’s quality of instruction and its creative strength,” she said.
PVCC Fine and Performing Arts Chair Dr. Chris Scinto added, “This remarkable accomplishment highlights PVCC’s dedication to fostering creative expression and excellence in dance."
PVCC’s Dance Program offers two outstanding educational pathways for students. One prepares students for a career in dance performance, choreography, teaching, or fitness instruction; the other, an opportunity to diversify one's dance portfolio through technology, kinesiology, performance, and real-world application.
To learn more about PVCC’s Fine and Performing Arts visit the website. To learn more specifically about PVCC’s Dance program, contact Sonia Valle at 602-787-6808 or sonia.valle@paradisevalley.edu.