"To dance is to be out of yourself. Larger, more beautiful, more powerful. This is power, it is glory on earth and it is yours for the taking." -Agnes De Mille
Tara Lynne Madsen, originally from New Jersey, earned her MFA in Performance and Choreography from Smith College where she was awarded a teaching fellowship and the Gretchen K Moran Scholarship. Since moving to Philadelphia she has performed professionally for the touring company Tania Isaac Dance for three years. The company performed nationally at venues such as Bates Dance Festival, Jacob's Pillow, Aaron Davis Hall-Harlem Stage, Dance Place, Suzanne Roberts Theater in Philadelphia as well as numerous colleges throughout the US. She has also worked with independent choreographers such as Jim Coleman, Terese Freedman, Mark Alan Davis, Melissa Chisena & Madeline Cantor. As a freelance choreographer, Tara has presented her original choreography internationally at The 44th International Choreographer's Showcase at Artecentro in La Antigua and Centro Cultural "Miguel Angel Asturias" in Guatemala City, The 41st International Choreographers Showcase at the 22nd World Dance Conference in Athens, Greece and Festival Estivo dell' Università di Danza & Teatro in Bari, Italy, the 33rd International Choreographers Showcase at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland as well as The 28th International Choreographer's Showcase in Barcelona at Mercat de les Flors-Ciutat del Teatre and in Madrid at Sala Cuarta Pared presented by Dance Forms Productions. Nationally, she has presented her work at The Philly Dance Fest (PA), World Dance Alliance (WI) The Blue Grass State International Dance Festival (KY), The Dance Sampler presented by Jane Franklin Dance (VA), PS 122 (NY), the Solar Powered Dance Festival (NY), The Monterey Dance Fest (CA), The Durham Arts Council (NC) The Philly Dance Collective (PA) and the American College Dance Festival Association. She is currently adjunct faculty at DeSales University in Center Valley, PA where she has been teaching for the past three years. Her work "Breaking Ground" (2006) was commissioned by DeSales University in 2007 as well and Bucknell University where she served as Guest Artist in Feb 2009. She received her BA in Dance from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania in 2004 where she was awarded "The Outstanding Choreographer Award" and the Lucy Isaaco Sack Scholarship. While at Slippery Rock, she had the privilege of performing works by Mark Taylor, Bridget Moore, Ursula Payne & Melissa Teodoro. As a young dancer, Tara received many awards and accolades such as a scholarship to the Ririe Woodbury "Move-It Series" Workshop in 2003 (UT), Young Artists Tuition Scholarship to the American Dance Festival in 2002 (NC) and performed at the Jazz Dance Dance World Congress Leo's Choreography Competition in 2000. She credits her early dance training to Dance Expression Dance Arts in New Jersey under artistic direction of Lisa Simko. Tara is passionate about her professional development and is currently enrolled in the Modular Certification Program in Laban Movement Studies in New York City where she is working towards earning her CMA (Certified Movement Analyst).
Photo By Kresimir Juraga
Teaching Experience
Tara practices safe and effective teaching philosophies that encourage and challenge each student to work towards their own potential in a positive learning environment. She has experience teaching all levels and ages in modern, contemporary, jazz, tap, improvisation and choreography. She has been invited as a guest teacher and choreographer to various venues including colleges, universities, conventions, dance camps, conservatories as well as many private studios along the east coast. Tara is available for master classes and choreographic residencies.
She is currently teaching at: DeSales University Dance Department Center Valley, PA Fall Semester 2009 Advanced Modern Beginning Jazz
Institute of Dance Artistry Fort Washington, PA All levels of Modern
Downstage Center Dance Morrisville, PA Beginning Modern & Advanced Modern
En L'air Dance Academy Philadelphia, PA Advanced Modern & Advanced
Upcoming Master Classes, Workshops & Choreographic Residencies at: American Dance Training Camp- Stratton Vermont- July 5th-July 10th ContempraDance- Wayne, PA-July 13th & 14th American Dance Training Camp- Stratton, Vermont- July 19th-25th Dance Arts Collective- July 27th, 28th & 29th Metropolitan Ballet Academy- Abington, PA-July 28th & July 30th American Dance Training Camp- Stratton, Vermont- August 2nd-August 8th En L'air Dance Academy- Philadelphia, PA-August 10th, 12th, 17th, & 19th DeSales University Summer Dance Intensive-Center Valley, PA- August 11th & 13th Delaware Valley Dance Academy-Hatfield, PA- August 11th & 13th Downstage Center Dance- Morrisville, PA-August 18th Dance Expression Dance Arts-Hamburg, NJ-August 21st-August 23rd
Her teaching credits include DeSales University Summer Dance Intensive (2006-2009),Kutztown University, DeSales University, Smith College, Amherst College, American College Dance Festival Association at the University of Maine and Boston University, Dance Masters of America Convention, American Dance Training Camp (VT), Music and Motion Dance Company (PA), Pioneer Valley Ballet (MA), Metropolitan Ballet Academy (PA), Dance Expression Dance Arts (NJ), Monmouth Performing Arts Center (NJ), Accent School of Dance (PA), Knecht Dance Academy (PA), The Dance Factory (NJ), Delaware Valley Dance Academy (PA), Messiah Dance Works Company (PA), Fusion Dance Center (NJ), Kathy Henkel School of Dance (NJ), Toni Schwartz Studio of Dance (PA), En Laire Dance Academy (PA) & Downstage Center Dance Studio (PA).
Edinburgh Festival Fringe Reviews
Edinburgh, Scotland "ONE" Choreography By Tara Madsen Performed by Ariel Cohen and Amy Softic August 2006
“There was also some promising work by several young American dancers: Ariel Cohen and Amy Softic in a duet that investigates changing patterns in the evolving relationship between two sisters, intelligently crafted by recent Smith College graduate, Tara Madsen.” -By Graham Watts-Ballet co.uk Magazine -August 2006 "One stands out for its strong yet tender delivery of the complex relationship of sisters." -By Rebecca Smith-August 2006 - Published on EdinburghGuide.com "The highlight is 'ONE' danced by Ariel Cohen and Amy Softic; a dynamic portrayal of love, tenderness, resentment and competition; all the complexities of sisters. Utterly breathtaking, it’s a night to remember." By Morag Patterson - HAIRLINE: fringe Scotland- August 2006
"I particularly enjoyed ‘One’ by Tara Madsen, in which the choreography and music was really united." -By Frances Campbell -Edinburgh Festival coverage from “Unlimited media” Aug-2006 dance/physical theatre review
Upcoming Performances
Norristown Dance Fest August 14th-15th, 2009 Montgomery County Cultural Center Performing duet "Retreat" with Jackie Kokolus
GYROTONIC®
Tara is a Certified GYROTONIC® instructor at the Balance Point Studio. She works privately with clients in the Mount Airy section of Philadelphia. The exercises which are performed on the handle unit and pulley tower, offer similar benefits found in yoga, dance, gymnastics, swimming and tai chi. The system, which was created and developed by Juliu Horvath, allow clients to simultaneously stretch and strengthen the muscles while paying particular attention to the range of motion in the joints. Tara was introduced to this system in Northampton, Ma while she was in grad school and would strongly recommend everyone to try a session. It is simply remarkable! For more detailed info, pictures and helpful articles please visit the main website by clicking on the image to the right.
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Contact Information
You can contact Tara anytime via email at taramadsendance@yahoo.com for more information about teaching master classes, private lessons, choreographic residencies, rates, availability, GYROTONIC® and any other information. Curriculum Vitae, Video Portfolio & References available upon Request.
Photo By Kresimir Juraga
Thank you for visiting my website! GYROTONIC is a registered trademark of Gyrotonic Sales Corp and is used with their permission. Tara Madsen Copyright 2006 All Rights Reserved
