Laban Institute of Movement Studies -New York City Currently enrolled in the Modular Certification Program Working towards a Certification in Movement Analysis
MFA in Performance & Choreography- Smith College Awarded Teaching Fellowship & Gretchen K Moran Scholarship
BA in Dance- Slippery Rock University "Outstanding Choreographer" Award & Lucy Isaaco Sack Scholarship
International Performances of Original Choreography
GUATEMALA The 44th International Choreographer's Showcase Centro Cultural "Miguel Angel Asturias" in Guatemala City Artecentro in La Antigua
GREECE The 41st International Choreographers Showcase 22nd World Dance Conference in Athens, Greece ITALY The 41st International Choreographers Showcase Festival Estivo dell' Università di Danza & Teatro in Bari, Italy
SCOTLAND 33rd International Choreographers Showcase The Edinburgh Festival Fringe -Roxy House Theater Edinburgh, Scotland SPAIN The 28th International Choreographer's Showcase Mercat de les Flors-Ciutat del Teatre- Barcelona Sala Cuarta Pared - Madrid
*Photo Credit: John Foster
Edinburgh Festival Fringe Reviews
“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.”
-Graham Watts Ballet co.uk Magazine-August 2006 "One stands out for its strong yet tender delivery of the complex relationship of sisters."
-Rebecca Smith Published on EdinburghGuide.com-August 2006 "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."
-Morag Patterson HAIRLINE: fringe Scotland-August 2006 "I particularly enjoyed ‘One’ by Tara Madsen, in which the choreography and music was really united." -Frances Campbell Edinburgh Festival coverage from “Unlimited media” August 2006 *Photo Credit Below: Jim Coleman
"Bodies never lie." -Agnes de Mille
National Performances of Original Choreography
PS 122 -New York City Vittum Theater- Chicago, Illinois Ten Tiny Dances- Bethlehem, Pennsylvania ETC Performance Series- Philadelphia, PA Solar Powered Dance Festival -New York City The Monterey Dance Fest- Monterey, California The Philly Dance Fest- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania The Durham Arts Council -Durham, North Carolina Norristown Dance Fest - Norristown, Pennsylvania Contemporary Dance New Genre- Tulsa, Oklahoma World Dance Alliance Conference- Madison, Wisconsin The Philly Dance Collective - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Community Education Center- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Vision of Sound- A Concert of Live Music and Dance- New York City The Blue Grass State International Dance Festival- Louisville, Kentucky The Dance Sampler presented by Jane Franklin Dance-Washington DC DeSales University-Served as Guest Artist and set "Breaking Ground" & "Excursion" Northampton County Community College- Served as Guest Artist and set "Soaring" University at Buffalo- Choreographic Residency- Served as Guest Artist and set "Effort" Bucknell University-Teaching Residency-Served as Guest Artist and set "Breaking Ground" Montgomery County Community College- Benefit for Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium American College Dance Festival Association at Slippery Rock University & University of Maine William Allen High School Dance Concert- Served as Guest Artist and set "Effort" on 26 dancers
Performance/Touring Experience
*Tania Isaac Dance* Professional Modern Company Company Member Philadelphia, PA (2006-2009)
Performed/Toured 2 Full Evening Length Works "Stuporwoman" & "Standpipe" Company has performed at Bates Dance Festival in Maine, Jacob's Pillow in Massachusetts, Aaron Davis Hall-Harlem Stage in NYC, Dance Place in Washington DC, Suzanne Roberts Theater, Annanberg Theater & The Wilma Theater Downtown Philadelphia to name a few as well as numerous college residencies across the US.
*Photo Credit: Bill H Photos Premiere of "Stuporwoman" Suzanne Roberts Theater Downtown Philadelphia September 2008
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. Her current teaching positions include Montgomery County Community College, JovoDance Productions & Institute of Dance Artistry.
Contemporary Modern Dance Composition Improvisation Intro To Dance Repertory Jazz & Tap
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 also available for master classes and choreographic residencies.
*Photo Credit: Kresimir Juraga
Her teaching credits include DeSales University (2006-2011), DeSales University Summer Dance Intensive (2006-2010), Bucknell University, University at Buffalo, Kutztown University, Cedar Crest College, Northampton Community College, Smith College, Amherst College, American College Dance Festival Association at the University of Maine and Boston University, Dance Masters of America Convention (PA), American Dance Training Camp (VT), JovoDance Productions (PA), Institute of Dance Artistry (PA), En L'air Dance Academy (PA), William Allen High School (PA), Pioneer Valley Ballet (MA), Metropolitan Ballet Academy (PA), Lehigh Valley Dance Alliance (PA), Dance Arts Collaborative (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), Music and Motion Dance Company (PA), Downstage Center Dance (PA) & Babylon School of Dance (PA).
“To dance is to be yourself. Larger, more beautiful, more powerful. This is power on earth and it is yours for the taking.” ~Agnes de Mille
What They Are Saying...
"Tara Madsen is a force to be reckoned with. Her abilities as an outstanding and dynamic performer, choreographer and educator make her a stand-out in a sea of many. I look forward to seeing what she does next, and have the utmost respect for her passion and artistry." Nora Ambrosio Chairperson, Department of Dance Slippery Rock University
“When you think Tara…you think Work.She is driven by her passion for dance.She has created her style to be one that is mind challenging, intense and fierce.She challenges her students to dig deeper to rise above ones self…Truly inspiring to work with.” Scott Jovovich & Liz Tillotson-Jovovich Jovodance Production Directors University of The Arts Dance Faculty
"Tara's positive energy fills the room - and the room next door. She is a pleasure to work with on a shared program and is a true professional."
Melanie Aceto, Choreographer Assistant Professor, University at Buffalo
Photo Credit: Steve Clarke
"I've known Tara for several years and have been enormously impressed with her inventive and prolific talent as a young choreographer and her engaging presence as a solo performer. Tara presented her work in performances offered by Dance-Forms Productions in Barcelona and Madrid, Spain, Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland, the World Dance Conference in Athens, Greece, Festival Estivo in Giovinazzo di Bari, Italy, Centro Cultural Miguel Angel Asturia & La Antigua in Guatemala and ?The Blue Grass State International Festival" in Louisville. Her work was always received with standing ovation. Her professionalism and unique artistic vision make her truly outstanding."
Susana B. Williams Director, Dance-Forms Productions
"Tara is a teacher who inspires, challenges and pushes students to work to their capacity, in her classes and in her inventive choreography. Her absolute passion for dance is contagious!"
Trinette Singleton-Washer Former Principal of Joffrey Ballet, DeSales University Dance Faculty Co Artistic Director of RDT
"I had the pleasure of working with Tara as a master teacher. Her classes were energetic and inspiring. Her choreography is reflective of her unique contemporary style and I will definitely recommend her to other organizations."
Jennifer Langensiepen Lehigh Valley Dance Alliance
"I had the pleasure of working with Tara as an accompanist and I was very impressed. The sheer force of her personality combined with a complete understanding of dance technique, and the deep conviction she brought to her teaching method, inspired her students to work as hard as they could. She was able to motivate them in a way I have never seen before or since. I am confident that she will excel where ever she puts her heart, mind and body."
Tony Silva, Accompanist
Five College Dance Department
"Tara is a very talented dancer and choreographer and her choreography is both powerful and passionate. She engages the audience in a way like no other can."
Er-Dong Hu Associate Professor and Director of Dance Bucknell University
"A dynamic performer, inspiring teacher, and talented choreographer; Tara's passion and energy is contagious. It has been a great honor for me to perform Tara's solo "Flight" in 4 different countries and to collaborate with her on numerous artistic levels. I enjoy every opportunity I have to work with her, both in and out of the studio."
Kate Jordan CityDance2- Dancer, Manager, Guest Choreographer Eureka Dance Festival- Co-Founder
Photo Credit: Steve Clarke
Upcoming Master Classes and Choreographic Residencies
Photo Credit: Kresimir Juraga
Upcoming Performances
Contact Information
You can contact Tara anytime via email at taramadsenrobbins@gmail.com for more information about teaching master classes, private lessons, choreographic residencies, rates, availability and any other information. Curriculum Vitae, Video Portfolio & References available upon Request.
Photo Credit: Bill H Photos
Tara Madsen Robbins is originally from Sussex, New Jersey and currently resides in Philadelphia. She has been an active Performer, Choreographer and Educator here in the Greater Philadelphia region since 2006. She credits her early dance training to Dance Expression Dance Arts in northern New Jersey under artistic direction of Lisa Simko along with other great teachers such as Vicki Fischer-Jenkins, Claudia Cutler, James Robey, Virginia Kennedy & Denise Kay.
Thank you for visiting my website! Tara Madsen Robbins Copyright 2006 All Rights Reserved
