Dance, dance revolution

The UW's recent decision to stop accepting dance majors has drawn national attention, Paul Gerard reports. School of Education officials cite low enrollment as the main reason for the move, though personality conflicts between faculty members have also been problematic. "There is a strong interest in dance," acknowledges School of Education Dean John Palmer, "but very few students are willing to have a formal major. That's reflective of the internal problems, which you don't get caught up in unless you're a major." But graduate students Merlynn Kimmel and Karen McShane-Hellenbrand have staged a rally opposing the decision, Gerard reports. The UW's Dance Program enjoys a renaissance during the 1990s under the leadership of Sally Banes, attracting acclaimed choreographer Li Chiao-Ping to the faculty. McShane-Hellenbrand is now a faculty associate for the UW Dance Program. Kimmel is an instructor at Grafton's North Shore Academy of the Arts.