Juilliard has appointed Melissa Toogood, a Bessie-winning dancer and former member of the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, as the new dean and director of its Dance Division. Toogood is known for her expertise in both classical and experimental movement traditions. Her appointment is expected to bring fresh inspiration to Juilliard’s dance program.
Toogood will work closely with Mario Alberto Zambrano, who was recently promoted to associate dean and director of the Dance Division. Zambrano expressed his enthusiasm about collaborating with Toogood, stating, “She demonstrates a vibrant enthusiasm for educating the next generation of artists.” Together, they aim to push artistic boundaries at Juilliard by encouraging students to explore various genres and disciplines.
Zambrano also highlighted Toogood’s interdisciplinary approach: “Melissa’s lifelong career as a Cunningham dancer and interdisciplinary artist is exciting for the division,” he said. He added that he looks forward to working alongside her to foster excellence and community within the division.
The upcoming Juilliard Dance season will feature several events showcasing this new leadership vision. The Fall Festival will be directed by Jamar Roberts, while the winter showcase, New Dances, will include original choreography from Gianna Reisen, Takehiro Ueyama, My’Kal Stromile, and Studio Wayne McGregor.
In March, Spring Dances will highlight modern dance classics such as Martha Graham’s Diversion of Angels and Alvin Ailey’s Night Creature. José Limón’s Psalm will also be featured along with Merce Cunningham’s Pond Way. The latter performance aligns with Toogood’s background in Cunningham’s techniques.
Kaitlyn Zafonte from Juilliard shared excitement about these developments: “All of Juilliard is thrilled to create, collaborate, and learn alongside Toogood.”
Other notable appointments include Carla Körbes as ballet chair; Jamar Roberts joining as Distinguished Visiting Faculty; Bobbi Jene Smith rejoining the faculty; and Karen Gayle teaching Horton technique.
