Brandi Coleman I Dance, MFA
Brandi Coleman is an accomplished alumna of UWM’s Peck School of the Arts and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Division of Dance at Southern Methodist University. Brandi received an Emmy Award in the category of “Outstanding Excellence On Camera/Performer” for her work in the Emmy-Award-winning documentary, Jump Rhythm Jazz Project: Getting There and has toured nationally and internationally with JRJP to Finland, Italy and Canada. As a teaching artist, she has led more than 40 choreographic and teaching residencies at universities across the country and internationally, including a recent choreographic commission for Decidedly Jazz Danceworks in Calgary, Alberta, Canada for their 2022 Family of Jazz concert series.
Educational Journey and Career Path
Brandi’s passion for the arts and her desire to teach in a university setting led her to pursue a degree in dance. When asked what inspired her to pursue her MFA in Dance, she reflected, “I was particularly drawn to the graduate program in the dance department at UWM Peck School of the Arts because, at the time, I was performing and touring with a professional company and the low-residency MFA program was structured so that I could continue my teaching and performing schedule while going to school. Additionally, I had been teaching as an adjunct faculty member at Northwestern University for several years and found that I was drawn to teaching in a post-secondary academic setting. I decided to pursue an MFA in dance because I wanted to teach full time in a university and needed a terminal degree to do so. Beyond meeting the needs for my career journey, attending the program at UWM Peck School of the Arts fed my artistic soul. The program cultivated rich creative, analytical, and theoretical experiences that challenged me to consider a contextual perspective outside of my depth area as a rooted jazz dance artist. I found community and support within my cohort, and I engaged in challenging and enriching dialogue with my professors and classmates through explorations of embodied classwork, choreographic explorations, and theoretical and historical studies.”
Impactful Classes and Faculty
During her time at UWM, Brandi found herself deeply inspired by the faculty and instructors who played pivotal roles in her artistic and personal growth. When asked about a particular professor or class that contributed to her experience and success at UWM, she shared, “I can name a multitude of professors and guest instructors that, in various ways, positively contributed to my experience at Peck School of the Arts, my artistic and creative growth, and eventual post-graduation success. I was deeply impacted by my classes and advising sessions with Professor Simone Ferro. As a professor, she challenged and supported me as a developing artist/choreographer through learning spaces that were rigorous, warm in spirit, and nurturing. As an advisor, she offered advice and guidance beyond just keeping track of my degree progress. She encouraged me to continue writing about dance and I credit her with imparting the skills and the confidence to pursue publication post-graduation. I remain inspired by her research and continued zest for going deep into the art, culture, community, and representation in dance. I want to also mention Professor Elizabeth Johnson. What a force! She was a model for the human-centric, deeply feeling, empathetic artist/teacher/dancer combined with a ferocious tenacity for seeking truth and equity in our art form. Every class with her was filled with a multitude of “A-ha!” moments that I still carry with me today. Additionally, she offered invaluable career advice and support as I embarked on my post-graduation job search.”
Insight and Advice to Students
In reflection of her experience at UWM, Brandi emphasized, “One of the things I appreciated the most about my time at UWM was the range of curricular content, the nurturing and attentive faculty, the depth of knowledge and research focus of the faculty, along with the diversity of experience and knowledge in my cohort of fellow students. The majority of us in my cohort were working professionals in the field, bringing years of performing, teaching, and creative experience in a multitude of dance perspectives to each class discussion. I learned so much from engaging in discussion and embodied dialogue with my classmates which provided contextual breadth for the work I pursued in my depth area. Additionally, I felt like I left UWM with a solid foundation of knowledge for pursuing work in my area of interest. During the program and especially afterwards, my professors shared detailed advice on applying for jobs, curating my portfolio, as well as how to navigate job interviews, on-site campus visits, follow-up conversations, along with many of the cultural practices that come along with looking for work in higher education. I was deeply grateful for the individual attention in this way. Attending the graduate program in dance at the Peck School of the Arts – the faculty, my fellow students, the experiences – was one of the most enriching and soul-filling times of my life and it has played a vital and essential role in my post-graduation career and life journey. I am forever grateful for the lifelong friends I met at UWM and the relationships with faculty that I still maintain today.”
Achievements and Contributions
Since graduating from UWM, Brandi has garnered recognition for her creative work. She received a choreographic commission for Decidedly Jazz Danceworks in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and her choreography has been presented at prestigious venues such as the Winspear Opera House in Dallas, TX, and the Rhythmically Speaking performance series in Minneapolis, MN. Brandi has also published chapters in esteemed books and was nominated for a Big Easy Award in New Orleans.
Connect with Brandi
To learn more about Brandi Coleman and her work, you can visit her biography on the SMU Meadows School of the Arts website.