Dance professor explores identity through movement thanks in part to UWM research grant
Maria Gillespie (Professor, Dance; Director, Dance Graduate Program) was recently awarded the 2024-25 UWM Advancing Research Creativity (ARC) Grant to help fund her yearlong choreographic research project.
Under the working title “Wild Tongue: Translating Embodied Memory in the Language of Dance,” Gillespie will work with long-time collaborators Kevin Williamson and Nguyên Nguyên to explore a variety of identities through dance. Part of this exploration will root in Gillespie’s Chicana ethnicity and queer performance methodologies.
“In ‘Wild Tongue,’ we’re looking at how our different stories, identities, histories, and languages are traced in scripts and then translated through our dancing,” said Gillespie.
Gillespie’s relationship with Williamson and Nguyên began in 2003 in Los Angeles and has resulted in two decades of friendship and collaboration.
“The three of us have this really beautiful reciprocity and spirit of shared authorship and trust,” she said. “We rely on each other to amplify those different threads of our practices.”
With Gillespie now located in Milwaukee, some of the funding from this grant will allow her to travel to Los Angeles and for Williamson and Nguyên to come to Milwaukee, ensuring that they have time to work in person.
Not only do the choreographers benefit from this, but PSOA dance students get the opportunity to work with Williamson and Nguyên when they visit. They offer students a unique pedagogical approach thanks to their backgrounds and identities.
The grant also provides funding for larger-scale production than some of the trio’s past works.
“This grant gives me the opportunity to take the performances that we’ve done over the past two years and really expand it into a new work,” said Gillespie. “But on a scale that’s larger than the production I would have been able to do on my own.”
Gillespie hopes to bring “Wild Tongue” to the Midwest, Los Angeles, and beyond, thanks to funding from the grant.
This project explores the translation of movement, language, and memory and Gillespie’s view of “how dancing bodies are rebellious archives.”
“Every gesture that we make as humans impacts our entire physicality,” said Gillespie. “The dance training that I undergo, that I participate in, shapes how I move and how I express myself.”
Guitar students and alumni win major festivals throughout North America
During the summer of 2024, UW-Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts guitar students and alumni took center stage at a variety of festivals throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Everywhere the musicians went, they found great success and brought accolades back to Milwaukee.
Alum takes top prize of the biggest international guitar competition
Leonela Alejandro (BFA 2020, Music) took first prize at the Guitar Foundation of America, widely considered the biggest international guitar competition.
Leonela Alejandro
Alejandro first competed in the festival’s youth division in 2017 and 2018. This past June in Fullerton, California, she performed a mix of required and chosen repertoire across three rounds of competition, winning the Rose Augustine Grand Prize.
Alejandro says that sharing the stage with other guitarists she finds inspirational was as important an achievement as winning the competition.
“Even just getting to the final round felt insane,” said Alejandro. “I was playing alongside three other musicians who I admire so much, and I have so much respect for… I felt like I had already won by just getting to finals and being on that stage.”
Alejandro received a cash prize and will embark on a GFA-sponsored international concert tour next year. The tour currently plans to host 50 concerts in North America and beyond.
“[The tour] is such an incredible opportunity,” said Alejandro. “My favorite part of [guitar] is traveling to new places, meeting new people, making new connections through guitar and those not linked to guitar… that’s very exciting to me.”
Master’s student wins first prize in Mexico
Meanwhile, at Festival Internacional de Guitarra de Mexico, second-year master’s student Alberto Daniel Quintanilla walked away with first prize.
Alberto Daniel Quintanilla
Quintanilla performed pieces from primarily South American composers that he had previously worked on with Professor Rene Izquierdo, Director of the Classical Guitar Program at PSOA, with whom he credits much of his success.
“Studying with Professor Izquierdo has been a great opportunity to refine and polish musical and technical aspects,” said Quintallia. “In my opinion, Rene is one of the greatest guitar teachers in the world. His teaching was very important for getting this prize.”
Festival Internacional de Guitarra de Mexico is one of the most prestigious guitar competitions in Mexico. According to Quintanilla, performing at the festival fulfilled a childhood dream. “This competition is one of the most prestigious in Mexico,” said Quintanilla. “I am very proud of my growth at UWM and think our department is doing a very nice job at recent festivals.”
Milwaukee guitarists make a mark in Chicago
Quintanilla and Alejandro achieved further success at this year’s Chicago Guitar Festival, respectively winning first and second prizes in the open division.
Chandler Dillingham
Taking home third prize was Chandler Dillingham, who performed three classical pieces he hand-selected. Dillingham said the real “award” was the ability to make connections with artists and fellow attendees.
“To be able to share the stage with other members of my guitar program sparks intense feelings of pride,” said Dillingham. “I am happy to be a part of this group of talented musicians in Milwaukee, and I am glad that it can be recognized in a festival such as this one.”
Dillingham credited Professor Izquierdo as a source of inspiration who played an integral role in his guitar development.
“René tailors his guidance to each student’s personal needs, ensuring that no two students play the same way or feel that they are merely imitating someone else,” said Dillingham. “This adaptability in his teaching style helps his students discover the tools to thrive professionally and express their perspectives through music.” BFA student Annika Nelson was awarded fourth prize in the competition’s collegiate division.
A legacy of success
At the Domaine Forget Academy Guitar Competition, Master of Music student Kyle Khembunjong brought another first prize back to PSOA. This two-week program invites advanced guitar and lute players to Quebec, Canada, to take part in lessons and masterclasses. This culminates with a competition.
Khembunjong got to assemble a repertoire of music to perform for the contest. He was awarded a cash prize and a full scholarship for the 2025 Domaine Forget program.
Professor Izquierdo, who has mentored each of these musicians, shares his pride and enthusiasm for the long list of successes that have come recently from UWM’s esteemed guitar program.
“Since 2012, over 100 of our students have excelled in competitions, as well as secured professional opportunities in our field,” said Izquierdo.
“This summer has been a continuation of our success. As their teacher, my focus is to nurture a long-term commitment and connection to music and the guitar. I strive for my students to have a balanced, fulfilling experience and to create beautiful moments wherever they go.”
Story by Jason McCullum ’25
The New York Times quotes theatre alum in feature on American Players Theatre
In an article for The New York Times, writer Elisabeth Vincentelli called American Players Theater an “unexpected bright spot” in theatre. To help illustrate her point, she quoted prolific actor Chiké Johnson (BFA 2000, Theatre), who reflected on his experience performing in the rain to fully captivated audiences. The Department of Theatre has strong ties to A.P.T., with many alumni holding roles across various aspects of theatre, including actors, vocal coaches, costume designers, stage managers, lighting designers, and more. The department also brings current students to attend productions and tours for theatre students.
Art & Design student earns international sculpture award
MFA student Mich Dillon has been named a recipient of the International Sculpture Center 2024 Outstanding Student Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture Award for the piece Supporting Dreams, 2023. The award recognizes young sculptors as well as their faculty sponsors and institutions. According to Glenn Williams (Associate Professor and Area Head, Sculpture), who served as Dillon’s faculty sponsor, Dillon was one of thirteen recipients out of nearly 200 nominees across 98 schools.
Music alum’s recording studio featured in Shepherd Express
Alum Jacob McDonald (BFA 2013, Music: Guitar) was recently interviewed by Shepherd Express about his Walker’s Point recording studio, Density Studios.
As the owner and full-time engineer at Density, McDonald has utilized his more than 20 years of audio experience to help artists achieve their musical goals through professional audio services and music lessons. Additionally, McDonald sets himself apart from other studios by offering songwriting sessions, giving artists a space to turn a melody in their head into a fully produced and mastered song.
Recent Art & Design alum opens solo exhibition in Walker’s Point
Emmanuel Guerra (MFA 2024, Art) recently opened his Featured Member Exhibition at Walker’s Point Center for the Arts. Guerra’s exhibition is described as “a culmination of our dreams, longings, memories, and shared experiences.” Like all their art, this exhibition is driven by a desire to honor Guerra’s family and ancestors. The exhibition opened on July 19 and runs through September 28.
Outside of Guerra’s exhibition and art practice, he is currently an Artist Services Coordinator with Lynden Sculpture Gardens.
Film artist and UWM alum Steve Wetzel assumes role as Interim Head of School
The UW-Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts (PSOA) begins the 2024-2025 academic year with a new leader. Associate Professor Steve Wetzel officially assumed the role of Interim Head of School for PSOA on July 1, 2024.
A respected educator and accomplished artist, Steve Wetzel has a notable portfolio of more than a dozen experimental and observational documentaries and has published two short volumes of essays with the Green Gallery Press. His work explores ethnography, the social construction of reality, and the portrayal of everyday life, earning him admiration within the academic community.
Wetzel has been an integral part of the Peck School of the Arts community since his arrival to UWM in 1998.
During his tenure, Wetzel has held various key positions including Department Chair (Film, Video, Animation & New Genres), Director of Undergraduate Studies, and most recently, Director of Academic Affairs for the Peck School of the Arts. Additionally, he served as PSOA’s Interim Associate Dean during the 2022-2023 academic year.
Wetzel steps into the school’s top leadership role during a growth period marked by strong enrollments and vibrant community partnerships across its five departments: Art & Design; Dance; Film, Video, Animation & New Genres; Music; and Theatre.
Since July of 2023, the Peck School of the Arts is aligned with the School of Architecture & Urban Planning under the College of the Arts & Architecture, which formed as part of UWM’s 2030 Action Plan.
Wetzel’s leadership is characterized by his dedication to the arts and his enthusiasm for fostering the talents of UWM’s students and faculty. His appointment signals forward progress and sustained momentum for the school amidst ongoing changes and challenges in the higher education landscape.
Wetzel earned an MFA in painting from the University of Chicago in 1998 and an MFA in Film and Video from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2000.
UWM ranks in list of top 30 film schools by MovieMaker magazine
MovieMaker magazine has named UW-Milwaukee a top destination to study film in its list of “30 Best Films Schools in U.S. and Canada in 2024.” The publication made note of the Department of Film, Video, Animation & New Genres as a place where students gain a “comprehensive study in all aspects of film and media production, from ideation and pre-production to production and post.” This is the second consecutive year that UWM has ranked among MovieMaker’s list.
Creative research and collaboration key for upcoming MFA Dance concert
MFA Dance students get the opportunity to showcase their original, experimental choreography at UpStart 2024, an evening of diverse work from eight different students.
The work showcased at UpStart is rooted in thoughtful creative research and strong collaboration between UWM students, alumni, and the Milwaukee community. These important facets allow choreographers to pose a multitude of questions and themes to those who attend.
The dance community at UWM encourages collaborative efforts. One student who has benefited from this in preparation for UpStart is Meg Gourley, whose work explores time and relationships.
Gourley describes collaboration as an important way to build a dance, taking in feedback from her dancers to let them perceive the work in their unique way while staying true to Gourley’s vision.
“I like to build material, especially partnering work, in collaboration,” said Gourley. “I will often give a few jumping-off points, see where a group goes with an idea, and then come back to add on more.”
The students presenting work also took on creative research, with many crediting personal experiences as a driver for shaping their dance.
Among them is Juan Enrique Roque Irizarry Jr., who will be presenting a piece at UpStart exploring the “physical manifestation” of his life with bipolar disorder.
“I investigate through an interdisciplinary lens, focusing on dance pedagogy, my experiences, psychopathology, anthropology, sociology, LGBTQIA+, and BIPOC Studies,” said Irizarry Jr.
The Milwaukee community offers a diverse array of dancers, something that will be on display at UpStart. Samuel Hanson noticed this during the preparations for his piece, crediting the “unique mix of human beings” that he cast as instrumental in producing quality work.
“My dancers bring a very eclectic set of skills to the task of improvising together,” said Hanson. “I hope that the audience gets to be as surprised by how these different voices come together as I have been.”
For more information and tickets for UpStart, visit the PSOA Event Calendar.
Story by Jason McCullum ’25
Recent vocal performance grad places second at national singing competition
Competing against more than 1,000 students in the Upper Post High School Classical Treble category, Haverkorn was ranked second in the nation for her age division of 21 to 25 and received a cash prize. The National Student Auditions competition offers students constructive, professional feedback on their auditions seeking to provide students the opportunity to develop skills that will transfer to their professional performing careers.
Frank Hoeffler named Artist of the Year 2024 by ArtTour International
Frank Hoeffler (BA 2004, Art) was recognized as one of ArtTour International’s Top 60 International Master Artists. An untitled abstract piece by Hoeffler is featured on the cover of the publication. Hoeffler’s versatile style, ranging from realism to abstraction, has been showcased in numerous national and international juried shows, and has graced the NASDAQ billboard in Times Square. This is the third consecutive year Hoeffler has been recognized by ArtTour International.
Recent DVC alum wins national Silver ADDY award by the American Advertising Federation
In May, UWM celebrated its latest group of graduates moving on from academia and into their next chapter. For some graduates, it has not taken long to receive recognition that provides a valuable boost to the start of their professional careers.
For the ADDYs, Dominguez submitted her brand campaign entitled Endiablada, or “devilish” in Spanish. Designed in ART 329 under the instruction of Robert Grame (Associate Professor and Co-Area Head, Design & Visual Communication), Endiablada is a craft soda brand packaged in glass bottles, taking inspiration from the popular Jones Soda Co.
Dominguez’s designs honor her Hispanic culture as well as the community of Milwaukee.
“This was an exploration of not only showcasing my illustrative approach but also exploring for the first time how I can fit that into a package design,” said Dominguez.
Gisselle Dominguez won a Silver ADDY Award in Student Packaging at the American Advertising Federation’s national competition. | Submitted photo
Each glass bottle has one of four heroic figures that represent strong aspects of Dominguez’s Hispanic heritage: the fighter representing resiliency, the singer capturing artistic expression, the gentleman signifying dignity, and the dancer celebrating the joy of movement and culture.
“The figures really captured the devilish resilience and determination I wanted to convey,” said Dominguez. “As a first-generation American, and being surrounded by Hispanic pop culture, these characters remind me of the major aspects of life I learned from inspirational figures growing up. I’m sure others can relate to this as well when they think of the figures they looked up to.”
Throughout her time at UWM, Dominguez pursued a steady stream of work. Whether that was interning at advertising firms such as Bader Rutter and Hoffman York or designing cans for Panther Pale Ale, Dominguez is always seeking opportunities to improve her craft and showcase her work.
Dominguez credits her diverse array of work experience as giving her confidence to enter the ADDYs. Additionally, she thanks her mentors for being sources of inspiration.
“If I didn’t have professors like Robert Grame or people at work cheering me on, I would not have had the confidence to sign up for this,” said Dominguez. “To see it slowly evolve from a regional award to a national ADDY, that’s been a huge testament.”
Dominguez, now working with ad agency BVK as a graphic design intern, uses the recognition she has received as a reminder to stay confident in her future as a designer.
“Overall, this is a huge testament to my abilities to keep growing my skills, seeing what other areas of advertising I can venture into,” said Dominguez. “It’s a validating testament that I can actually be in this industry. I can go into advertising, I can go into marketing as an artist and designer.”
Story by Jason McCullum ’25
Dawn Springer featured on Radio Milwaukee’s Uniquely Milwaukee podcast
Dawn Springer (Teaching Faculty I, Dance) was recently featured by Radio Milwaukee for her exploration of ballet traditions and gender norms through her project, “Step of Two.”
Springer’s choreography, which featured former Milwaukee Ballet dancers Itzel Hernandez and Anna Hidalgo, showcases two females performing a deconstructed version of the classical ballet piece Pas de Deux. She was interviewed on an episode of Radio Milwaukee’s podcast “Uniquely Milwaukee.”
Springer has created dances for acclaimed artists such as Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) and Aaron Dessner (The National) and has been published by numerous publications, most recently in the “Perspectives on American Dance: The New Millennium” anthology through the University Press of Florida.
Read more about Springer’s recent work and listen to the full podcast on Radio Milwaukee.
Reporting by Jason McCullum ’25
Alum and Chancellor’s Graduate Student Award recipient opens solo exhibition
Milwaukee artist and PSOA alum Adam Stoner (MFA 2019, Art) recently opened his month-long solo exhibition at Grove Gallery in Milwaukee. Running through July 27, this collection of new and recent works from Stoner draws on the forms of Romanesque cathedrals and mythical iconography. The works explore pilgrimage paths, dreamlike architecture, Roman cityscapes, and more.
During his time at UWM, Stoner received the Chancellor’s Graduate Student Award.
Walker’s Point Center of the Arts announces immersive exhibition by Jovanny Hernandez Caballero
Walker’s Point Center of the Arts announced Jovanny Hernandez Caballero’s (BFA 2023, Art) Featured Member Exhibition: VE’E (the Mixtec word for home), which is a recently completed 7-year project where he documented his journey visiting Oaxaca, Mexico — the birthplace of his parents. Harnessing the power of analog photography, Jovanny unveils a vivid archive of his indigenous community. He employs a transformative approach of reverse anthropology, meticulously reconstructing a history that has been tragically overlooked, lost in the annals of time, and erased from collective memory.
Jovanny, a distinguished photographer and community artist based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, invites you to embark on a journey through cultural heritage and identity. As a first-generation American and descendant of the Mixtecs, an indigenous group from Oaxaca, Jovanny’s work is a testament to his roots and the vibrant communities that have shaped him. His work centers around the themes of cultural heritage and identity.
