Virginia

Edwards

Choreographer

Dancer

Scholar

ARTIST

Electronic Press Kit

ABOUT THE ARTIST Virginia Edwards, an up-and-coming dance artist and researcher in the Triangle, cre-ates work that is exciting, detailed, off-the-wall, and always meaningful. Whether she is researching narratives of dance and so-cial justice, or developing work for the con-cert stage or screen, Ms. Edwards’ primary concern is the use of movement to address important issues, foster human connection, and build community. A native of Lenoir in the mountains of west-ern North Carolina, Virginia began studying ballet, tap, jazz, and other forms of dance at an early age. During high school, she attended the Ann Freeman Dance Academy in Hickory, North Carolina, founded by for-

mer Dance Masters of America President, Mrs. Ann Freeman. Ms. Edwards is a re-cent honors graduate of Meredith College, with her BA in Dance Studies. During her time in the Meredith College Dance Program, Virginia studied under several re-nowned local artists including Alyson Colwell-Waber, Carol Finley, Eleanor Smith, Dr. Sherry Shapiro, Renay Aumiller, Autumn Mist Belk, and Michelle Pearson. Virginia has also had experience with other talented artists including Ronald West, L.D. Bur-ris, and Kristin Sudeikis. Since her commencement in May, 2014, Ms. Edwards has crafted several works and held lectures on her senior thesis research in dance as so-cial activism throughout the Raleigh area. Virginia is currently working on her first large-scale stage work, a community-based dance project entitled Pink for the People to be premiered at Meredith College later this year. This collaborative performance endeavor, conceived and directed by Edwards, will combine movement, dance, and spoken word to create a space for mutual understanding and healing among those affected by breast cancer, both dancers and non-dancers alike. This current project is indicative of Ms. Edward’s mission as an artist: “To make the world…even just out-side your door…a better, kinder, more equal place through dance.”

FOR GUIL (2012)

An intimate portrait of friendship, compassion, and unconditional love through adversity, Edwards created this piece—her first work for the Meredith College stage—in honor of a very dear

Dancer: Angel Jackson in For Guil Photo Credit: Tony Battista

I AM THE CIRCLE, THE CIRCLE IS ME (2013)

This exciting pure-movement solo has become Edwards’ most sought after work. Set to guitarist Erik Mongrain’s Air Tap!, this energetic solo draws its in-spiration from the embodi-ment of the spherical, the never-ceasing spiral of en-ergy throughout the body...the unbroken circle of life force.

GROWING UP/GROWING OLD (2014)

Inspired by the creative process of Liz Lerman, Edwards constructs this dance as a narrative of individual stories. This piece aims to further understand the inevitability of time through the in-terplay between the aging of parents and growth of children into their own adulthoods.

PINK FOR THE PEOPLE (2014)

This community-based dance project is the largest artistic en-deavor Edwards has undertaken so far. This work, which will cul-minate in an evening-length con-cert later this year, brings togeth-er both dancers and non-dancers throughout the Raleigh, NC area to create dances cele-brating the victims and survivors of breast cancer.

Dancers hard at work preparing a piece

for the Pink for the People concert to be

debuted later this year.

Photo Credit: Virginia Edwards

HERSTORY (2014)

This satirical piece explores how the story of American history might have read if prominent male figures such as Washing-ton, Lincoln, or MLK Jr. were not men, but in fact women.

THE CAKE IS A LIE (2014)

Indulging her inner-gamer nerd, Edwards takes a break from her normally philosophical work to create a comical, theatrical work based on the hit video game Portal.

Press Acclaim...

“What Edwards has created in Herstory is a provocative, intriguing

look at gender roles through the eyes of a historical fiction. One is

left to ponder the role of women in the making of history, and the

role of the dancer in the telling of a tale”

Julia Bradford, The News and Observer—January 6, 2014

“The Cake is a Lie is a must see for dance enthusiasts and gamers

alike. Visually stunning, witty, and carefully timed, this piece sends

dancers sailing through the air across the stage and back again in a

constantly moving simulation of game play.”

Matthew Jones, The Raleigh Telegram—July 21, 2014

“Virginia Edwards is a newcomer to watch in the Triangle area

dance scene! Her passion for arts in the community is nothing

short of inspiring.”

Julia Bradford, The News and Observer—September 30, 2014

Master Classes

~1.5 Hours

~Modern, Improvisation, and Somatics

~Flat fee

~See contact information for booking

Research Lectures on Dance as Social Activism

Special classes for community centers, nursing homes, and shelters.

For more information please contact the artist at:

Virginia Edwards

P.O. Box 357

Raleigh, NC 27607

828-493-4080 — edwardsv@outlook.com —vedancearts.com