Dance Professor D. Chase Angier pursues new interdisciplinary directions for arts education; will present research at a2ru October conference

Alfred University Professor of Dance D. Chase Angier, School of Art & Design + Performing Arts, will present research at the upcoming a2ru Conference in Detroit, building on a 14-year collaboration with Scenographer Marketa Fantova and Multimedia Artist Evelyn Leblanc-Roberge, and using their Letter to the World as a case study.

Angier has been working with Dr. Veronica Stanich, research program manager for the Alliance for the Arts in Research Universities (a2ru), examining current research and reviewing the role of interdisciplinary arts in higher education. Her focus has been on new interdisciplinary performing arts majors being launched at Alfred University, effective for the 2025-26 academic year.

The majors in music-performance, music-sound studies, theatre, performance design and technology, and dance will be housed in the Performing Arts Division at Alfred University.

Angier's collaboration with Stanich has provided opportunities for both: Stanich has been gaining a deeper understanding of AU's interdisciplinary performing arts majors, and Angier has been learning about the resources and support available through a2ru.

A2ru is a partnership of colleges and universities committed to transforming higher education to ensure the greatest possible institutional support for arts-integrative research, curricula, programs and creative practice between the arts, sciences, and other disciplines.

The organization will host her 2025 conference in October, at which Angier will present "Creative Futures: Driving Interdisciplinary Innovation through the Arts.

She will be joined by Matias Homar, visiting professor of Music at Alfred University, who will also present his recent research. Together, both AU faculty members aim to share valuable insights on building interdisciplinary, time-based, innovative artistic practices.