Denise Damon Wade has been a professional performer in both the United States and abroad.  She spent over eight years in New York City, working with Igal Perry, performing with the Peridance Ensemble, and serving as Assistant Director of Peridance, NYC.  Upon the invitation of Artistic Director Ursula Bischoff-Mussaka, she moved to Stuttgart, Germany for three years to perform with the TELOS Tanz Theatre and teach for the Telos-Buhne.  While in Europe she worked with many diverse choreographers including: Amiel Malale, Erik Franklin, Nadir Benbeleaid, Alexander Roy, Jochen Heckmann, Drago Boldin and Bruno Amilhastre.  Since returning to the United States, she has performed with The Fairfax Ballet and Arlington Dance Theatre and for many independent choreographers.   

Professor Wade’s choreography has been presented through American College Dance Festival, Dance Place, Fairfax Ballet, Kilmarnock Center for the Arts, Palomar Hotel, TELOS Tanz Theatre,  Jamestown 2007, and the Virginia Shakespeare Festival.  She has taught modern, ballet, jazz, ballroom and liturgical dance in both the United States and Europe including classes and workshops at Longwood University, Old Dominion University, Radford University, TELOS Tanz Theatre, Peridance, New York City Park Service, the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia Adult Christian Formation Conference (Shrinemont), Williamsburg Summer Music Camp, Russell School of Ballet and other studios throughout Northern Virginia.  Wade received her MFA in Dance from the University of Michigan and is an Associate Professor of Dance at the College of William and Mary.

Joan Gavaler has had an extensive career as a choreographer, performer and teacher, creating over 25 dance works including choreography for The Moving Arts Company, Gavaler Danceworks, Steve’s House Dance Collective, and Gravity Optional Dance Company. Her work has been presented by a variety of organizations including Alliance for Dance and Movement Arts, American College Dance Festival, American Dance Guild, Arts Alive, Artspace Gallery, Beach Blanket Beledi, Canton Ballet, Dance Place, Davis Discovery Center, First Night of Williamsburg, Kilmarnock Center for the Arts, International Congress of the F. M. Alexander Technique, International Dance Festival-NYC, Muscarelle Museum, National Dance Association, Palomar Hotel, Shawnee Nation URB, OhioDance, Old Dominion University, Williamsburg Area Chamber of Commerce, Jamestown 2007, and American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD). Her projects have been supported by grants and matching funds from the Columbus Community Arts Fund, Greater Columbus Arts Council, Ohio Joint Program in the Arts and Humanities, National Endowment for the Humanities, Westinghouse Foundation, Virginia Museum of Fine Art, and the College of William and Mary.

Professor Gavaler has taught dance technique, improvisation, composition, and Alexander Technique workshops through the Alliance for Dance and Movement Arts, Beach Blanket Beledi, Caravan East, Davis Discovery Center, Days of Creation Arts for Kids, Dickinson College, George Mason University, Iona College, James Madison University, James River Elementary School, Longwood University, The Moving Arts Company, Muhlenberg College, Ohio State University, Old Dominion University, Radford University, York County School of the Arts, and the American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.  In addition to her dance and Alexander courses at the College of William and Mary, she regularly serves as a movement advisor/choreographer for theatre productions.  Professor Gavaler is a recipient of the William and Mary 2002 Alumni Fellowship Award for excellence in teaching and was the Distinguished Guest Artist at the 2005 Southern District AAHPERD convention.  She received her M.A. in Dance from the Ohio State University and is an ATI-certified Alexander Technique teacher.  She is a Professor of Dance at the College of William and Mary.