Immersion & Transformation: Ron Connor ’29 Spends the Summer at Bates Dance Festival
Written by Ron Connor ’29
Students majoring in Dance at Converse benefit from an inclusive, flexible environment to develop their artistic, physical, and intellectual capabilities in the field of dance. Our programs prepare passionate young artists for productive careers in the arts, guiding students as they gain professional experience through their choice of internship, faculty-mentored projects, and other opportunities. Sophomore Dance major Ron Connor ’29 took her curiosity and skills to Maine this summer for an immersive learning experience. Here is her story.
This past August, I had the privilege of attending Bates Dance Festival in Lewiston, Maine. Bates has two different summer programs, their Young Dancers Intensive and their Professional Training Program, or PTP, which is the one I attended. PTP is a three-week program with options to come to one, two, or all three weeks. They offer multiple courses that range from high-level ballet, to Afro-fusion, to basic tap and more. They welcome any dancers who are ages 18 and up. This past summer was the 35th year of the festival.
I asked Professor Carrie Preus for help in working on my submission for the festival. She helped me prepare the movements I would record and coached me through the application process. When it finally came time to apply, we had worked together for a couple of months before the application was submitted in December of 2025.
“[Professor Carrie Preus] helped me prepare the movements I would record, and coached me through the application process.”
Ron Connor ’29
In January 2026, I was informed of my acceptance to the festival. To start preparing for it, I created a new regulated routine that would help me prepare for the physical and creative demands of dancing 8-9 hours a day. I focused on creating new dances and finding the limits of my current capacity. I incorporated the foundational technique work and discipline from our classes in the spring semester as well. By the time July came, I felt physically and mentally prepared.
Finding New Passions in Dance
Bates allows dancers to choose two consistent morning classes and one weekly-changing afternoon class, with different guest artists and teachers leading each week. The two recurring classes I chose were Pilates with Tina Mullone and Improv with Christina Robson.
Pilates met early each morning and helped me to prepare myself for the day while also teaching me how to build a structured warm-up or class for myself and others. I left that class knowing far more about how to prepare one’s body in a way that creates room for growth while building on existing strengths.
Improv was the biggest leap I took while at Bates. I had not had much experience with dance improv, but it was the greatest experience I had that summer. The atmosphere of the class was inviting and supportive of all who were part of it. We explored a wide variety of guided exercises and prompts to use in the future. Improv has a stereotype of being daunting, and many avoid it rather than accepting the challenge and pushing past comfort zones. I have found that it is a form of movement that resonates with me, and I want to promote it for everyone.
Leveling Up in Training
Afternoon classes were the equivalent of masterclasses with professionals from around the country. The first week, I attended Alonzo King Lines Repertoire with Caroline Rocher Barnes, where we learned repertoire from the Alonzo King company. This company does not record their works and very rarely teaches them outside of their own company. It pushed me to take everything I had learned from my ballet and contemporary training and elevate it to a new level.
The second week, I took Making Work with Miguel Gutierrez. The class focused on finding our own individual strengths and weaknesses in choreographing and it helped us develop tools to both strengthen and improve our own. It was eye-opening to hear the perspectives of other choreographers.
In the third and final week, I had the honor of taking Enter the Marthaverse with Jesse Factor. It was there that we took a very intense class that focused on Martha Graham technique. It also had an element of the dance style voguing. Students had the opportunity to perform with Jesse Factor in his drag show, the Metamarthasis, that was performed for the entire festival at the end of the program. He combined the elements of Martha Graham technique with voguing to create a unique performance that was the highlight of the week.
New Opportunities to Learn
Beyond the classes, Bates had a range of events. Every week held performances that were free for those participating in the program. Some were world premieres of new pieces and some were traveling companies performing works in progress. They also held weekly improv jam sessions for anyone to drop in and move. It was incredible to see so many artists come together and create unique movements in the moment.
Different faculty members and visiting faculty hosted workshops, both as extensions of their core class and on other topics they were passionate about. The range of topics was broad, from partnering techniques to injury prevention. I went to as many as possible to truly expand my learning.
A Transformational Impact
The time I spent at Bates was transformative. I got to experience dance at the next level. This experience gave me a glimpse into life beyond collegiate dance and brought me into the world of professional dance. I was able to learn from people renowned in their field, in a setting that removed barriers and allowed one-on-one instruction and collaboration. It was a preview of different routes I can take post-graduation.
“I was able to learn from people renowned in their field, in a setting that removed barriers and allowed one-on-one instruction and collaboration.”
Ron Connor ’29
Bates opened my eyes to different approaches to body mindfulness, teaching, choreography, and so much more. It has helped me hone what I want to bring to the professional world as I consider possible career paths, whether it be with independent traveling performance groups, dance therapy for retired dancers, or something else entirely.
Through Bates, I have made several professional connections across the country and overseas. I have been invited to workshops held by individuals I danced with and even faculty who invited me to visit for a class. The connections formed are life-changing in both the present and the future. Bates Dance Festival is an opportunity I encourage any serious dancer to consider. Whether the goal is professional progression or leaning into creative growth, Bates is a watershed experience on any dance journey. I am thankful for the support and encouragement from Professor Carrie and our dance faculty in making this part of my journey and my Converse experience.
You can see Ron and other Converse Dance and Theatre students perform in our Fall Dance Concert November 5-8, 2026, on campus. This event boasts a dynamic mixed repertory of ballet, contemporary, musical theatre dance, and classical Indian dance, and features six short works by faculty and professional guest artists.