American College Dance Association Elects Professor Christian von Howard for National Leadership Role

Associate professor Christian von Howard of the Department of Theatre and Dance has been elected as the Northeast Regional Director of the American College Dance Association (ACDA), a distinguished, nationally-recognized leadership role at the organization which supports dance at higher education institutions.

Prof. von Howard will represent all schools in the newly structured Northeast region, which includes New Jersey and New York, at national conferences where students and faculty gather to participate in performances, workshops, and speaker panels to exchange ideas and promote creativity and innovation at dance programs across the country.

The election, which was proposed by the ACDA’s Executive Committee, brings a wealth of dynamic experiences for Prof. von Howard within the next three years of his tenure. "This new position will give me the opportunity to deepen my connection to the organization and its mission, to foster creative potential, to honor multiple approaches to scholarly and creative research and activity, to promote excellence in choreography and/or performance, and to give presence and value to diversity in dance,” says Prof. von Howard who has had a long standing relationship with the ACDA, participating at conferences as an undergraduate student, guest teacher, presenter, committee member, and adjudicator since 1993.

The appointment also strengthens the visibility of the Dance Division at Montclair State, where dance students and faculty have been active participants at ACDA conferences for the past three decades. “Having Prof. von Howard represent the Northeast Region will help to raise our profile at the national level,” states Deputy Chair and professor of Dance Lori Katterhenry.  

“Montclair State has had a very distinctive record at the American College Dance Association, where we have been selected to represent the Northeast region nine times out of the past twelve conferences.  Our faculty and students, and guest choreographers have performed their work at these fantastic conferences where students from around the United States share their work,” says Prof. Katterhenry who is enthusiastic about the fortified relationship between ADCA and Montclair State.

As the newly elected regional director and board member, Prof. von Howard will be locating prospective sites and identifying coordinators for conferences, and assisting in all aspects of conference planning, among other key responsibilities. 

“Taking on this role will definitely provide a wonderful new challenge that is sure to bring many wonderful memories for me as a dance educator who finds much unspoken kinship in the dance community," says Prof. von Howard. In addition to his role as associate professor of the undergraduate program and new low-residency MFA in Dance program at Montclair State, von Howard is artistic director of the VON HOWARD PROJECT, a contemporary dance company, and concurrently teaches at the Alvin Ailey School in New York City.

To learn more about the American College Dance Association click here.

Read more about the Department of Theatre and Dance at Montclair State.