Curriculum Vitae
Millie Heckler Dancer for Social Justice [email protected] 212-390-0826 millieheckler.com
Education:
2018-2020: Dance and Social Justice, Masters of Fine Arts, University of Texas at Austin Assistant Instructor Fellowship, studying under the mentorship of leading scholars, artists and activists in the field: Charles O. Anderson, Gesel Mason, Rennie Harris, Rebecca Rossen, Tina Curran, Megan Alrutz
2010-2015: Dance, Bachelor of Fine Arts, University of Colorado at Boulder Onye Ozuzu, Rennie Harris, Michelle Ellsworth, Erika Randall, Nii Armah Sowah, Gesel Mason, Donna Mejia, Nada Diachenko, John Scott, Teena Marie Custer, Larry Southall
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Movement and Interdisciplinary Training:
Street Dance (Hip Hop Proper, Hip Hop Commercial, House, Lofting, Breaking, Popping, Boogaloo, Campbell Locking, Waacking, Vogue, Lite Feet, Krump, Chicago Footwork, Animation, Tutting, GQ, Jazz, Hustle, Dance Hall, Second Line, Wu-Tang, Strutting, Freestyle): Rennie Harris, James “Cricket” Colter, Larry Southall, Nina Flagg, Kim D. Holmes, Ejoe Wilson, Steps, Caleaf Sellers, Buddha Stretch, LINK, Archie Burnett, Moncell Durden, Millicent Marie Johnnie, Rokafella, Kwikstep, Asia One, DeAndre Carroll, Teena Marie Custer, Quilan Arnold, CEBO, Tatiana Desardouin, Yaminah, Sekou, Soo, Danielle Polanco, Marzpheus Tomas, Mai Lé, Tone McGregor, Heat Rock, Tweet Boogie, Huu Rock, Kid Glyde, Smoke, Zulu Gremlin, Fate Rokz, Kid Cruz, D. Sabela Grimes, Raphael Xavier, Chio, Chester Whitmore, Boog, JoJo Gomez, Ricky Evans, Marcus Tucker, Joshua Polk, Drew Ramsey, Hak n Lok, Kevin O’Keefe, Rodney Mason, Rodney Hill, Miss Prissy, Pop Master Fabel, SPEX, Phil Cuttino, Rob Nasty, Noah-Lot, Tyrone Proctor, King Charles
DJ and Turntablism: DJ Soulrane, DJ Dio, DJ Donavin
Modern and Contemporary (Graham, Limón, Horton, Dunham, Duncan, Cunningham, Afro, Fusion): Onye Ozuzu, Charles O. Anderson, Erika Randall, Gesel Mason, John Scott, Daniel Squire, Erica Gionfriddo, Halifu Osumare, Penny Godboldo, Patricia Wilson, Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Gerri Houlihan, Elisa Clark, Raja Feather Kelly, Nia Love, Jennifer Nugent, Jesse Zaritt, Maria Bauman, Jesse Obremski, Jenny Schiff, Lauren Beale, Meghan Lawitz, Amanda Leise, Wade Madsen, Kim D. Holmes, Kathleen Hermesdorf, Elisa Clark, Jesse Zaritt, Greg Dolbashian
West African: Nii Armah Sowah, Roderick Jackson Transnational Fusion: Donna Mejia
Gaga: Uri Shafir
Theatrical/Broadway Jazz (Cole, Fosse, Fusion): Chester Whitmore, Frank Hatchett, Kim D. Holmes, Mia Michaels, Erika Randall, Helena Sullivan
Ballet (Diaghilev, Balanchine, Fusion): Beth Goheen, Heidi Cruz-Austin, Deborah Wingert, Helena Sullivan
Somatics (Yoga, Pilates, Gyrokinesis): Robbie Cook, Erica Gionfriddo, Dorothy O’Shea Overbey, Andrea Beckham, Donna Mejia
Boxing: Mitt Master Ray Williams, of Mitt Master Boxing and Fitness Club
Anti-Racism and Community Engagement: Summer Leadership Institute, Urban Bush Women, People's Institute for Survival and Beyond
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Awards:
2019: Two-time recipient of Cultural Arts Initiative Grant in Austin, TX Nominated for Austin Critics Table Award for Best Short Dance Work, shoulders
2018: Full Fellowship for M.F.A. in Dance and Social Justice from University of Texas at Austin Recipient of Cultural Arts Initiative Grant in Austin, TX
2016: Winner of KRW Project Dance Battle: The Rounds CO in Boulder, CO
2015: Winner of Urban Renewal All-Styles Battle at PMT Dance Studios in Manhattan, NY Recipient of De Castro Award for professionalism and dedication in dance at the University of Colorado at Boulder
2014: Recipient of Jamie Kellam Redmond Scholarship for talent and dedication in dance at the University of Colorado at Boulder
2011: Recipient of Betty Jean Bruno Dance Scholarship for passion in dance at the the University of Colorado at Boulder
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Teaching Experience: Higher Education
2020-2018: Assistant Instructor, University of Texas at Austin
2018-2017: Lecturer in Dance, University of Texas at Austin
2015: Lecturer in Dance, Community College of Aurora in Colorado
Courses taught at University of Texas at Austin:
TD 302T Beginning Hip Hop TD 302T Intro to Contemporary TD 302T Contemporary Dance Technique: House TD 312T Contemporary Dance Technique: House TD 322T Contemporary Dance Technique: House TD 352T Intermediate/Advanced Hip Hop History of Hip Hop (T.A. for Dr. Rennie Harris) TD 312N Movement Composition (T.A. for Charles O. Anderson) TD 232P Fundamental and Advanced Projects in Dance Performance and Repertoire
Services performed at University of Texas at Austin:
Local UIL Superconference Presenter: American Vernacular Dance BFA Audition Adjudicator BA/BFA Advising Mentor
National Founder/Director/Producer of SoulFunktion Social Empowerment Project: Hosting weekly, all-styles jam sessions for dancers and musicians; Teaching classes rooted in Street Dance history, philosophy and tradition across Texas and nationally Dance and DJ host for Heman Sweatt Symposium on Civil Rights ACDA Representative, Teacher and Chaperone
Master Classes, Repertory and Workshop Residencies
2019:
McCallum Fine Arts Hip Hop Classes with DJ Schi Austin, TX High School the God
University of Houston House Master Classes with DJ Houston, TX Schi the God and Dancer for Social Justice Lec/Dem
ARCOS Summer Intensive House Master Class Austin, TX
University of Texas House and Hip Hop Master El Paso, TX at El Paso Classes, Set original choreography for touring company
El Paso House and Hip Hop Master El Paso, TX Community College Classes, Set original choreography for touring company 2018:
ARCOS Winter Intensive House Master Class Austin, TX w/ DJ Donavin
McCallum Fine Arts Hip Hop Classes w/ Austin, TX High School DJ Donavin
Rennie Harris Inc. Re-Stage Repertory, University of Adjudication, Rhode Island, RI Master Classes
Rennie Harris Inc. Re-Stage Repertory, University of Master Classes North Texas, TX
SoulFunktion Social Hosting All-Styles Sessions, Texas A&M, McCallum Fine Empowerment Project Master Classes across Texas Arts High School, Grace with live DJ accompaniment Ballet Academy, Heman Sweatt Symposium, Paleo f(x), Good Morning Texas, Creative Intersection Collective, SXSW, HighLand Lounge Hip Hop Night, King Electric Recording Co.
The Dance Spot House Dance Round Rock, TX Master Class
Rennie Harris Inc. Rehearsal Assistant Alvin Ailey American for original, evening-length Dance Theater, NY repertory, Company’s 60th Anniversary, ‘Lazarus’
American College Hip Hop and House Lamar University, TX Dance Association Classes
2017:
Rennie Harris Inc. Re-Stage Repertory, Tokyo Legend, Japan Master Classes
House Dance Hustle Dance Manhattan, NY International Showcase, Master Class Gibney Dance Hip Hop and House Manhattan, NY Substitute Teacher
PMT Dance Studios Hip Hop and House Manhattan, NY (Home of Rock Steady Substitute Teacher Crew)
Work Up 3.0 Resident Artist with Gibney Dance, NY collaborator Samantha Lysaght
2016:
CU Boulder Hip Hop, House, Cherokee Trails, CO Outreach Program Contemporary, Improvisation Classes
Rennie Harris Inc. Re-Stage Repertory, University of Texas, TX Master Classes
Rennie Harris Inc. Re-Stage Repertory, Earl Mosley Institute of the Master Classes Arts, CT
Rennie Harris Inc. Re-Stage Repertory, Columbia College, IL Master Classes
2015:
Winter Wonder Hip Hop and House Cambridge, MA Dance Festival Classes
Rennie Harris Inc. Re-Stage Repertory, University of Iowa, IA Master Classes
Rennie Harris Inc. Re-Stage Repertory, Bates Dance Festival, ME Master Classes
Rennie Harris Inc. Re-Stage Repertory, Earl Mosley Institute of the Master Classes Arts, CT
Rennie Harris Inc. Re-Stage Repertory, Institute for Dunham Master Classes Technique Certification, FL
Rennie Harris Inc. Rehearsal Assistant Alvin Ailey American for original repertory, Dance Theater, NY ‘Exodus’ 2013:
Frendly Gathering Creative Movement, Jamaica, VT Music Festival Improvisation Classes
Private Studios
2018-2016:
Contemporary Dance Hip Hop, House, Montpelier, VT and Fitness Studio Improvisation Classes
2016-2015:
Millennium Dance Hip Hop, House, Denver, CO Complex Contemporary, Improvisation, Ballet Teacher
The Art Creative Movement, Louisville, CO Underground Lion King Dance, Hip Hop for Teens, Ballet Teacher
Contemporary Dance Hip Hop, House, Montpelier, VT and Fitness Studio Improvisation Classes
2009-2004:
Stowe Dance Academy Creative Movement, Stowe, VT Theatrical/Broadway Jazz, Ballet, Jazz Funk
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Performance Experience
2019:
Theorist Fest Original live music in partnership Mexican American Cultural with dance, Collaboration with Center, Austin, TX Maleek Washington
Dancer for Social What does it mean to be a dancer University of Houston Justice Lec/Dem for social justice? With original live music
(Re)current Unrest Charles O. Anderson/ MANCC Residency dance theater X Florida State University, FL Queendom The Q Project Center Stage and Beyond
2018: the Floor, TX shoulders Choreographer/Singer/ University of Texas at Austin, Songwriter TX
(Re)current Unrest Charles O. Anderson/ FuseBox Festival, TX dance theater X
Theorist Fest Singer/Songwriter Austin, TX
Resurrection Rennie Harris Inc./ University of Texas at Austin, Singer/Songwriter TX
Lifted Rennie Harris University of Portland, OR PureMovement, in collaboration with Hood Lockers and Alonzo Chadwick & Zoulful Muzic
2017:
Cricket All-female breaking PMT Showcase, NY ensemble
Beautiful Human Rennie Harris Grass Breakin’ Convention, CO Lies, excerpt Roots Project
Lifted Rennie Harris Dance Place, D.C. PureMovement, in collaboration with Hood Lockers and D.C.-based gospel choir
2017-2016:
Giving Yourself To Me Choreographer/ Gibney Work Up 3.0, NY Could Never Be Wrong Singer/Songwriter Southern Vermont Dance Festival, VT Winter Wonder Dance Complex, MA rain In collaboration with Southern Vermont Samantha Lysaght and Dance Festival, VT Gong Specialist Stephan Brandstatter
Beautiful Human Rennie Harris Grass Colorado College, CO Lies Roots Project, San Francisco International Founding Member, Hip Hop Festival, CA Principal Dancer/ Spectrum Dance Festival, Singer/Songwriter CO Dance Place, D.C. Rutgers University, NJ University of Colorado at Boulder, CO
2016:
Ties That Bind Choreographer Contemporary Dance and Fitness Studio Summer Intensive, VT 2015:
Still? Rennie Harris Grass Bates Dance Festival, MA Roots Project, Soloist
100 Naked Locks Rennie Harris Apollo Salon Series at Movement/RHAW, in The Apollo, NY collaboration with Next Level Squad, Soloist
Doin’ The Most Freestyle, in collaboration Su Teatro Cultural and with local Denver musicians Performing Arts Center, CO
Lec/Dem or Gesel Mason University of Colorado at How Do You Spell Boulder, CO Femaphobia? University of Northern Colorado, CO ACDA
Ties That Bind Choreographer University of Northern Colorado, CO ACDA
Including You Choreographer, University of Colorado at B.F.A Dance Concert, in Boulder, CO collaboration with M.F.A. Dance Concert
2014:
Ties That Bind Choreographer Boulder Jazz Dance Workshop, CO
Shadow Walk Teena Marie Custer University of Colorado at Boulder, CO
Operation Boomla Donna Meija University of Colorado at Boulder, CO University of Montana, MO ACDA 2013:
U.N.W.R.A.P. John Scott of University of Colorado at Irish Modern Dance Boulder, CO Company
Lula Granji Back-Up Dancer, ARISE Music Festival, CO Cosmoquatic Funk
2011:
Bernstein’s Mass Jessica Pearson and Denver’s Boettcher Concert Christine Rhode Hall, CO
2009-1995:
Stowe Dance Helena Sullivan, Dibden Center for the Arts, Academy Annual Stowe Dance Academy VT Dance Concert Faculty
2007:
Bajazz Dance Bajazz Danseskole Bekkestua Arena, Oslo, Concert Norway
1997:
Sound of Music Musical Theater Debut Stowe Theater Guild, VT as Gretel
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Research/Creativity Activity/Choreography
2019:
Theorist Fest Original live music in partnership Mexican American Cultural with dance, Collaboration with Center, Austin, TX Maleek Washington
Dancer for Social What does it mean to be a dancer University of Houston Justice Lec/Dem for social justice? With original live music
Not Going Further Original House Choreography El Paso, TX Without You for UT El Paso and El Paso Community College Touring Co., With original music cigarettes Dance for Camera, Austin, TX Short Film she schi vona Dance for Camera, Austin, TX Short Film
I think about you everyday Dance for Camera, Austin, TX Short Film
2018:
Drink from your own well Dance for Camera, Austin, TX Short Film
Shhh…a library Dance for Camera, Austin, TX Short Film
We All Need Dance for Camera, Austin, TX Short Film
He Came Dance for Camera, Austin, TX Short Film shoulders Collaboration with Tap University of Texas at Austin, Master Jeremy Arnold TX
Funk It Up SoulFunktion Project Bachelorette Party, TX
danger zone Dance for Camera, Austin, TX Short Film
Coming Home Dance for Camera, Hyde Park, VT Short Film
Accuse Me Dance for Camera, Manhattan, NY Short Film
Press Harder Dance for Camera, Brooklyn, NY Short Film
WTF Dance for Camera, Brooklyn, NY Short Film
2017:
Giving Yourself To Me Collaboration Gibney Work Up 3.0, NY Could Never Be Wrong with Samantha Lysaght Southern Vermont Dance Festival, VT
Just Hit Like Dance for Camera, Austin, TX Short Film
“Futuristic Lover” Dance for Camera, Austin, TX Short Film good soldier Dance for Camera, Austin, TX Short Film
HOME Dance for Camera, Austin, TX Short Film, in collaboration Oslo, Norway with multi-disciplinary artist André Azul dancing nyc Dance for Camera, Manhattan, NY (raw cut) Short Film my grounded mood Dance for Camera, Brooklyn, NY Short Film
…Miss Badu, Dance for Camera, the beach, SC I Love You. Short Film
2016:
This Chick Is Dance for Camera, Denver, CO For Higher Short Film
Drunk Dance for Camera, Denver, CO Short Film
2016: reach House Dance, Original Cherokee Trails High School, Repertory for Performance CO Company
2016-2015:
Winter and Spring Creative Movement, Lion King The Art Underground, CO Concerts Dance, Hip Hop, House Original Repertory
2015: a woman’s voice Contemporary Fusion, Winter Wonder Dance Original Choreography Complex, MA for Intensive Participants
Final Showing Lecture/demonstration in Community College of collaboration with CCA Aurora, CO Hip Hop students
Including You B.F.A Dance Concert, University of Colorado at Contemporary Dance Boulder, CO
2014:
Ties That Bind Solo, University of Colorado Contemporary Dance at Boulder, CO
Lula Granji Back-Up Choreography, ARISE Music Festival, CO Cosmoquatic Funk band
2009-2008:
Spring Concert Jazz Funk Stowe Dance Academy, VT
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Related Administrative Experience
2019:
Executive Administrator Mitt Master Boxing East Austin, TX and Fitness Club
2015-2013:
Administrative Sans Souci Festival Boulder, CO Assistant of Dance Cinema
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Special Skills
Additional languages: Norwegian
Lead vocalist in all-female Austin funeral-soul band, Halicion