COFAC’s own Vincent Thomas, Department of Dance, is recipient of the 2017 Pola Nirenska Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance. The award committee in conjunction with Washington Performing Arts presents this annual honor to recognize exemplary leadership in dance and education.

Pola Nirenska was a matriarch of modern dance in Washington, D.C. She helped elevate the art form as a dancer, choreographer, and teacher at a time when it was scarcely known by the general public. Washington Performing Arts recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. Throughout its history, Washington Performing Arts has been a leader in serving artists, audiences, students, and civic life.

Vincent founded VTDance as an outlet for performance projects including solo, group, and collaborative choreographic endeavors. VTDance is multi-dimensional. The work builds on the use of contemporary dance, improvisation, text/movement, a variety of sound sources, and collaborations with other artists,

His award will be presented on November 18th at Dance Place during the “What’s Going On” performance.

READ MORE: Press Release of Pola Nirenska Award