Phi Kappa Phi work samples

Christine Bowman Work Samples Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship Application

During my internship with the Godwin Group and their client, the International Ballet Competition, I was tasked with composing news releases for the competitors.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information contact:

Christine Bowman, GodwinGroup 601.360.9501, cbowman@godwin.com Brenda Trigg, USA IBC 601.973.9244, btrigg@usaibc.com

SMYTH ADVANCES TO FINALS IN 2014 USA INTERNATIONAL BALLET COMPETITION

Jackson, Miss., June 23, 2014 – Aaron Smyth of Chicago, Ill., has advanced to the final round of the 2014 USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Miss. Smyth is among 31 dancers who will perform variations from both the classical and contemporary repertoires during Round III of competition, June 24 – June 26.

Designated as the official international ballet competition of the United States by a Joint Resolution of Congress, the event is held every four years and synonymous for the discovery of new talents and the launching of careers. Smyth was chosen from almost 300 applicants to showcase his talents before the dance world’s most noted company directors and choreographers.

“Progressing to the competition’s final stages is a real accomplishment,” said Sue Lobrano, USA IBC executive director. “This is when dancers come to realize that they’ve endured the process and the rigor of being among the world’s best artists. Even without winning a medal, many competitors have gone on to have impressive tenures with highly acclaimed ballet troupes, holding positions as soloists and principals.”

22-­‐year-­‐old Smyth has been dancing for 14 years. He started in gymnastics when he was eight and he held the national title for high jump and hurdles. One day he was inspired by his sister’s dance class and was hooked. Now, he hopes to be a principal dancer within the next four years.

Smyth initially trained with Prudence Bowen Atelier and Dianne Talbot in Australia, where he was born. He is the only dancer representing Australia in the competition. His dance career continued as a full scholarship member of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre. From there he has danced with American Ballet Theatre II, the Royal Ballet in 2012, and is currently with the Joffery Ballet in Chicago, Ill.

-­‐more-­‐ 1

His repertoire includes performing in ABT’s Grand Pas Classique, Stars and Stripes Pas De Deux, Jessica Lang’s La Belle Danse, Vivace Mottifs, Oblivion, and Royal Ballet’s Christopher Wheeldon’s Titian: Metamorphosis to name a few.

Smyth is no stranger to dance competitions. In 2006 he received the Showcase Australian Dancer of the Year, and two years later he won both first place at Genee International Ballet Competition and the Bravo Audience Choice Award. He made it to the final round in the Prix De Lausanne in 2010, and in 2012 he won silver at the Cape Town International Ballet Competition.

Last year Smyth received silver again at the Beijing International Ballet and Choreography competition. He was also awarded the Royal Academy of Dance Solo Seal award and placed third on Australia’s Got Talent TV Series. Smith has been looking forward to participating in the 2014 USA IBC event, since he was a non-­‐competing partner with Silver Medalist Alys Shee in the last Jackson, Miss. USA IBC in 2010.

“I was asked by my dance partner to compete this year and because I was very impressed with the competition in 2010 I had to say yes. I felt it would be a fabulous experience and great exposure having to perform in front of the prestigious panel of judges,” Smyth said.

2014 medalists and award winners will be announced June 27.

The USA IBC is a two-­‐week, “olympic-­‐style” competition where tomorrow’s stars vie for gold, silver and bronze medals; cash awards; company contracts; and scholarships. The event is designated as the official international ballet competition in the United States by a Joint Resolution of Congress. Presented under the auspices of the International Dance Committee, International Theatre Institute of UNESCO, the USA IBC is held every four years in Jackson, Miss., in the tradition of sister competitions in Varna, Bulgaria, and Moscow, Russia.

For more information about USA IBC, visit www.usaibc.com or www.usaibc.facebook.

For information regarding competitor photos, contact Christine Bowman at 601.360.9501 or email cbowman@godwin.com. To reach our Media Operation Center please call 601.969.0500 or email moc@usaibc.com.

###

2

During my internship with the Godwin Group and their client, the International Ballet Competition, I was tasked with composing news releases for the competitors.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

3

For more information contact:

Christine Bowman, GodwinGroup 601-­‐360-­‐9501, cbowman@godwin.com Brenda Trigg, USA IBC 601.973.9244, btrigg@usaibc.com

USA IBC 2014 COMPETITOR ATTENDED USA IBC 2010 DANCE SCHOOL

Jackson, Miss., June 11, 2014 – Megan Wilcox of Baltimore, Md., plans to pursue a professional dance career by seizing not one, but two once-­‐in-­‐a-­‐lifetime opportunities including being recently accepted into the Julliard School and competing in the 2014 USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Miss.

18-­‐year-­‐old Wienecke has been dancing at her mother’s studio since she could walk.

The Mid-­‐Atlantic Center for the Performing Arts has been her home away from home and where she practices for three to five hours a day. Since her mother’s passing four years ago, she continues to be dedicated to dance.

“I saw how much joy dance brought my mom and pretty soon I was hooked too. She was such an amazing woman and an influential part in many of her students lives. I almost feel as if I can sometimes still communicate with her through dance, and if she hadn't introduced me to it I wouldn't be here right now,” Wienecke said.

Earlier this year a door opened for Wienecke and it was called a full scholarship to Julliard. The audition process was rigorous as the school scoured the country’s best dance applicants.

“Auditioning for Julliard was really fun actually. I loved the energy there and the facility provides a great atmosphere. At first I was nervous, but once I got going I was just enjoying dancing and I felt confident about how I presented myself,” Wienecke said.

The audition started with a ballet class that was then cut down to about a dozen people.

Next, the dancers took a short modern class and then only five dancers remained. At this point, the participants performed solos for a panel of 13 faculty members in which all of them were sent on to the next round which consisted of combinations in where one dancer was eliminated. For the final round, the remaining applicants were individually interviewed.

Next for Wienecke is competing in the USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Miss. Designated as the official international ballet competition in the United States by a Joint Resolution of Congress, the “Olympic-­‐style” event is held every four years and showcases the best dance talent the world has to offer

“Auditioning for Julliard was really fun actually. I loved the energy there and the facility provides a great atmosphere. At first I was nervous, but once I got going I was just enjoying dancing and I felt confident about how I presented myself,” Wienecke said.

The audition started with a ballet class that was then cut down to about a dozen people.

Next, the dancers took a short modern class and then only five dancers remained. At this point, the participants performed solos for a panel of 13 faculty members in which all of them were sent on to the next round which consisted of combinations in where one dancer was eliminated. For the final round, the remaining applicants were individually interviewed.

Next for Wienecke is competing in the USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Miss. Designated as the official international ballet competition in the United States by a Joint Resolution of Congress, the “Olympic-­‐style” event is held every four years and showcases the best dance talent the world has to offer

Wienecke will be among 93 dancers competing for scholarships, cash awards, medals, and company contracts during the USA IBC’s three rounds of competition. She will compete in the Junior Female division and initially perform variations from the classical ballet repertoire.

The USA IBC’s selection process requires that dancers submit written entries and performance videos from the classical ballet repertoire. Wienecke was selected by a world-­‐ renown group of dance professionals who chose her from almost 300 applicants.

“Being among the dancers selected to compete in the USA IBC is a tremendous accomplishment,” said Sue Lobrano, USA IBC executive director. “The dancers selected exemplify the highest caliber of artistry and technical skills.”

Wienecke expresses herself through dance, and actually prefers it to words. She admits that dance has taught her both discipline and an art form that most teenagers do not have the opportunity to experience. Her career goals include graduating from Julliard and joining a contemporary company one day.

“Contemporary dance is definitely my favorite style of dance. I feel the most myself while at the same time being able to become something else. It’s the easiest style for me to connect emotionally,” Wienecke said.

Her advice to young dancers who aspire to be where she is today is to never give up.

“Sometimes you’ll love it. Sometimes you’ll hate it, but just stick with it because even if it doesn’t end up being your career it will teach you life lessons about the relationships with family, friends, teachers, and most importantly you will learn about yourself,” Wienecke said.

For more information about USA IBC, visit www.usaibc.com or www.usaibc.facebook.

For information regarding competitor photos, contact Christine Bowman at 601.360.9501 or email cbowman@godwin.com.

###

4

Brochure I designed in Indesign for the Social Science Research Center. This was created for the Mississippi Child Restraint Survey project.

5