""We knew we wanted alumni from each decade to perform with us. We sent out a Google form to all alumni to find out what former Jefferson Dancers were interested in performing," explains Steve Gonzales, the artistic director of the company."
"The Jefferson Dancers were founded in 1976 at Jefferson High School. Mary Vinton Folberg, sister of Will Vinton of Claymation, founded the program and modeled it after the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in New York."
"In the years since its founding, the company has grown and changed and now performs a range of dance styles, including ballet, modern, African, tap, jazz, and hip hop."
"All these styles were included in the Spring Concerts. Former Jefferson Dancers, who have branched out internationally in the dance world over the past fifty years, returned to celebrate the company's legacy."
The Jefferson Dancers, Portland's longest-running dance company, celebrated their 50th anniversary with special performances at Portland'5 Newmark Theatre. Alumni from every decade since 1976 returned to perform alongside current members, showcasing a variety of dance styles. Planning for the anniversary began in Spring 2025, with performances held from April 16-18. Artistic director Steve Gonzales emphasized the importance of including alumni in the celebration, ensuring a diverse representation of the company's history and talent.
Read at Oregon ArtsWatch * Arts & Culture News
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