TU students find their voice through dance

By Sedonia Martin on November 14, 2017

Towson University's Lia Karagianopoulos, Dec. ’17, and Christina Dunnington ’18, are quick to admit they have not only found their voices at TU but have also experienced life-changing opportunities in the process.

Dundalk, Maryland, native Karagianopoulos—a dance major and pre-physical therapy track minor—saw TU as an opportunity.

“I went to Hubbard Street Dance Collective where I met [professor] Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell,” said Karagianopoulos. “When she found out I was a Baltimorean, she said I had to come to Towson. And, now, I’m about to graduate.”

Dance major and marketing minor Dunnington—who recovered from major back surgery in high school—was convinced she wanted to come to TU during the campus tour, a decision she reaffirms every day.

“When I came to Towson, my eyes were opened to a lot of different things. Faculty was a big help because they taught me how to work with my back and find ways to improve my dancing,” she said.“I have something that could hold me back, but I’m not going to allow it to.

“I feel Towson really played a big part in that,” she said. “There was a lot of trial and error my first two years here and now I feel like I’m at a point where I know my body and how to work with it. I just keep growing. I’m at a really good place right now and I feel like Towson has a lot to do with it. I love it here! Towson has done a lot for me.”

Both Karagianopoulos and Dunnington have earned professional dance opportunities.

Hamilton, New Jersey, native Dunnington said, “I feel like Towson is always throwing stuff at us that we can take advantage of. When I was a freshman, I danced with ZviDance from NYC who was here for a week residency. I got to meet artistic director Zvi Gotheiner. He gave me personal corrections and I got to perform with the company which was awesome!”

Karagianopoulos agrees.

“At Towson University we are really blessed because our faculty are so strong. They bring in so many guest artists that it’s mind-boggling. It exposes you to so much, and those connections are vital. Having the opportunity to be introduced to them is fantastic because the dance community is small.”

Working with guest artists was transformative for both students, and they have taken what they've learned and poured it into Synergy, the Towson Dance Company’s annual fall concert. It runs Wednesday, Nov. 15 through Sunday, Nov. 19 in Stephens Hall Theatre with Runqiao Du, artistic director and Alison Seidenstricker, company manager.

“I never thought I would get a lead role, but I worked extremely hard and Runqaio Du sees something in me that I’m really grateful for,” said Dunnington. “I’m really lucky to have this opportunity.”  

As she approaches graduation, Karagianopoulos recognizes what TU has offered her.

“I’m at a pivotal moment, and Synergy is just solidifying it. Runqiao’s choreography for Allegro is incredible, and I so blessed to be featured in it because that’s the work I want to do—contemporary ballet.”

But faculty and personal experiences have taught the students to look past their professional careers to what comes afterwards.

Dunnington's back injury and Karagianopoulos's toe injury convinced them to develop contingency plans. 

Karagianopoulos plans to use the physical therapy track minor as a back of plan, one she’s equally passionate about. Ultimately, she’d like to focus on dancers, ice skaters, gymnasts and people who do extreme physical activity.

During her recovery, Karagianopoulos could not find supportive doctors who understand a dancer’s passion. She was told “Just don’t do that anymore.”

She did not see that answer as a solution.

“Normal doctors just don’t understand. That’s when I decided to pick-up the pre-requisites for pre-PT track and have that as a back-up plan.” 

Dunnington chose marketing as a minor because she“wanted something creative.” 

Through three years at TU, she has found a connection between dance and marketing that excites her.

“I want to dance professionally for a while but eventually I’d like to become the marketing director of a dance company. I’ve learned a lot about self-marketing and personal branding that I feel will really benefit me once I graduate.”

As members of the Towson University Dance Company, Karagianopoulus says, “It’s great to be confident with ourselves and each other. We want people to come and see us not just because we can get a leg up, but because we all have something so special to share, and it’s special for the entire company. We need people to see it. We live to dance.”