Introduction to the Fund
The Rev. Jennifer Anderson Koenig ’87 served as associate college pastor at St. Olaf for more than 15 years before her death at the age of 47 from glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain tumor, on September 20, 2013. Jennifer began her ministry at St. Olaf in 1997. She described the St. Olaf position as her “dream call” and devoted herself to leading campus worship, preaching, and counseling students. A dance major at St. Olaf, following her graduation, Jennifer choreographed and performed for three years with the professional modern dance company Ballet Harren. She then served three years on the dance and fine arts committee at Luther Seminary, where she earned her master of divinity degree in 1994. Her legacy is one of building community among God’s people in rich and diverse ways, always seeking the good in others, being inquisitive, admiring the beauty of God’s creation, and championing the needs of the less powerful.
The Jennifer Anderson Koenig Endowed fund supports the Dance Department with special projects that interweave faith and the arts, invite collaboration with the St. Olaf Student Congregation Council, and build a community of faith through dance and movement.
2020 Events with Guest Artist Donna Mejia:
Discovery Masterclass: Transnational and “Tribal” Fusion (Arab-American)
When: Wednesday, February 26, 2020
Time: 4:00-5:30pm
Where: CAD, Studio 1
Description: “Tribal” Fusion is a transnational dance genre rooted in the nomadic and secular dance traditions of the Arabian Diaspora. Although the form claims strong roots in women’s styles of Arabic folk dance, various artists of the genre have expanded the vocabulary to include the influences of Romm (‘Gypsy’) dance styles from India to Europe, Spanish Flamenco, North African dances, and more recently American hip hop, electronic, punk and gothic subcultures.
As it was popularized, the form grew in response to the experimentation of DJs sampling and digitally manipulating traditional instruments through in hip hop, electronic and world music. In this discovery class with Donna Mejia, you’ll hear the best hardcore global electronica in the universe, learn foundational hip work and poly-rhythmic orientation. Dancers of all ages, gender expression, ability levels, and life experiences are absolutely welcomed in the class.
Co-sponsored by the Taylor Center for Equity and Inclusion
Lecture: The Ethics and Cultural Appropriation Issues in Studying Global Dance Forms
When: Thursday, February 27, 2020
Time: 11:30am-12:30pm
Where: Viking Auditorium
PLEASE REGISTER TO ATTEND THE LECTURE
Description: Many global dance forms are used or referenced as spiritualized movement practices whose theoretical underpinnings foster a sense of the inner life. Frequently, the use or reference of global dance forms occurs without a significant time of study, especially in their original contexts. This lecture tends to important considerations about how to engage with dance forms and movement practices in an ethical and considerate manner.
Connections: The Body, Movement, and Spirituality (all-experience levels welcomed)
When: Saturday, February 29, 2020
Time: 10:00am-12:00pm
Where: CAD, Studio 1
PLEASE REGISTER TO ATTEND THE WORKSHOP
Description: What is the role of the body in the development of an inner life or spirituality? Donna Mejia facilitates this workshop not as a teacher, but as a fellow explorer in what embodied consciousness means to each of us. Dancers have a vital contribution to make to our understanding of embodiment, evolution, and utilizing more of ourselves in all that we do. My larger agenda as a dance professor is not to create cookie cutter clones for successful stage careers. Rather, I aim to create more ambassadors in the world whom are integrated humans: emotionally brave and intellectually clear folks whom understand the body is not the obstruction to spiritual and intellectual growth Western history and religion would have us believe.
This dance workshop involves movement, discussion and reflection/contemplation time. Donna will summarize a collection of cultural paradigms about the role of physicality in our emotional, mental and spiritual evolution, and provide prompts for you to examine your own assumptions, indoctrinations and biases around working with YOUR body. This workshop provides the potential to excavate down to new levels of honesty with ourselves, fortify our spiritual bravery for the resistance we may experience, and embrace opportunities for maturation. Participants of all belief systems, experience levels, and gender expression are warmly welcomed.
Please dress in layers that can be added or shed as our activity level changes your bodily temperature. Please bring a yoga mat and your capture materials of choice (a journal or computer for harvesting your insights and thoughts). An open mind, a discerning and diplomatic tongue, and a generous sense of humor will make it a positive experience for all as a community. An optional folded blanket may be helpful as additional cushioning for some activities.