2026 MINNESOTA DANCE SUMMIT
Welcome to the 2026 Minnesota Dance Summit hosted by Perpich Center for Arts Education!
RHYTHM AND LEGACY 2.0
Presented by: Davente Gilreath, Matthew Wagner, Ingrid Ciaccia, and Mary Harding
DATE AND TIME:
Saturday, February 21st from 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
*Please note that we will provide participants with lunch. We ask that you list your dietary restrictions in the registration form. Thank you!
ABOUT THE SUMMIT: Join us for a day-long exploration of rhythm and legacy, exploring deeper connections, highlighting teaching practice, and sharing how our embodiment influences our teaching. We will start the day with a Pilates session with guest teacher Ingrid Ciaccia to help us warm up. Guest teachers Davente Gilreath and Matthew Wagner return to ground us in physical practice that highlights coordination, rhythm, and line. We will delve deeply into styles and genres – modern Afro-Caribbean (Davente) and tap groove (Matthew). As we dance we will question and reframe history, both ours as teachers and the history of the form. We will reflect continually on the teaching practice of the day and identify components that we want to use moving forward and what we might leave behind.
LEARNING GOALS:
By the end of the this workshop:
- Participants will learn movements based on techniques, styles and genres of guest artists.
- Participants will reflect on their personal dance histories and how it influences their teaching.
- Participants will layer elements to increase complexity in curriculum.
LOCATION:
Perpich Center for Arts Education – Dance Studio
6125 Olson Memorial Hwy, Golden Valley, MN 55422
REGISTRATION FEE: FREE
CLOCK HOURS
You will receive 6 Professional Development clock hours for attending the entire Summit. If you cannot attend the entire Summit, you will receive clock hours for the portions of the workshop you attend.
Questions or comments? Email mary.harding@pcae.k12.mn.us
DAVENTE GILREATH BIO
Davente was born and raised in Minneapolis. His dance training began at Perpich Center for Arts Education where he was exposed to styles of dance including modern, ballet, jazz, african, and contact improvisation. Gilreath furthered his dance training at the University of Minnesota where he worked with professors such as Ananya Chatterjea, Erin Thompson, and Toni Pierce‐Sands. During this time he was also able to perform and create work with Minnesota‐based companies such as Threads Dance Project and Contempo Physical Dance (with Marciano Silva dos Santos). Gilreath Joined Garth Fagan Dance in 2014 and during his 8 years with the company performed numerous key works from the Fagan cannon around the country including new works choreographed by PJ Pennewell the company director. He was promoted to senior company member and appointed the Director of the Garth Fagan Dance Student Ensemble. He also taught Intermediate/Advanced Fagan Technique for the Garth Fagan Dance School and for the Garth Fagan Summer Movement Institute. Gilreath is now a dance instructor at The University of Minnesota where he teaches Contemporary, African Diasporic Movement and Jazz. In the last 3 years since returning to Minneapolis he has danced for choreographers Joe Chvala, Darrius Strong, and has just joined Ananya Dance Theatre. He has set choreography for senior students at TU Dance, Perpich Center for Arts Education (2023) and in his own solo work “Rumination” (which premiered in Choreographers’ Evening, Walker Art Center, Nov 2024).
MATTHEW WAGNER BIO
Matthew Is an Assistant Professor of Dance and Musical Theater at the University of Minnesota Duluth. His research is focused in dances of the African Diaspora like tap and jazz, and numerous other percussive and improvisational dance forms. Professionally, his work has been seen at the 92nd St. Y, St. Marks, Theater by the Sea, TexArts, UMD, Perpich Center for Arts Education, Renegade Theater Company, Nor-Shor Theater, and with his former Tap company Step Brothers NYC. Matthew likes to incorporate a sense of play and exploration into his work, encouraging students to be bold in their choices. Teachers like Mary Harding, Suyenne Simoes, Susan Hebach, Roxane Butterfly and Sharon Levi have had an immense impact on his practice.
INGRID CIACCIA BIO
Ingrid is a dance educator and certified Yoga and Pilates instructor. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Dance from Sarah Lawrence College and a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and German Cultural Studies from Hobart and William Smith Colleges.
Driven by a passion for exploring the relationship between body, mind, and movement, Ingrid’s work blends artistry with technical precision. As Studio Manager and Instructor at St. Paul Pilates and Fitness, she guides clients through breath-synchronized exercises that build strength, flexibility, and stamina while nurturing body awareness and emotional well-being. In her role as a dance educator, she inspires students to cultivate responsibility, creativity, and confidence both on and off the stage.
Ingrid has directed dance programs at Rye Country Day School and Culver Academies, where she was honored with the Delmar T. Spivey Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2022. Her teaching philosophy bridges the classroom and the Pilates studio, encouraging creative exploration and interdisciplinary collaboration.
