Curriculum Vitae Professional Summary

Adjunct Professor of Dance at Towson University with over four decades of experience as an educator, choreographer, performer, and director. Expertise in modern and aerial dance, contact improvisation, dance composition, somatic practices, and yoga. Founder and Artistic Director of Air Dance Bernasconi, Inc., and owner of Yoga on York in Baltimore. Dedicated to integrating creative expression, physical awareness, and inclusive pedagogy in both academic and community settings.

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Education

M.A. Dance in Education — Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY, 1986
B.A. Dance Performance — University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 1983
Undergraduate Studies — Northern Vermont University, Johnson, VT, 1978–1981

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Academic & Teaching Appointments

Towson University, Department of Dance – Towson, MD
Adjunct Professor | 2000–Present
Teach all levels of Modern Dance, Composition I–IV, Introduction to Dance: The American Experience, Introduction to Dance: Overview, Fundamentals of Movement, Yoga, Aerial Technique, Modern (Aerial) Dance Repertory, Dance for Special Needs Children, and Drumming and Dance for People on the Autism Spectrum. Developed and sustained the university’s aerial dance program and continue to mentor emerging artists.

 

East Tennessee State University – Johnson City, TN
Master Teacher, Aerial Dance Intensive | 2008–2013
Designed and led a weeklong Aerial Dance Workshop, including curriculum development, national marketing, and instructor supervision. Taught single-point trapeze, aerial fabric, hoops, and composition.

 

Montpelier High School & Union 32 High School – Montpelier and East Montpelier, VT
Dance Teacher | 1992–1993
Daily modern dance classes for all grade levels and produced student-choreographed performances.

 

Essex Town District School – Essex, VT
Dance Residency Artist | 1993–1994
A nine-week residency integrating dance with curriculum topics including endangered species, oceans, and folklore. Directed an after-school project, “Unsheltered Lives,” exploring themes of homelessness through dance.

 

Dance Arts Studio – Waterbury, VT
Director | 1990–1991
Private studio offering children’s and adult classes in modern, ballet, jazz, and creative movement. Managed recruitment, publicity, curriculum, and production of annual concerts.

 

Wellness Center for Dance – Madison, NJ
Director, Preschool Dance Program | 1988–1989
Developed and taught creative movement classes for children ages 3–5. Organized informal student performances.

 

Morningside Dance Program, Columbia University – New York, NY
Program Coordinator | 1984–1986
Administered a community dance program within Columbia University. Managed student recruitment, budgeting, publicity, and performance organization.

 

Creative Directorship & Professional Work

Air Dance Bernasconi, Inc. – Baltimore, MD
Founder and Artistic Director | 2000–Present
Founded and direct a nonprofit aerial dance company presenting original works integrating modern dance and aerial technique. Oversee all aspects of company operations including performance production, grant writing, dancer recruitment and training, fundraising, publicity, and public relations.

 

Yoga on York – Baltimore, MD
Owner and Instructor | 2010–2024
A community yoga studio offering aerial yoga, traditional yoga, men’s yoga, meditation, gentle yoga, yoga nidra, yin yoga, teen yoga, vinyasa, mom & tots yoga, and chair yoga, 200 and 500 hour teacher trainings, Aerial Yoga Teacher Trainings. Management of 18 yoga teachers.

 

Himalayan Institue, Honesdale, PA

Master Teacher | 2021 – present

Lead Yoga & Writing Retreats every Winter and Summer Solstice

 

Aerial Dance Festival – Boulder, CO
Faculty Member & Performer | 1999–Present
Teach intermediate and advanced aerial dance, choreography, aerial yoga, and mixed-ability aerial dance at an internationally recognized annual festival.

 

Gerstung – Baltimore, MD
Aerial Dance Instructor | 2000–2011
Taught all levels of low-flying single-point trapeze, aerial fabric, hoops, and Spanish web.

 

Forces of Ability – Burlington, VT and Boulder, CO
Founder and Artistic Director | 1992–1999
Founded a company bridging movement between abled and differently-abled populations. Developed inclusive workshops in collaboration with Steve Paxton, integrating dance with disability awareness. Responsibilities included teaching, choreography, grant writing, publicity, and public education.

 

Forces of Ability (FOA) in the Schools – Boulder, CO
Director | 1995–1999
Created school-based residencies introducing dance and disability awareness to K–8 students. Designed curriculum, coordinated school partnerships, and led teacher training workshops.

 

Artsability – Burlington, VT and Boulder, CO
Founder and Artistic Director | 1995–1999
Developed an arts program combining dance and storytelling for children with and without disabilities and chronic illness. Led weekly classes, teacher trainings, and grant-supported projects in partnership with Parent to Parent of Vermont.

 

Fleming Museum, University of Vermont – Burlington, VT
Dance Artist-in-Residence | 1992
Designed and taught a nine-week residency integrating dance and visual arts for diverse community participants including university students, K–12 classes, seniors, and people with developmental disabilities.

 

Very Special Arts Vermont and Colorado
Teaching Artist | 1992–1999
Taught ongoing workshops for people with physical and developmental disabilities; led teacher training seminars on inclusive art education; and served as guest artist for adaptive PE and Special Olympics programs.

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Performance Experience

Air Dance Bernasconi, Inc. | 2000–Present
Choreograph and perform solo, duet, and ensemble works featuring low-flying trapeze, aerial fabric, hoops, Spanish web, bungee, and harness.

 

“Sorcerer” – Alwin Nikolais | 2007
Performed at The Art of the Solo series, Baltimore Museum of Art, Baltimore, MD.

 

Frequent Flyers Productions, Inc. – Boulder, CO | 1995–1999
Company member performing in statewide tours and community outreach programs.

 

Forces of Ability – Burlington, VT and Boulder, CO | 1992–1999
Performed contact improvisation and original choreographic works with Steve Paxton, Felice Wolfzan, and Sarah Brutzman.

 

Jayne Bernasconi and Friends – Burlington, VT | 1991–1995
Founded and directed a modern dance collective performing annually at Vermont festivals including Midsummer and First Night Burlington.

 

Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company – Flynn Theatre, Burlington, VT | 1991
Performed and served as local liaison for The Last Supper at Uncle Tom’s Cabin.

 

Those Dancers From Burlington – Burlington, VT | 1989–1991
Collaborated with jazz composers to present live dance works for the Burlington Jazz Festival.

 

Ann Vachon/Dance Conduit – Philadelphia, PA | 1987–1988
Company member performing at venues across Philadelphia.

 

Stephen Petronio Dance Company – New York, NY | 1984
Company member for one season performing at St. Mark’s Church, NYC.

 

Abiogenesis – New York, NY | 1984–1986
Improvisational dance company performing in showcases, museums, and schools throughout NYC.

 

Impulse Theatre and Dance Company – New York, NY | 1983–1984
Company member performing in modern and improvisational works.

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Publications & Media

Books

• Aerial Yoga. Backyard Publishing, 2012.

• Aerial Dance (co-author with Nancy Smith). Human Kinetics, 2008.

• “Teaching Aerial Dance through Contact Improvisation.” In Contact Improvisation: An Introduction to a Vitalizing Dance Form by Cheryl Pallant. McFarland & Co.

• Yoga at TU with Jayne Bernasconi. Backyard Publishing, 2013.

Articles

• “Low Flying Aircraft: A Report from the Aerial Dance Festival 2000 and an Interview with Terry Sendgraff.” Contact Quarterly, Vol. 1, Fall/Winter 2002.

• “Fluid Pregnancy.” Contact Quarterly, Vol. 2, Spring 1991.

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Grants and Awards (Artistic & Academic)

2009–2022 – Private fundraising totaling $7,500 for Air Dance Bernasconi performances
2008 – $12,500 Seed Grant, East Tennessee State University, Aerial Dance Workshop Development
2006 – $1,200 Towson University Faculty Development Grant, research for Aerial Dance book/DVD
2004 – $1,300 Sophia Morton Foundation Grant, Air Dance Bernasconi
2003 – $28,000 Private Donation from West Bronlow, Air Dance Bernasconi
2003 – $3,800 Private Donations, Air Dance Bernasconi
1999 – $1,200 Human Resource Commission, Boulder, CO, Forces of Ability
1999 – $2,000 Colorado Council on the Arts, Forces of Ability
1999 – $1,500 Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD), Boulder County, Forces of Ability in the Schools
1999 – $1,500 Boulder Arts Commission, Forces of Ability
1998 – $5,600 Theresa Foundation, Artsability
1998 – $2,300 Boulder Arts Commission, Forces of Ability
1997 – $1,000 Theresa Foundation, Artsability
1997 – $1,200 Boulder Arts Commission, Forces of Ability
1996 – $2,000 Theresa Foundation, Artsability
1996 – $400 Arts and Humanities Assembly of Boulder, Artsability
1995 – $300 Vermont Council on the Arts, video production grant
1995 – $5,000 NEA “Voices of Youth,” Artsability for Children with Disabilities
1994 – $6,500 NEA “Voices of Youth” Grant, Artsability founding support
1992 – $1,000 Burlington City Arts, premiere of Forces of Ability workshop
1992 – $300 Very Special Arts Vermont, Forces of Ability
1992 – $300 Vermont Council on the Arts, to support guest artist Emery Blackwell
1991 – $500 Vermont Council on the Arts Fellowship, choreographic achievement
1990–1995 – Arts in Education Grant, Vermont Council on the Arts
1990–1995 – Touring Artist Grant, Vermont Council on the Arts
1986 – Certified Performing Artist-in-the-Schools, New York, NY

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Honor
2022 – Commencement Speaker, Baltimore Lab School

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Dance Training

Extensive training in modern, ballet, improvisation, contact improvisation, and aerial techniques. Master teachers include: with Alwin Nikolais, Murray Louis, Hanya Holm, Eiko and Koma, Laura Glenn, Martha Eddy, Irene Dowd, Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen, Steve Paxton and many others. Participated in residencies and festivals including The Yard (Martha’s Vineyard), White Mountains Summer Dance Festival, and the Nikolais/Louis Dance Lab (NYC).

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Yoga Background

Yoga practitioner since 1988 with training in Kripalu, Ashtanga, and ParaYoga traditions. Initiated into the Sri Vidya tradition of the Himalayan Masters in 2012. Pilgrimages to India (2016) and Brazil (2014) to study in depth and gain knowledge from the Masters of the Himalayan tradition.

Most influential teachers include Ketul Arnold, Richard Freeman, Yogarupa Rod Stryker, Pandit Rajmani Tigunait and Ishan Tigunait.