Introduction
Vera J. Blaine has been teaching composition courses at The Ohio State University Department of Dance since 1962. Her pedagogy and research in the area of composition is presented here as an online resource for educators, students and dance makers interested in the study of choreography. This site serves, not as an instruction manual, but rather as a catalyst for those finding and developing their own creative process.
Blaine's composition courses emphasize creative process, physical inquiry, and the student as active participant and observer. The content of Blaine's classes focuses on the investigation of movement invention, the sensing of one's weight, and the development of movement content and structure. View her latest course syllabus.
Peer Videos
Susan Hadley – A Colleague's Perspective
Video: Bebe Miller – Regarding Point of View
Video: Kathryn Sauma – A Student's Perspective
About Vera J. Blaine
Vera J. Blaine, an alumna of The Ohio State University, studied dance under the direction and mentorship of Helen P. Alkire, founder of the OSU Department of Dance. Blaine also studied professionally at the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance and at the Merce Cunningham Studio. Her choreography has been produced by professionals in New York, London and Israel. Under Blaine's leadership as chairperson from 1983 to 1995, The OSU Department of Dance continued to be recognized as one of the outstanding university dance departments in the United States. She was awarded the OSU Alumni Distinguished Teaching Award, was the first recipient of the Chairperson's Recognition Award at Ohio State, and in 2006, was a recipient of the University's Distinguished Service Award. A former president of OhioDance, Blaine received the 1996 OhioDance Award for contributions she has made to the development of dance in the state. As professor emerita since 1995, she teaches dance composition part-time and serves as an independent consultant for dance programs in higher education.
More about Blaine
Vera J. Blaine – Dance Background Documentary
Vera J. Blaine – According to Students and Colleagues
Project Fund
The Vera J. Blaine Special Projects Fund (305892) was established in honor of Vera J. Blaine to support creative projects in dance. Since 2002, the fund has awarded an average of $1,700 per year in small grants, annually providing 5-6 undergraduate and graduate students resources for their senior projects, MFA projects, and travel to study abroad and to present at conferences. Students gain experience with proposal writing, budget planning, event organization, entrepreneurialism, and with the support of the fund, students move beyond the borders of the campus with their creative and scholarly research.