Biography
Meredith Farnum is a performer, choreographer, and educator who earned her BFA in Theatre and Dance from the University of Florida where she was immersed in all genres of dance technique, composition, pedagogy, and dance/theatre studies. During this time, Meredith performed and choreographed for the student/faculty company Floridance as well as serving for a season as president of the company. In addition to faculty and student works, she was selected to perform in Isadora Duncan’s “Scherzo”, staged by guest artist Jill Sonke. Since graduating, she has danced and toured nationally and internationally, including the Netherlands where her work “Collision” was performed in Amsterdam and Utrecht. Meredith has attended master classes and intensives with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American College Dance Association, Pilobolus, Merce Cunningham, Garth Fagan, Florida Dance Masters, Atlanta Ballet, Lines Ballet, Wash Ashore Dance Ensemble, and many others.
Meredith has an MFA in Choreography from Jacksonville University where she worked with artists from around the world as well as participated in the global dance event 72D7, which was organized by Ana Sanchez-Colberg and the Theatre en Corps Collectif. Her research is centered on exploring individual experiences through time-consciousness and developmental movement patterns. Meredith is also a member of the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO) and the American Association for University Women (AAUW).
Meredith has performed for over two decades with the Danscompany of Gainesville. She has been cast in multiple solos, duets, quartets and ensemble pieces in Cinderella, Cats, and The Wiz. During the annual Spring Concert, she has performed as well as choreographed modern, jazz and ballet pieces from award-winning choreographers, including Lea Darwin, Nina Cameron, and Peggy Nolan Lamb. Meredith has contributed as a rehearsal coach staging repertory for Cinderella and The Wiz. As a choreographer, she has worked with talented and devoted dancers creating original modern, ballet, and jazz pieces such as “Quarter ’til”, “Strings”, “A Glimmer…”, and “Ebb and Flow”.
As a dance educator, Meredith has taught community classes for the City of Gainesville as well as programs at Santa Fe College such as College for Kids, Adults with Disabilities, and Community Education. She has been an instructor for Cameron Dancenter since 1996, teaching all ages and levels of modern, ballet, jazz, and hip hop. She is also currently an adjunct lecturer at the School of Theatre and Dance at the University of Florida where she has taught since 1997, developing her pedagogical practice. Utilizing her diverse knowledge of dance and theater, Meredith has inspired students ranging from novice dancers and athletes to musical theater and dance majors.