Established in 1993, Dance Umbrella strives to support dance education, provide performance opportunities, and enrich cultural arts awareness and appreciation in Coos and Curry Counties. Our pre-professional company, South Coast Dance Project (formerly Ballet Pacific), is audition-based and averages 8 to 15 contracted non-compensated dancers from local dance schools. DUSCO fundraises each year to provide scholarship money for dancers to attend summer intensive programs outside the local area and to bring master teachers to our area.
In year’s past, DUSCO has sponsored Eugene Ballet Company’s Nutcracker at the Hales Center for the Performing Arts, which gave local young dancers an opportunity to dance on stage with professionals. In 2012, DUSCO started hosting an evening of dance in the form of a Gala which included guest performing companies, including Eugene Youth Ballet and Portland Youth Ballet. It has since become an annual event. In 2013, DUSCO implemented our first educational outreach program, which became a yearly offering until 2019. Plans to re-establish an Outreach program are in the works.
Mission
Dance Umbrella for South Coast Oregon (DUSCO) is dedicated to the art of dance. We promote dance education through workshops, scholarships, and performances. We support dance as a performing art through our pre-professional company.
Board Members
- Kim Leberti, president
- Michelle Nicolaus, vice president
- Alex Zenzuni, secretary
- Lisa Porter, treasurer
- Becki Petenbrink
- Pam Chaney
- Audra Geving
- Elizabeth Peterson
- Joyel Moore
- Alison Bingham
- Christine Rader, artistic director
- Maria Alison Rosman, co-artistic director
Lindsay Gumaskas, Artistic Director
Lindsay began dancing at age 3 in Anaheim, California. Growing up in Southern California, she was a competitive dancer starting at the age of 12. She competed locally and nationally in Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Ballet, and Hip Hop. Lindsay earned top awards for choreography and performance, including dancing in London with the United Spirit Association. She started choreographing for her high school dance team and setting pieces for annual showcases. While in high school, Lindsay was co-captain of her high school dance team, where her choreography earned first and second place trophies in the Small Jazz category. She also continued competitive dance with her home studio, Stage One, in Fullerton, California, where she studied Jazz, Tap, Ballet/Pointe, Lyrical and Hip Hop.
Connie Hogge, Founding Artistic Director
Connie Hogge trained with Ballet Master Robert Irwin from 1960-1970. She performed principle roles in both classic and original ballets. Connie went on to study and perform ballet, modern dance, folk dance, and pre-classic dance as part of the University of Oregon Dance Department. Connie has continued training with classes and teaching seminars throughout the United States including the Zena Rommett Floor Barre Technique™ Certification 2008. Connie has been an instructor of classical ballet and pointe since 1972. She was Dance Program Director for Crossroads Creative and Performing Arts Center from 1973-1986, Program Director for Pacific Dance Spectrum 1991-1995, Program/Curriculum Director for Pacific School of Dance 1995-current. Connie has Choreographed several one act ballets and has worked as choreographer for musical theater. Connie was Artistic Director and Choreographer for Dance Umbrella Repertory Company from 1993-2009 and Co-Artistic Director of Ballet Pacific from 2009-2013.