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Minnesota Dance Consort Launches to Mentor and Support Minnesota Dance Makers


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Saint Paul, MN — July 25, 2025— Minnesota Dance Consort (MDC), a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by choreographer and educator Raymond D. Terrill, officially launches as a collaborative platform to mentor and support choreographers in Minnesota. MDC’s mission is to provide the resources, guidance, and opportunities that dance makers need to create meaningful work and build sustainable careers.


MDC offers a consortium model that brings artists together to share production resources, develop new choreography, and expand opportunities for community engagement. Its inaugural season will include PULSE/impulse, a choreographer showcase highlighting emerging and mid-career artists.


Terrill, who for the last 10 years produced the Dances at the Lake Festival and was involved in its founding and growth from the beginning, recently handed off leadership of the festival to KASM Dance Collective (Katy Becker, Sarah Hauss, Allie Retterrath, and McKayla Murphy Zelaya) to ensure its continued success. With MDC, Terrill is focusing on mentoring and supporting choreographers through new pathways for collaboration, professional growth, and resource-sharing.


Terrill is currently mentoring emerging choreographers Tessa Longshore and Lillian Kline, both of whom are expected to have signicicant roles in MDC’s future projects. This hands-on mentorship exemplifies MDC’s commitment to preparing the next generation of choreographers to navigate the nonprofit landscape and succeed as creative leaders.


As a fourth-generation artistic descendant of modern dance pioneer Mary Wigman, Terrill’s lineage runs through Margret Dietz, Judith Catterall, and David Harrington. This heritage informs his teaching of classical Wigman technique and foundational courses such as Fundamental Movement. Other MDC-affiliated artists will expand course offerings to reflect their own areas of expertise. MDC is actively seeking partnerships with funders, arts organizations, and community stakeholders to support its inaugural season and mentorship programs. Through performances, education, and hands-on career guidance, MDC aims to build a stronger, more resilient ecosystem for dance in Minnesota.


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