Jason Macdonald has a way of moving from one spotlight to the next — gracefully. The former Dance Theatre of Santa Fe dancer recently landed a spot with the renowned David Parsons Modern Dance Company in New York City.
Macdonald, who attended SF in 2003 and 2004, was a featured member of the dance program and a recipient of a SF College Dance Scholarship.
“I knew very early on that Jason would excel in the world of Dance,” said Alora Haynes, Academic Chair of Fine Arts.
Macdonald started dancing at age 7, when he learned jazz and tap dancing, ballet and gymnastics. Later he added hip hop to his repertoire. By age 18, he was already performing with the New York City Opera. However, he felt his ballet moves still needed some polishing.
“I chose to come to Santa Fe because I wanted to improve my ballet technique,” said Macdonald.
After graduating from SF in 2004, he spent two seasons with the Alabama Ballet, the same ballet Alora Haynes danced with.
“I thought the Alabama Ballet would be ideal for refining Jason’s ballet skills,” said Haynes.
Macdonald worked two tours dancing for Norwegian Cruise Lines before attending FSU full time. He graduated from FSU this spring after dual majoring in Dance and Finance.
Macdonald has continued to be involved in dance at SF. He worked as a substitute dance instructor for SF, and is one of the featured dancers in “Dance of My Heart,” the documentary about the late SF Resident Choreographer Alberto Alonso. That 2007 film is now in distribution and Bravo has been running it in Canada.
When the David Parsons Modern Dance Company announced openings this spring, more than 250 dancers came for the tryouts.
“I wanted to see if this was something I could do,” said Macdonald. “Parsons is known for being very technical as well as creative.”
After only a handful of auditions, Macdonald was one of three dancers signed to the company May 25.
“I am so proud of his success, ” said Haynes.
Macdonald is currently dancing in Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ “Beauty and the Beast.” He expects to move to New York in early August to start with his new troupe.
Jason is seen in this photo from 2002 dancing in the student choreographed show “Room to Dance” with DTSF dancer Jesse Mae Sawyer.
For more information about the SF Dance Program, please contact Alora Haynes at 352-395-5296 or alora.haynes@sfcollege.edu.
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