Judy Milner
Artistic Director
Lake Orion,MI
Summary
History of managing successful programs by fostering and building relationships built on trust and common goals for ensuring that ALL students have access to a world class education. Recognizing students and their families as essential to the reason to strive and thrive for not only academic excellence but overall well being as human beings. Strong background in all aspects of performing arts, administration and production has afforded many opportunities to be creative while staying connected to resources and opportunities that benefit students. An innovative decision-maker always in pursuit of how to generate and motivate forward thinking management, and program operations, with 15 years in progressive roles with public schools, charter schools, studios and universities. Refined interpersonal relationship-building skills and experience working collaboratively with various departments, communications with employees, vendors, administration and customer-facing sales staff. Resourceful Artistic Director with Bachelor of Arts degree and extensive performing arts background. Directed numerous international performances and facilitated mentoring program for high school dance students. Creative, communications and business management skills leading to outstanding results.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification in PE/Dance
1
1
Cross-cultural, Language & Academic Development (CLAD) Certifica
Work History
Artistic Director
Eisenhower Dance Detroit
Bloomfield Hills, MI
08.2023 - Current
- Conducted needs assessments or surveys to determine interest in or satisfaction with wellness and fitness programs, events or services.
- Leadership
● Develop vision and annual program budget in coordination with EDD Artistic Director
and Executive Director
● Oversee and run rehearsals
● Act as a spokesperson for the youth ensemble’s artistic purpose via speaking
engagements, public and social appearances, press and marketing events, fundraising
events and solicitations
● Foster the development of good relations with other student organizations by
participating in meetings and joint activities where appropriate
● Network with potential collaborators
● In coordination with EDD Artistic Director, facilitate the maintenance, development and
review of the EDDYE philosophy
● Advocate for the dancers and teachers
● Be aware of what is happening in the field, current trends and the political climate.
Learn of best practices of other organizations and determine if it is something you can
duplicate or modify.
Responsibilities/Management
● Create rehearsal schedules from week to week
● Attend Weekly meetings
○ Director meeting 9:30-10:30 am on Tuesdays
○ Staff meeting every other week on Wednesdays 9:30-10:30 am
○ Marketing meeting (when needed) Wednesday at 10:30-11:30 am
● Book master classes and guest choreographers
● Meet with Assistant Directors biweekly to ensure a cohesive plan between companies
particularly during Nutcracker season.
● Ensure all costumes are selected and ordered in a timely manner before performances
for all student companies.
● Responsible for all email communications with student company parents to ensure
cohesive information sharing.
● Develop artistic plan in collaboration with EDD Artistic Director and School Directors
● Develop, update, and report on budgets for each event.
● Coordinate billing for events with School Directors to implement
● Manage and serve as lead contact for EDDYE events listed but not limited to:
○ Auditions
○ Boot camp
○ Nutcracker
○ Meet the Dancers
○ Youth America Grand Prixe
○ Regional Dance America
○ Dance Mosaics
○ EDD Company performance
○ Renew (student choreography showcase)
○ Spring Showcase
○ Detroit Country Day School Showcase
○ Fundraisers
○ Guest Choreographer residencies
○ Students meetings
● Schedule and attend individual check in meetings with EDDYE 1st and 2nd company
members.
Personnel
● Assemble the artistic and technical teams required to undertake the work defined in the
programs
● Manage and coordinate with staff and dancers for the EDDYE company auditions
● Attend/run all auditions
● Contact dancers to offer positions, be clear regarding contract, commitment, and
responsibilities. Contact dancers that were not accepted.
Production (with TD and Costume staff)
● Frequently review and update production budgets and schedules. All communication
with theatres must be in writing.
● Keep tech rehearsals on schedule
● Organize the transportation of equipment and costumes to and from the theater
● Stay on top of costume plans and make sure costume staff have enough time to do their
work effectively. Give them early deadlines...at least one week in advance of
performances.
● Oversee orderly costume storage and annual cleaning/purge.
Program Manager and Certified Dance Teacher
Silver Creek High School
San Jose, CA
09.2015 - 03.2023
- Promoted rapidly through series of increasingly responsible management positions based on strong creative, operating, and team leadership performance
- Planned, prepared and delivered lesson plans introducing students to various dance techniques.
- Created healthy and safe learning environment for all students by implementing class rules and promoting mutual respect and gentle discipline.
- Currently manage 150-plus students grades 9-12
- Increased student enrollment
- Develop strategies to recruit, train, and retain technically skilled dancers with open house and feeder school live promotional visits
- Implemented program for next-generation choreographers and dancers to advance to higher learning institutions and potential professional dance careers
- Developed Honor Society for Dance Arts as part of dance program
- Choreograph for annual events: Homecoming, Winter Concert, National Dance Week, Santana Row Dance Festival, Spring Concert.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
Artistic Director
UC Berkeley/Cal Performances, Ailey Camp
Berkeley, CA
01.2019 - 03.2021
- Created arts organization's seasonal performance and exhibition program and selected performers and artists for upcoming events.
- Plan, organize, and implement Ailey Camp programs, including staff training, camp classes, performance, guest artists, and field trips
- Conceive, structure and implement overall artistic content of Ailey Camp
- Produce final camp performance
- Promote safe, supportive, and enjoyable camp environment that adopts best practices in arts education
- Create staff training with Guidance Counselor and Managing Director that fosters developmentally appropriate student-centered, culturally-responsive, creative instruction
- Achieved individual and troupe success through enhanced collaborative and communications skills.
- In collaboration with managing director, supervise employee performance, career development and adherence to job standards
- Select, train and supervise staff and volunteers
- Supervise Ailey Camp staff in all areas of instruction and management for success of program.
- Monitor class content and faculty demeanor to ensure consistency with goals of Ailey Camp
- Work with Cal Performance’ Director of Artistic Planning, Director of Education and Community
- Programs, and Ailey Camp staff to establish goals
- Periodically consult with National Director of Ailey Camp
- Supervise inventory, storage, budget and maintenance of Ailey Camp equipment
- Ensure compliance with assigned budget and make budget recommendations to Director of Education and Community Programs for assigned activities/programs
- Participate in development, management, and implementation of program budget for Ailey Camp
- Keeping within budget constraints, coordinate all aspects of Ailey Camp relating to physical set-up of camp site
- Schedule use of facilities for Ailey Camp programs and work with Cal Performances and/or venue rental staff to coordinate and communicate venue use for scheduled activities
- Create monthly, weekly and daily camp and class schedules
- Community Outreach
- Assist with appropriate public relations and promotional programs
- Serves as key spokesperson for Ailey Camp
- Represent University and Cal Performances to increase Ailey Camp visibility in community
- Present on Ailey Camp at local middle and high schools, and work with school administrators and counselors to identify prospective student participants with special focus on at risk youth for Ailey Camp
- Build relationships and serve as liaison with volunteers & supporters
- Partner with school districts, education programs, and community organizations on cooperative initiatives for mutual benefit of all parties.
Manager
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre
New York, NY
06.2012 - 08.2015
- Coached and led 15-20 employees
- Onboarded new employees with training and new hire documentation.
- Managed daily operations of boutique: bookkeeping, inventory, Educated customers on products and provided customized solutions for increased sales of Alvin Ailey brand of products
- Drove sales by focusing on customer service, merchandising, and teamwork
- Managed & coached work-study students who were in Ailey School: recruiting, training, orienting, assign duties and scheduling
- Cut operating budget 20% by implementing cost-saving initiatives
- Received “Top Manager” award.
- Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes.
- Adjusted job assignments and schedules to keep pace with dynamic business needs, factoring in processes, employee knowledge and customer demands.
- Maximized performance by monitoring daily activities and mentoring team members.
Director/Department Chair & Lead Teacher
Winans Academy Of Performing Arts
Detroit, MI
08.2004 - 06.2012
- Worked closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to strategically affect operational direction.
- Hired and directed teams to achieve daily and long-term operations and business goals.
- Reinforced and maintained culture of high achievement by focusing on discipline as opportunity for learning, growth and community-building.
- Observed, coached and mentored department staff.
- Planned and executed professional development sessions for department faculty and staff.
- Stayed abreast of developments within performing arts to improve curriculum, develop new research and share with colleagues and students
- Reviewed program materials and coordinated updates to keep department materials relevant and accurate.
Education
Masters - Educational, Instructional, And Curriculum Supervision
University of Detroit Mercy
Detroit, MI05.2008
Bachelor of Arts - Dance Teacher Education
Marygrove College
Detroit, MI05.2004
Skills
- Dance Education
- Management
- Research
- Strategic Planning
- Fundraising, Event Planning, Community Outreach, Communications
- Microsoft Office, Zoom, Adobe Acrobat Pro, G-Suite
- I-Movie, GoDaddy, Square space, Canvas, Team Work, Social Media Platforms,
- RenWeb ,Parent Locker, Canvas & School Loop
- Vendor Relations and Negotiation
- Employee Trainer
- Department Leadership
- Student Motivation and Engagement
- Curriculum Coordination
Affiliations
NDEO: National Dance Education Organization
IABD: International Association of Blacks In Dance
CTA: California Teachers Association
Certification
California Single Subject Teaching Credential - 06/21/24
CLAD Permit (Cross Cultural) - 12/31/99
Timeline
Artistic Director
Eisenhower Dance Detroit
08.2023 - Current
Artistic Director
UC Berkeley/Cal Performances, Ailey Camp
01.2019 - 03.2021
Program Manager and Certified Dance Teacher
Silver Creek High School
09.2015 - 03.2023
Manager
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre
06.2012 - 08.2015
Director/Department Chair & Lead Teacher
Winans Academy Of Performing Arts
08.2004 - 06.2012
Masters - Educational, Instructional, And Curriculum Supervision
University of Detroit Mercy
Bachelor of Arts - Dance Teacher Education
Marygrove College