The Fort Wayne Dance Collective announced their new artistic director Wednesday. New York based John Byrne will take on the role starting in September.
He succeeds the organization’s founding member and first director Liz Monnier who will be resigning after 36 years of service.
Byrne is a dancer and choreographer, alumnus of the Juliard School, the School of American Ballet, and North Carolina School of the Arts. His resume includes classical and modern dance, commercial work, and dance education.
He tells the Journal Gazette that he hopes to help the FWDC have a broader presence outside the state, with a potential traveling group, and opportunities to enhance dancers’ careers.