Paul Gordon Emerson (Artistic Director) moved to Washington for what was supposed to be a brief stopover while waiting for his first posting in the U.S. Foreign Service. He ended up serving as Legislative Director to the late Thomas M. Foglietta (D-PA) for seven years and liaison to the House Armed Services Committee. Mr. Emerson has worked on more than 20 federal campaigns, including races for the White House, Senate, and House of Representatives. He is a published author on defense and foreign policy, and is a former radio broadcaster, having served as a news director, disk jockey, and sports announcer for several radio stations in Ohio. Mr. Emerson has traveled nationally as a professional photographer, specializing in industrial photography. He has worked as a journeyman in construction and design and dabbles in bronze as a sculptor. He served as Executive Director for CityDance Ensemble from 1996-2004 and has been Artistic Director since 2000. During his tenure with CityDance Ensemble, the company has been named a “Top 25 To Watch” worldwide by Dance Magazine, won the 2003 DC Mayors Arts Award for Outstanding Emerging Artist and the 2005 DC Mayor’s Arts Award for Innovation in the Arts, created one of the largest and most successful education outreach programs in the region, launched CityDance FilmWORKS, and opened the CityDance Centers at Strathmore and Mt. Vernon Square. In 2006, Mr. Emerson received the Pola Nirenska Award for Artistic Excellence in Dance. He is the co-host of the Award Winning "Performance Moves" television news magazine, which airs on Montgomery County Cable in Maryland. His God children Aidan and Nathan are his real pride and joy. (top)

Christopher K. Morgan (Rehearsal Director & Choreographer-in-Residence), who is said to possess "originality and a gift" by The San Diego Union Tribune, has had choreography commissioned/presented in Germany, Lithuania, Ireland, Poland, Hong Kong, and throughout the U.S.  The artistic director of New York pick-up company Muse, he has garnered support from the Jerome Foundation, Dance Ireland, Asian American Dance Performances, Dance Theater Workshop and the Brooklyn Arts Exchange. A respected teacher, credits include the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts, Shawbrook (Ireland), Iwanson Schule (Munich), Stephens College & Western Kentucky University. He has lectured and spoken on panels for the Alliance of Artist Communities, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, New York City Ballet’s Education Department, and Dance Theater Workshop (New York). A veteran performer, Christopher's credits include David Gordon, Liz Lerman Dance Exchange, Fabulous Beast Dance Theater (UK), Malashock Dance & Company, Verb Ballets, Selfish Shellfish (Germany), Pilobolus Creative Services and as a soloist with the Washington National, Houston Grand, and New York City Operas. A skilled facilitator committed to artist development, Christopher also directs the Omi International Dance Collective, an annual 3-week residency for professional international dancer/choreographers that takes place in upstate New York. (top)

Clifton B. Brockington (Music Director) holds a B.M. in Jazz Studies from Howard University and has recorded with numerous gospel artists, including Donnie McClurkin, Fred Hammond, Andre Crouch, Richard Smallwood, and Israel, along with Mo’ Horns Ensemble. In addition to performing in 30+ cities in the United States, this native Washingtonian has traveled to Japan, London, St. Croix, and the Republic of Georgia playing jazz, R&B, and gospel music. He also regularly performs salsa music with Joe Falero and the DC Latin Jazz All-Star as well as La Leyenda. Originally known as a jazz trumpeter and pianist, Mr. Brockington has evolved into a celebrated composer, arranger, and jazz educator. He co-wrote the music to the play Roll On!, which was performed by Tony Award Winner Melba Moore at The Historic Lincoln Theater in September 2006. Mr. Brockington teaches jazz piano at the Ottley Music School in Hyattsville, MD and recently completed his first CD as a featured solo artist. (top)

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CityDance in Concert:
The Songwriters
Fri June 13, 2008

An evening of dance centered around America's great songwriters

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