Dance alum returns to campus for guest residency

George Mason University alumnus Robert Rubama, BFA Dance ’18, was on the Fairfax Campus for a guest residency this spring semester. During their time on campus, Rubama worked with School of Dance students to help stage and rehearse choreographer Yue Yin's "Through the Fracture of Light," which the students will perform at the Dance Gala Concert on March 28 and 29 at 8 p.m. at the Center for the Arts.

Rubama performed a Yin piece as a George Mason student and later worked for and toured with the Yue Yin Dance Company (YYDC), performing “Through the Fracture of Light.” Yin’s work showcases a technique she created, the FoCo Technique, which is a contemporary form of dance movement rooted in Chinese classical and folk dance “melded with the diverse influences of the immigrant experience.” 

Rubama shared their professional experience with students during the residency. “While assisting [YYDC’s rehearsal director] Grace Whitworth in restaging the piece, I focused on providing the dancers with tips to navigate a work as physically rigorous as Yin's,” they said. “I emphasized the importance of connecting to their breath and managing their energy while performing. Additionally, I wanted to share safe ways to execute the movements that respected the choreographer's intent while honoring the individual needs of the dancers, as everyone is different.”

Rubama has worked with the Metropolitan Opera, Haus of Bambi, Groundworks Dance Theater, Orange Grove Dance, Flockworks Dance, and the Mark Morris Dance Group, and was an artist in residence at the National Building Museum, the Floor on Atlantic, and the Homeport Art House. 

As an independent choreographer, Rubama’s work has been performed by Company E Dance, Spark Movement Collective, Bucknell University, Cleveland Dance Project, Jane Franklin Dance, Luna Dance Company, and Terre Dance Collective. 

During their time at George Mason, Rubama said they valued many of the opportunities at the School of Dance provided, including the chance to choreograph for peers and performing in the annual gala. “These opportunities taught me how to lead rehearsals effectively and ethically, how to articulate my creative vision through both words and movement, and the necessary skills for working in a rehearsal environment,” they said. “I also learned the importance of being a cover or understudy for a piece.”

Rubama also was candid with the students about working as a professional. “As a professional artist, my work encompasses performing, choreographing, arts administration, and teaching, all while balancing a non-dance job,” they said. “I maintain balance by being clear about scheduling with those I work with, establishing boundaries about my workload, and making financially sound choices.”

When providing advice to current dance students, Rubama encouraged them to be curious. “During your time at George Mason, you will encounter various perspectives on movement,” they said. “If certain approaches resonate with you, engage with that professor or guest artist to explore those ideas further. If you have interests outside of dance, pursue those as well (in areas like marketing, arts administration, photography, or videography). These additional skills can intersect with your work in dance.” 

The opportunity to work with guest artists and contemporary choreographers is a critical part of career preparation for dance majors. Nearly 80% of the class of 2024 received contracts with major dance companies within months of graduation. And as Susan Shields, director of the School of Dance, asserts—the graduates are also excellent “dance citizens” when out there in the professional world.

“The School of Dance has the most generous alums. They are trained to be excellent dance citizens, and we appreciate that they have represented our values so beautifully in the professional world,” said Shields, herself a George Mason alum. “Whenever they return, they offer more than dance steps. They share insights, connections, and even offer a couch to sleep on if needed. To watch your former student teach a current student, well....any professor knows that is probably one of the most gratifying experiences one can hope for in the profession."