As an undergrad, Daria “Toni” Clarke ’21 set aside ambitions to be a dermatologist or veterinarian for her first love, dance. Upon graduation, she set her sights on the Garth Fagan Dance company, based in upstate New York. Her professor and mentor, Dr. Janet Lilly(Professor of Dance), had sent her a flier on tryouts. 

“This is a modern dance company with African, Caribbean, ballet, and post-modern aesthetics!” Clarke explains. 

The company was founded by Garth Fagan, the Tony award-winning choreographer who brought Disney’s The Lion King to life on the Broadway stage through dance and puppetry.

When Clarke was called for three days of auditions, she was elated. But it was a trial by fire. On the final day, Garth Fagan himself was on hand to make a decision. She was hired!

Clarke will be performing with Garth Fagan Dance as part of the UNC Greensboro Concert & Lecture Series, and will participate in a masterclass with School of Dance students.  It will be her first time back to UNCG since graduation.

Garth Fagan Masterclass

April 4th @ 2pm

201A Coleman Building

Class for selected dance majors, but open to all UNCG students to attend

Garth Fagan Dance Public Performance

April 5th @ 8pm

UNCG Auditorium

Tickets can be purchased at ucls.uncg.edu

By Mike Harris and Terri Relos
Photography by Steven Pisano