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TIP-OFF Oct. 25, 2002 ALUMNUS MEL A. TOMLINSON TO SPEAK AT NCSA’s FAMILY WEEKEND Acclaimed Dancer Now Teaches -- and Preaches
WINSTON-SALEM – Acclaimed dancer Mel A. Tomlinson, an alumnus of the North Carolina School of the Arts, will return to his alma mater on Saturday, Nov. 2, as the keynote speaker for the School’s annual Family Weekend. Once the toast of New York’s elite dance world, Tomlinson, 48, of Charlotte, has a new career – that of minister. He recently received his master’s degree and doctorate from Carolina University of Theology, and preached his first sermon, at New Jerusalem Baptist Church in Winston-Salem. He also continues to use his expertise as a dancer, guest teaching extensively. A native of Raleigh, Tomlinson attended NCSA for his senior year of high school, graduating in 1972, and graduated from college just two years later, in 1974, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. After school, he danced with the Agnes de Mille Heritage Dance Theatre, the Dance Theatre of Harlem, and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater before joining New York City Ballet in 1981. His debut in Balanchine’s “Agon” was hailed as the “performance of the year” by critic Anna Kisselgoff. He became a soloist with NYCB in 1982. In 1983, he danced for the gala opening of the School’s Stevens Center, and received the North Carolina Prize. In 1987, he retired from NYCB, and returned to North Carolina, where he served on the NCSA School of Dance faculty and danced with North Carolina Dance Theater. He moved with the company to Charlotte, and later danced with Boston Ballet before retiring again in 1993. Parents and family members attending the Nov. 2 program will register at 8:45 a.m. in the BB&T Lobby of the School of Filmmaking Studio Village on the NCSA campus, located at 1533 S. Main St., Winston-Salem. The program will begin with a welcome and introductions at 9:30 a.m. Tomlinson will speak at approximately 9:40 a.m. Following Tomlinson’s address, family members will be able to attend various presentations and group discussions. The five arts schools will hold open houses for the families during the afternoon, and parents may have conferences with General Studies faculty members. More than 300 people have already signed up to attend NCSA’s Family Weekend, which is organized annually by the Division of Student Life and runs Nov. 1-3. Parents may visit with their children and attend student performances during the remainder of the weekend. Media: This is a ticketed event and is not open to the general public. For more information about covering Mr. Tomlinson’s address, please contact Marla Carpenter at 336-770-3337 in the public relations office at NCSA. Because of the overwhelming response to the weekend, the location of Mr. Tomlinson’s address is TBA. ###
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TIP-OFF Oct. 25, 2002

ALUMNUS MEL A. TOMLINSON TO SPEAK AT NCSA’s FAMILY WEEKEND
Acclaimed Dancer Now Teaches -- and Preaches

WINSTON-SALEM – Acclaimed dancer Mel A. Tomlinson, an alumnus of the North Carolina School of the Arts, will return to his alma mater on Saturday, Nov. 2, as the keynote speaker for the School’s annual Family Weekend.

Once the toast of New York’s elite dance world, Tomlinson, 48, of Charlotte, has a new career – that of minister. He recently received his master’s degree and doctorate from Carolina University of Theology, and preached his first sermon, at New Jerusalem Baptist Church in Winston-Salem. He also continues to use his expertise as a dancer, guest teaching extensively.

A native of Raleigh, Tomlinson attended NCSA for his senior year of high school, graduating in 1972, and graduated from college just two years later, in 1974, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. After school, he danced with the Agnes de Mille Heritage Dance Theatre, the Dance Theatre of Harlem, and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater before joining New York City Ballet in 1981. His debut in Balanchine’s “Agon” was hailed as the “performance of the year” by critic Anna Kisselgoff. He became a soloist with NYCB in 1982. In 1983, he danced for the gala opening of the School’s Stevens Center, and received the North Carolina Prize.

In 1987, he retired from NYCB, and returned to North Carolina, where he served on the NCSA School of Dance faculty and danced with North Carolina Dance Theater. He moved with the company to Charlotte, and later danced with Boston Ballet before retiring again in 1993.

Parents and family members attending the Nov. 2 program will register at 8:45 a.m. in the BB&T Lobby of the School of Filmmaking Studio Village on the NCSA campus, located at 1533 S. Main St., Winston-Salem. The program will begin with a welcome and introductions at 9:30 a.m. Tomlinson will speak at approximately 9:40 a.m.

Following Tomlinson’s address, family members will be able to attend various presentations and group discussions. The five arts schools will hold open houses for the families during the afternoon, and parents may have conferences with General Studies faculty members.

More than 300 people have already signed up to attend NCSA’s Family Weekend, which is organized annually by the Division of Student Life and runs Nov. 1-3. Parents may visit with their children and attend student performances during the remainder of the weekend.

Media: This is a ticketed event and is not open to the general public. For more information about covering Mr. Tomlinson’s address, please contact Marla Carpenter at 336-770-3337 in the public relations office at NCSA. Because of the overwhelming response to the weekend, the location of Mr. Tomlinson’s address is TBA.

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