Established at the University of Georgia Department of Dance in 1991 by founding artistic director Bala Sarasvati, CORE Contemporary and Aerial Dance serves as a training base for dancers expanding their performance potential for a professional career in dance and the aerial arts. In the past twenty years the aerial dance component (silks, slings, lyra, trapeze, bungee and more) evolved - deriving the new name, which was formerly CORE Concert Dance Company.

 

The focus of the performance presentation format evolved from main stage concerts into nonstop multimedia shows that combine contemporary and aerial dance with digital media and often with an interdisciplinary theme. The full-evening shows or excerpts are provided for university, community, regional, national and international events as well as outreach in the schools. 

 

CORE has been invited to perform for numerous festivals, conferences, and adjudicated for gala events including five performances for Piccolo Spoleto, Beijing International Arts Festival, National ACDA held the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Choreografic Center of the City of Rio de Janeiro, World Dance Alliance Global Event 2010, NYC, World Dance Alliance 2013, Vancouver, Canada, LIMS MOSAIC Events (2014, 2015 and 2016) and major cities throughout China. In addition, CORE has performed several special events coordinated through UGA’s President’s Office including the Fourth Annual Regents' Awards for Excellence in Education, Celebration of Support (2009), Hyatt Regency, Atlanta, GA, 2010 UGA Celebration of Support at the Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta and the Alumni Association Leadership Assembly (2013) . 

 

The company has performed choreography by guest artists including Bebe Miller, Karen Eliot, Bill Young & Colleen Thomas, Molissa Fenley, Alwin Nikolais, Carlos Orta, Sean Curran, Susan Murphy, Elsie Smith, Larry Kegwin, Joanna Mendl Shaw, Matt and Emily Kent (Pilobolus Dance Theatre), Mario Vircha, Charlotte Boye-Christensen, Ririe Woodbury Dance Company, Compañía Nacional de Danza Costa Rica. Aerial training has been provided by Susan Murphy and Julie Phillips (CANOPY), Elsie and Serenity Smith (NECCA - New England Center for Circus Arts) and Meaghan Muller (formerly CORE member and Cirque de Soleil) and Wendy Hesketh (WiredAerial Theatre, Liverpool, UK).