APSU’s Brian Vernon awarded 2015 Margaret Martin Award by the Tennessee Association of Dance

Clarksville, TN – Austin Peay State University associate professor and chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance Brian Vernon has been awarded the 2015 Margaret Martin Award by the Tennessee Association of Dance (TAD).

The Margaret Martin Award recognizes individuals or corporations who make long term, consistently outstanding contributions that further the public image and accessibility of dance in Tennessee. Vernon was chosen to receive the award following a unanimous selection by TAD voting members.

Before arriving at APSU in 2012, Vernon was an associate professor and director of Dance at Alabama State University, where he founded one of only two BFA Dance Programs in the state. He also founded the Dance program at the University of Central Florida during his time there as associate professor and coordinator of Dance.

As an educator, Vernon has visited South Africa six times to teach dance in underprivileged townships and choreograph for a professional South African Dance Company. He remains active and serves on the Board of Directors for several arts organizations. He has received many awards and recognitions. Special among them is The University of the Arts Outstanding Alumni Award for his work in South Africa.

Vernon will be presented with the Margaret Martin Award at the 2015 Tennessee Dance Festival, held on Saturday October 10th on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University.

The Tennessee Association of Dance is a statewide network of organizations and individual dedicated to artistic excellence and committed to ensuring that dance is a vital and respected part of life for all Tennesseans. TAD provides services that support communication, fellowship, advocacy, leadership and education for a broad-based dance constituency.

For more information on the APSU Department of Theatre and Dance, visit www.apsu.edu/theatre-dance, or call 931.221.6767.