Dance Media Group/Groupe Danse Média (DMG) – publisher of The Dance Current in print and online – announces a change to the operations leadership.
Crystal Melville, whose thoughtful, meticulous work for DMG helped usher in an exciting new era for the organization, including a growth in operations and the development of a new strategic plan, is departing DMG on April 10, 2020. DMG wishes Crystal the best in her new position and professional pursuits. As of April 14, 2020, Spenser McRae assumes the publisher role.
“The Dance Media Group board of directors is excited to reconnect with Spenser, an administrator and dance artist who will bring a breadth of experience in the sector to the publisher role,” said Timea Wharton-Suri, board chair. “We are fortunate to be joined by such a passionate individual with an existing connection to our organization. Her experience in administration, teaching, performing and fundraising will serve Spenser well as she collaborates with our stakeholders, communities of dancers, diverse publics, staff and board to help navigate the organization during and beyond the current public health crisis.”
Spenser is a Toronto-based arts administrator, dance artist and emerging writer. She holds a bachelor’s degree in dance from the University of Calgary and graduated with honours from the arts administration and cultural management program at Humber College. From 2011 to 2012, Spenser danced with Decidedly Jazz Danceworks in the pre-professional training program, and in 2014 she performed as an intern with Ombetja Yehinga Organisation’s dance troupe in Namibia. She took on an editorial internship with The Dance Current in 2017 and has since had her work published in the magazine. Her years in the arts industry have led her to teach dance across Canada, co-found and direct a performing arts fundraiser event for the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and work alongside numerous leaders in the arts management field.