People
Staff
Administrative Staff
Kendall Simpson (Music Operations Administrator) has composed original scores for several Atlanta-area theatre productions, including Red Scare on Sunset and The Enchanted April at Theatre in the Square; Romeo and Juliet, A Winter's Tale, The Tempest at Georgia Shakespeare Festival; Night and Her Stars, Kindertransport' Born Guilty and The Golem at Jewish Theatre of the South, The Invisible Man at Georgia Ensemble Theatre and A Hole in the Dark at Horizon Theater. Simpson's most recent work for dance, Papillon, was premiered by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra with Lee Harper and Dancers. Also working in film, Simpson has scored several independent films including the "The Etiquette Man." which has received top honors at several film festivals. Recent television credits include various pieces for Sesame Street. For the concert stage, Simpson has been commissioned to write works for piano and various chamber ensembles.
Email: ksimpso@emory.edu
Phone: 404-727-7804
Anne Walker (Office Manager) holds a B.A. in studio art and art history from St. Olaf College. She has an interest in all the arts, including dance. Walker has worked at Emory since 1998, as Assistant Director of Development for the Rollins School of Public Health and Program Coordinator for the Center for the Study of Public Scholarship, before joining the Dance Program in 2005. Outside of her job at Emory, she runs Anne Walker Studio, a business selling her handcrafted sterling silver jewelry.
Email: awalker@emory.edu
Phone: 404-727-7266
Jonida Beqo (Costume Designer and Costume Shop Coordinator) divides her time between the Emory Dance and Emory Theatre Costume Shops. Jonida completed her studies in Theatre at the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a concentration in Costume Design. She has worked and designed for a variety of professional companies of both theatre and dance such as Alabama Ballet, 13th Street Ensemble, Birmingham Festival Theatre, Horizon Theatre, as well as a number of academic stages such as UAB Theatre, Georgia State Theatre, and Calhoun Theatre. She also continues to perform and create in community projects and is currently ranked second in the world in the Women of the World Poetry Slam. See her website at: www.jonidabeqo.com
Email: jbeqo@emory.edu
Phone: 404-727-4085
Dance Musicians
David Decaminada, originally from Columbus, Ohio, has been involved with ballet and modern dance as a piano accompanist in Atlanta since 1984. His associations include the Atlanta Ballet, Atlanta School of Ballet, Agnes Scott College, Carl Ratcliff Dancers, Georgia State University, and S.E.R.B.A. In Ohio he accompanied dance at Ohio State University and the Ballet Metropolitan. His background as pianist includes Columbus Ohio Association for Performing Arts, Warner Cable, St. Thomas More, and Women's Glee Club. Decaminada accompanies classes in ballet, modern and jazz technique in the Emory Dance Program.
Joanie Ferguson, drums and percussion, is originally from Niles, Michigan. Ferguson has an extensive background as a touring and recording musician with several different artists. She has shared the stage with notables Edwin McCain, Sister Hazel, Better Than Ezra, Spin Doctors, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Toto, Randy Bachman (BTO) and Blue Oyster Cult. Joanie accompanies classes in modern and jazz for both the Emory University Dance Program and Agnes Scott College.
Klimchak is a composer, percussionist, and performer. Recent music/performance credits for theatrical productions include live music/performance for The War in Heaven, written by Sam Shepard and Joe Chaikin at Seven Stages in Atlanta, and a live score for No Exit at Le Neon Theater in Washington DC. He is the Composer-in-Residence for GardenHouse Dance Company and has composed music for many other choreographers. His dance music has been performed most recently at Die Werkstatt in Dusseldorf, Die Brotfabrik in Bonn, and Bovenzaal Staddsschouwburg in Amsterdam. Klimchak's last solo performance show, Off the Beaten Path, has been performed for PBS and released as an audio cassette. He accompanies classes in modern and jazz technique, and has composed musical scores for Emory faculty and students. Klimchak's music is available at http://www.cdbaby.com/klimchak.
Email: jklimch@emory.edu