The Hartt School

Stephen Pier

Stephen Pier Director of Hartt Dance performed throughout the world with the Royal Danish Ballet, the Hamburg Ballet, the José Limón Company and as a guest artist. His repertoire spans a vast range including the works of Petipa, Bournonville, Balanchine, Cranko, Kylian, Limón, Neumeier and some of today’s most influential choreographers. Critically acclaimed as “a dancer of tremendous taste and insight.”, “highly defined, a tour de force”, and “one of the most gifted dancers on the modern dance scene today.” Mr. Pier has become internationally respected as a performer, choreographer, teacher, and coach for companies such as Dance Theater of Harlem, Company Wayne McGregor, Alvin Ailey, Atlanta Ballet, and the José Limón Company.

In 2004 Mr. Pier began PierGroupDance to explore and collaborate with dancers and artists in multiple art forms. He has created over 75 works for the concert stage, opera, theater, and film. Stephen was a full-time faculty member of The Juilliard School for 14 years , a f ounding member and Artistic Director of Juilliard’s innovative Mentoring Program from 2007 – 2010 and from 2008-20010 he directed American Ballet Theater’s Visions and Voices: Altria/ABT Women’s Choreography Project. He serves as a consultant/advisor for the International Association of Blacks in Dance, New Dialect, colleges, companies, and schools throughout the US and abroad including Guangxi Arts Institute where he holds the position of Guest Professor in Dance.

Stephen also serves on the board of directors for the National Association of Schools of Dance, The Hartt School, Connecticut Dance Alliance, and Ballet Hartford.

Katie Stevinson-Nollet

Katie Stevinson-Nollet, a Full Professor at the University of Hartford/Hartt School/Dance Division, teaches Contemporary Dance Forms, Composition, Repertory, Dance for Camera and directs the Senior Composition concerts. She has been at the University since Fall of 2000. Katie also served as the Artistic Director of Full Force Dance Theatre for over twenty years. Her professional experiences as performer, choreographer, and teacher, have taken her throughout the US and abroad.

Ms. Stevinson-Nollet’s choreography thrives in collaboration and delves in the exploration of the human condition. Her work has been presented at numerous venues and festivals across the country, and internationally. Collaborations and commissions include working with Hartford Symphony Orchestra at The Bushnell Performing Arts Center, Sybarite5 at the Forward Festival, with Duo Agosto with performances in Taiwan and Tokyo and with longtime collaborator Bassist Robert Black. Her work has been commissioned by San Diego Dance Theater. Other performances of her work have been seen at the Norfolk Music Festival, Jacobs Pillow inside/out, Trolley Dances San Diego, The International Arts Festival in New Haven, and various sites and venues throughout New York City.

As a performer, she was a member of San Diego Dance Theater; Isaacs McCaleb, and Dancers; Patricia Sandback and Dancers; Carolyn Dorfman and Dancers; Full Force Dance Theatre, and has enjoyed performing the work of multiple independent choreographers.

Stevinson-Nollet holds a B.A. in Dance from San Diego State University, an M.F.A. in Dance from the University of Michigan, and a Certificate from the London Contemporary Dance School.