The Dobbins Conservatory of Theatre and Dance will host the 2026 Winter Dance Collection February 5-7 at 7:30 p.m. and February 8 at 2 p.m. in Bedell Performance Hall, showcasing works that invite audience participants to connect through shared human experiences expressed through movement.
The Winter Dance Collection is under the direction of Michael Lomeka, assistant professor of Musical Theatre and Commercial Dance and coordinator of the dance program at SEMO. Lomeka joined the Dobbins Conservatory in August after a career on stage.
Lomeka is a Juilliard-trained dancer who earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from The Juilliard School under the direction of Benjamin Harkarvy and went on to build an acclaimed international performing career. After graduating, he joined the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of “The King & I,” as an original cast member and appeared Off-Broadway in “A Christmas Carol” at Madison Square Garden, working with renowned artists and choreographers. He has toured extensively throughout the United States, Europe and Asia.
“Once I visited SEMO, I was immediately won over by the River Campus visit and the facilities. They are stunning,” said Lomeka. “It was easy to fall in love with the faculty, too. Dr. Kenn Stilson made such a powerful impact on me. He’s magnetic and was very influential on me taking this job.”
Lomeka said audience members will experience an eclectic program featuring hip hop, musical theatre, contemporary and ballet.
“This collection accentuates what we value here, which is versatility. We want our students to go into any audition room and be able to stand out. I’m excited to see our students bridge the gap between dancing and artistry,” said Lomeka.
Attendees can expect to see choreography done by faculty, students and a professional guest artist, Carlos R. A. Jones. Jones is a professor and chair of the dance department at SUNY Brockport, with extensive experience as a dancer, choreographer, director and educator. His professional work spans concert dance, musical theatre, television and film, and he has created commissioned choreography for numerous organizations. Jones is also a published scholar whose research and writing focus on jazz dance and the preservation of Black American dance history and pedagogy.
“My hope for the audience is that they walk away feeling empowered,” said Lomeka. “Art and dance examine a shared humanity and unlock a part of our brain we don’t typically use. I want this to be an opportunity to unite our common experience.”
If you’re interested in a world-class, experience-driven education, visit semo.edu/conservatory. Tickets for the 2026 Winter Dance Collection are available at semo.evenue.net/events/WINTER.