Dale A. Merrill

Dale A. Merrill was the Artistic Director of Spectrum Dance Theater in Seattle Washington from 1985 to 2002.  Under his direction, Spectrum grew from a community dance company to a repertory jazz company of national prominence performing works by Ann Reinking, Margo Sappington, Lou Conte, Lar Lubovitch, Lynne Taylor-Corbett, and Danny Buraczeski.  Born in Richland, Washington, he began studying dance with Willam Christensen, Bruce Marks and Mattlyn Gavers at the University of Utah to augment his theatrical training.  While in Utah, Dale performed with Ballet West, Pioneer Memorial Theater and The Utah Ballet Ensemble.  In 1992, he became one of the first graduates in the newly instated MFA in Dance at the University of Washington.   As part of this nationally recognized program, he was actively involved in the education program of undergraduates, and performed contemporary masterworks of José Limon, Paul Taylor and Anna Sokolow, which added depth to his classical background.  Dale has over 16 years of choreographic credits including numerous original works, musical theater production, and a Public Television Special, Voices Across America starring Paul and Mira Sorvino.  In 1999, he became an Adjunct Faculty member for the University of Washington Dance Program and for the School of Drama’s Professional Actors Training Program.  In addition to teaching full-time in Spectrum Dance Theater’s Educational Programs, Dale has been a guest teacher for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Washington Contemporary Ballet, Seattle Center Academy of Arts & Science, University of Montana, Ballet Bellevue, Montana Dance Arts Association, Black Hills Dance Association, and Very Special Arts Washington.