The Directors...

Shelley Bourgeois (Director, Choreographer, Dancer) began her dance training in Prairieville, LA studying various styles of dance. She received her BFA in dance education from The University of Southern Mississippi and a MFA in performance and choreography from Florida State University. While attending FSU, Shelley danced with Dance Repertory Theater. Upon graduation, she joined Moving Current Dance Collective in Tampa, FL. Recently Shelley has been involved in different areas of dance technology such as documentation, projection design, telematic arts and video dance at Florida State University and the University of South Tampa. Shelley has served as a faculty member at Hillsborough Community College and is currently teaching at Harrison School for the Arts. Shelley’s choreographic work has been presented at New Grounds Emerging Artists Festival, Dance Gallery Festival, Florida State “Academy Dances” Dance Space Project, American College Dance Festival Gala Concert, The University of Southern Mississippi, Florida State University, Hillsborough Community College and Moving Current Dance Collective.

Erin Cardinal (Director, Choreographer, Dancer) has had the privilege of dancing throughout her entire life. So far, her favorite memories as a dancer include staring in many family room productions for supportive family and friends, tap dancing her way through high school as a member of Dunedin High School’s Thespian Troop 2177, falling in love with the Bates Dance Festival, earning her BA in Dance From the University of South Florida, rehearsing in a 3rd floor walkup in New York with Pedro Alejandro Dance, performing with Elsa Valbuena at St. Marks Church, NY, traveling to Castano Primo, Italy with Jeanne Travers and finding her way back to Tampa, to witness the birth of Moving Current Dance Collective as one of its three artistic directors. With Moving Current, Erin has had the honor of working with a stunning collection of dancers and some of the most extraordinary choreographers. Now, she is not only a dancer, but a teacher, dance advocate and a creator of her own work. Erin stumbled into teaching ballet, modern and choreography at Blake High School for the Arts, which provided some of the most gratifying experiences in her career. She has also choreographed/taught for the University of South Florida, Dr. Phillips High School, St. Petersburg College, Hillsborough Community College and at the Florida Dance Festival with Moving Current (Company in Residence) and others. With these and so many more experiences, Erin has learned that dance is a gift that can be shared with integrity, humility and passion.

Cynthia Hennessy (Founder / Director, Choreographer) was born in St. Petersburg and has rarely sat still since. She swam, walked, and then danced, in that order. At age twelve thru high school she performed with the St. Petersburg Concert Ballet, and then went on to Florida State University, earning a BFA in Dance. Cindy worked extensively with her mentor, the late Barton Mumaw, principal dancer for Ted Shawn, reconstructing select Shawn pieces and exploring the influence of Delsarte movement principals. In the last 8 years she has focused on Skinner Releasing and improvisation, earning her Skinner Teacher Certification. Ms. Hennessy has been teaching and choreographing at St. Petersburg College since 1982 and has taught and choreographed at Eckerd College, the Pinellas County Center for the Arts, University of South Florida and many workshops in the area. Her dances have also been produced by the University of Tampa, Florida Dance Festivals, the Southeastern Regional College Dance Festival, First Night celebrations, Off Center Theater, as a part of the Vision’s of Peace Project in Paris, France, Byron Carlyle Theater in Miami and most recently the Colony Theater, Miami. This year marks the fifth year that she has been commissioned by the Arts County of Hillsborough County to teach and create projects for Forever Moving Dancers, a group of seniors 54 and up. Each summer she returns to teaching children at the Fleming Fine Arts Camp held annually at Berkeley Preparatory School. In 2002 Cynthia was voted Best Choreographer by the Weekly Planet, she received an Individual Artist Grant from the Arts County of Hillsborough County in 2005, honored as 2006 Tampa Bay Treasured Artist of the Year and most recently was awarded an Individual Artist fellowship by the Department of State Division of Cultural Affairs. Ms. Hennessy serves as a member of the Artist Advisory Committee for the Arts Council of Hillsborough County. Cynthia’s greatest award has been the privilege of working with many dedicated teachers, students, professional dancers and artists, who have given many hours of their talent to her creative endeavors. She is grateful for all that she has learned from them.