Patriceann Mead, Chair of Performing Arts, joined the Palomar College Performing Arts Department faculty in 1997 as a full-time dance professor.
Before coming to Palomar, Patriceann attended the State University of New York at Brockport where she earned three degrees: a Bachelor of Science in Dance, a Masters of Arts, and a Masters of Fine Arts. She also served as a graduate assistant as well as becoming the recipient for the Pylyshenko-Strasser Graduate Dance Award for outstanding work in both written scholarship and performance.
She danced with Agroma, an African Dance Ensemble directed by Professor Alber Opoku from the University of Ghana. She also danced with two Afro-Brazilian Dance Ensembles: Sankofa and Alafiagia, both directed by Clyde Morgan and Khalid Saleem. Patriceann started her own company in 1990: The Minzeko Drum and Dance Ensemble. She was the artistic director and choreographer for the company from 1990-1997. And, most noteworthy as an undergraduate, she danced with the internationally acclaimed dance legend, Garth Fagan. Upon arriving to California, she began studying Afro-Cuban dance with Juan Carlos from 1997-2001, and has also studied with Teresita Dance Perez and Susana Arennas Pedrosa. She also started performing, collaborating, and team teaching with Cuban artist Silfredo La O Vigo, whom she brought to the world program and to the company in 2006, as the new music director for Agogo.
She is the founder and artistic director of the Afro-Cuban/Brazilian Drum and Dance Ensemble, Agogo, formally known as the Palomar Drum and Dance Ensemble. Agogo is a facet of the Palomar outreach program which presents diverse programs for community events, festivals, local high schools, the Palomar dance season, and as featured entertainment for the Palomar Foundation fundraisers and the annual Noche Havana events.
Patriceann Mead
760.744.1150 ext. 2969
pmead@palomar.edu