Faculty Feature: Meet Beverly Bautista, School of Dance Wednesday, August 27, 2025
(Center) Beverly Bautista with her students in the George Rowland White Performance Center.
Beverly Bautista, M.F.A., is a dance artist, university educator, choreographer and Dance Education Equity Association co-owner. She received a B.S. in Dance from Ball State University and an M.F.A. in Dance from the University of California, Irvine.
Drawing from her more than 13 years of experience in Los Angeles's entertainment hub, Bautista had the privilege of working on projects with Disney, Pepsi, the Billboard Music Awards, Lip Sync Battle, iHeart Radio and Good Morning America, to name a few. She has also worked with Nicki Minaj, opened for Britney Spears and Lil Wayne, and is a proud Monsters Dance alumni.
Bautista begins her second year as an assistant professor in the School of Dance at Point Park University, where she teaches jazz and dance composition classes. With her dance education and industry experience, she aims to foster the connection between dance academia students and the entertainment industry.
She is driven by her dedication to the dance community and remains an ardent advocate for fellow choreographers, striving to cultivate a sense of unity and collaboration within the collective dance continuum.
In the Q&A below, Bautista shares more about her background and what she enjoys most about teaching at Point Park University.
How do you incorporate your professional experiences into your classes?
I incorporate my professional experiences into the classroom by providing students the chance to work on their improvisation. It's so important for students to share their individuality because it encourages them to focus on their artistry, performance and character to guide them into the spaces to share who they are in the most authentic way.
What's it like teaching the next generation of artists in the George Rowland White Performance Center?
It's an honor to teach the next generation of artists in the GRW Performance Center, which is filled with spacious studios that allow students to easily travel across the room. What I love most about the dance complex is the natural light that shines in while I teach. Plus, the state-of-the-art sound systems help motivate my students during class. As a dance educator, it's so exciting to see students translate their work from the classroom to the stage. Everyone is on a different path, and I love observing those moments when it all comes together for students.
What are three things or places students should take advantage of in Downtown Pittsburgh?
- Go to Point State Park to have fun with friends.
- Go see live work, whether it's dance, theater or music at Point Park University's Pittsburgh Playhouse or off campus in the Pittsburgh Cultural District.
- Go and explore the variety of great coffee shops in the city, like Nicholas Coffee & Tea Co. in Market Square.
What advice do you have for a prospective student?
For students who are auditioning and applying to the School of Dance, I encourage them to utilize their training and share it in a way that shows off their personality, drive and work ethic. It's easy to be safe, and when you push those boundaries and show us more of who you are, it becomes a way for us to see how much fun you are having, all while showing us your great technique. It's not just about the technique; it's about the whole person and being able to show us that in one space. And at the end of the day, your passion is what's going to drive you. Be confident and find ways to share more about who you are, so you can share dance in a way that makes it yours.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Students should remember how important it is to take care of their mental, physical and emotional self because it influences how they show up in the classroom. Before anything, the person is the most important, and the artist is second. Additionally, I always stress the importance of time management and how it shifts from season to season. Find ways to organize your schedule so you are meeting your priorities as well as fueling your artistry.