Illuminating Ideas: 2025 Sparks Research Symposium Showcases Innovation in the Arts

The College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) at James Madison University is proud to present the 2025 Sparks Research Symposium on Friday, February 28, from 1 – 5 PM at the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts. This annual event honors Dr. Sparks’ commitment to supporting student and faculty scholarship while showcasing groundbreaking research and creative work within the college.

The symposium will feature faculty and student poster presentations, dynamic Pechakucha talks, and a keynote presentation by the 2025 Madison Scholar, Dr. Adérónké Adésànyà. This event will culminate in a reception where attendees can continue discussions and network with fellow scholars and artists.

Event Highlights

• Faculty and Student Poster Presentations | 1 – 2 PM | Forbes Grand Lobby
• Pechakucha Presentations | 2 – 3 PM | Forbes Concert Hall
  • Rachel Rhoades – Utilizing Theatre for Equity & Community Development: Newcomers Translate Experiential Knowledge through Embodied Storytelling
  • Tara Burns – Intersecting Bodies and Virtual Worlds: Expanding Dance through VR
  • Gui Hwan Lee – ‘K-Pop Across the Border’: Report of Spring 2024 Guest Lecture On K-Pop Industries
  • Paulo Steinberg – "Bridging Cultures: A Deep Dive into Latvian Language, Music, and Traditions"
  • Sangjun Yoo – "Interactive Systems and Interdisciplinary Dialogue"
  • Rachel Grimsby – “The Education is Supposed to Fit Me, I’m Not Supposed to Fit the Education!” Experiences of Navigating Undergraduate Music Education Coursework with Hidden Disabilities.”
• Madison Scholar Presentation – Dr. Adérónké Adésànyà | 3 – 3:30 PM
  • JMU’s Madison Scholar award recognizes faculty members who have demonstrated outstanding research, scholarship, and creative work. Dr. Adérónké Adésànyà will share insights from her extensive scholarship.
• Reception | 3:30 – 5 PM | Forbes Grand Lobby
  • Conclude the afternoon with a celebratory reception where attendees can continue conversations with presenters, faculty, and students. Light refreshments will be provided.

Find more info and up-to-date information at https://www.jmu.edu/arts/events/sparks/sparks-symposium.shtml. For more details on presenters, follow JMU Arts on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/JMUArts/) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/jmu_arts/).