Jory Hancock, Melissa Lowe Retiring From School of Dance

Architects of the University of Arizona School of Dance, the husband-and-wife team of Jory Hancock and Melissa Lowe are retiring after 34 years on campus building one of the nation’s elite collegiate dance programs.

The couple joined the dance faculty and staff in 1987. Hancock has led the dance program since 1989 and has been the director of the School of Dance since its inception in 2005; Lowe is a professor of ballet and director of student services.

"This is the end of an era," said Andrew Schulz, vice president for the arts. "The way that Jory and Melissa built and shaped one of the flagship programs of the university, and, certainly one of the premier dance programs in the country, is really remarkable. They've enriched our lives and this entire region with the incredible artistry and they’ve impacted generations of students."

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Hancock and Lowe have contemplated retirement the past few years and decided now was the time to step away with the program in such a strong position and in capable hands.

"We've both spent half of our lifetimes here on this campus," said Hancock. "We feel so dedicated to this university. Our charge was to build the dance program and we feel we've done that. We're walking away from a labor of love that’s been everything to us. Melissa and I aren't sure what retirement even means because we've never taken much time off. It will be a new adventure."

Lowe added, "It's nearly impossible for us to summarize how we feel about our students. Literally everything we did in our time here was about and for these young artists. We love knowing our alumni family are out there, spread across the world."

"I have been consistently impressed by the University of Arizona's School of Dance,” said University President Robert C. Robbins. "Its students, faculty and staff are simply amazing, and the strength of this program is thanks in so many ways to the vision, leadership and example that Jory and Melissa have provided through their 34 years of service. Their success and the success of the School of Dance is a point of pride for us all, and I want to thank them for all they have done for our students and the entire Wildcat family."

As their careers at the University of Arizona come to a close this summer, the college will take a thoughtful, national approach to find their successors.