For 25 years, Lucy Bowen was the Artistic Director, choreographer, and creative energy behind Bowen McCauley Dance Company (BMDC). Since founding the company in 1996, she created over 100 works ranging from lyrical ballets to highly physical contemporary pieces set to rock music. Her choreography offers an unconventional array of genres and blends balletic lines, quirky gestures, and modern dance’s earthiness. Her work explores the interplay between music, dance, and drama. Washingtonian Magazine named her among those “who have helped transform Washington into one of the nation’s liveliest centers in performing arts.” Lucy retired the company in 2021 with a final performance at The Kennedy Center’s Eisenhower Theater.

BMDC offered free classes for people with Parkinson’s Disease in multiple locations since 2009 and was the only Dance for PD licensed affiliate in the DC metro area. Lucy is a Certified Dance for PD Teaching Artist, earning her certification in 2019. Since retiring the dance company, Lucy has devoted herself to Dance for Parkinson’s. She directs the Dance for PD® Mid-Atlantic hub, teaching several classes, helping train new teachers and assistants, and partnering with organizations to expand, deepen and broaden the reach of Dance for PD throughout the Mid-Atlantic.

Her passion for dance, choreography and serving the Parkinson’s community inspired her to work with Dance for PD to create the Bowen Fund, which supports choreographers, teachers, and organizations through Dance for PD Launch Grants and the Bowen Award for Inclusive Choreography, as well as activities in Dance for PD’s Mid-Atlantic Hub.

A dancer since childhood, Lucy’s early training at the Jordan School of Music & Dance in Indianapolis, and the Interlochen Center for the Arts in Traverse City, Michigan, provided her with a profound appreciation for both music and musicians that is so striking in her work. At age 18, she accepted a scholarship to the Joffrey School in New York City where she performed with the Joffrey Concert Group.

She also danced with the Maryland Ballet, the Virginia State Ballet, DC Contemporary Dance Theatre and Daniel West Dancers, and was a founding member of Eric Hampton Dance. She pioneered a unique stretch technique 30 years ago, Bowen McCauley Stretch, which has been featured in USA Today, Dance Teacher, and The Washington Post.

Throughout her career, Lucy has received numerous awards and recognition for her excellence in dance and service to her community, including:

– Woman of Vision Award from the Commission on the Status of Women
– The prestigious Pola Nirenska Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance
– Lifetime Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance Education (Dance Metro DC)
– Alumni Path of Inspiration Award from the Interlochen Center for the Arts
– STAR Award for Artistic Excellence from the Arlington Commission for the Arts
– Elizabeth Campbell Award for the Advancement of the Arts in Arlington from the American Association of University Women
– James B. Hunter III Arlington Community Hero Award

Lucy currently serves as Chair on the industry’s trade association, Dance/USA – National Leadership Council for Dance. She is also a commissioner on the Arlington, VA Commission for the Arts. Past board service includes the Arlington Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Arlington Economic Development Commission.