by Panni De Cheke Qualls
As a big win for the global Hungarian folk dance movement, the Hungarian Dance University’s Dr. Henrik Kovács recently won a Fulbright Fellowship to teach at Kenyon College. As a Visiting Professor for Fall 2025, he is set to teach Hungarian dance and Labanotation. He is the second known folk dancer ever to have received this prestigious award – the first being Zoltán József Nagy in 1989.
“I have been attending the International Council of Kinetography Laban’s (ICKL) conferences for over 14 years. That’s where I met Julie Brodie, a colleague at Kenyon. I have always admired her work. It was she who encouraged me to look into Fulbright. Through this collaboration and conversation with her that my application, and the proposed project became a possibility. It was a huge honor to be chosen, and I am grateful to the Fulbright committee and to Julie,” remarks Kovács.
Kovács is an well-known leader in Hungary’s folk dance movement. He started out as a youngster with Százhalombatta’s Forrás Folkdance Ensemble. He eventually taught there, peaking his interest in the dance education space. While a student at the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (formerly the Gödöllői Agrártudományi Egyetem), he dually enrolled at the Hungarian Dance University (HDU) (formerly Hungarian Dance Academy). As he was finishing his Master’s degree there, the leadership offered him a job.
“I was very happy. Suddenly, there was an opportunity to offer something I loved to the world, and make it a better place. I could impact future dance educators, and share my love of folk dance with others. When I am in the classroom or mentoring, it fees like a vocation – I am in the flow, doing exactly what I am called to do,” says Kovács, who was also awarded the Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit in 2022.
As an associate professor of kinetography, folkdance, teaching methodology and rehearsal management at HDU, Kovács also serves at the Deputy Chair of the Folkdance Department. He is also a member the Hungarian Academy of Sciences Working Committee on Dance Science. He continues to be actively involved in research and various collaborations.
Here in the States, Kenyon offers an opportunity to experience another educational approach – the liberal arts system. Kovács has found himself fully embracing this ethos, and its multi-layered immersion – cultural, educational, and institutional. The teaching, coaching, the lunch conversations, the inter-disciplinary approach offer a fertile space for any educator to rise.
“Since arriving in late August, we already had successful táncház programs – one for the first-year students, and another for the entire College. We even had a barefoot version outdoors to get folks connected to nature. As a former agricultural engineer, embracing the natural world has always been important to me. Through dance and movement, I am able to share that love even more profoundly,” observes Kovács.
At the end of the semester, Kovács and his students will perform at Kenyon’s traditional Fall Dance Concert. It will also be a chance to introduce Hungarian folk dancing to a broader audience. Kovács will be also be working with the Brown Family Environmental Centre, and communities in Columbus, Cleveland and Bloomington, Indiana. He lead a táncház and offer a lecture focused on Hungarian dance types at the 64th Hungarian Congress. In addition, Kovács will lead a dance methodology course for the Hungarian Scout Association in Exteris’ leadership in Filmore, New York. He also has plans for other cultural programming.
“Kenyon’s leadership, the department, Julie and my colleagues have been incredibly helpful in my transition. They have been nothing but kind and open both professionally, and personally. They have made my load lighter as I try and navigate everything from software to program logistics and set-up. My family has already been the recipient of several invitations to have dinner, go hiking, cider making, and more,” says Kovács. “The students are also very open. We have great conversations in and out of the classroom. And I get a chance to meet students from diverse backgrounds – not just dance, for example – which is one of the wonderful merits of the liberal arts system.”
Long-term, Kovács hopes that his Fulbright experience will broaden his pedagogical perspective, and enhance his ability to integrate Hungarian folk dance principles into broader dance education.
“When I return to HDU, I hope to bring more to my Folk Dance Methodology and Labanotation courses and curriculum. The insights gained at Kenyon will also benefit my work with amateur dancers (in terms of staging performances) as well as inspiring non-folk dancers. I am also hoping that some of these experiences here will enhance and provide valuable insights to share at future conferences and workshops,” observes Kovács.
Connect with Dr. Henrik Kovács here.
