Alper
Ungor
School of Theater + Dance
Adjunct Lecturer
Specialization: Dance
T: (352)
273-0500
F: (352)
392-5114
E:
ungor@cise.ufl.edu
Address:
CSE Building 534
University of Florida
Alper Üngör is an Associate Professor of Computer Science, an Adjunct Professor of Dance, and a Faculty Affiliate of the Center for World Arts at the University of Florida. He holds a PhD degree in Computer Science (2002) from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, an MBA degree (1998) from the Middle East Technical University in Ankara, an MS degree in Computer Science (1996) from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and a BS degree in Computer Engineering (1992) from the Middle East Technical University in Ankara. Alper joined the University of Florida in 2004, after spending two years at Duke University as a Postdoctoral Research Associate. He was the receipent of the David Kuck Best Ph.D. Thesis Award (2002), and an Excellence in Teaching Award (1997) at the University of Illinois. Most recently in 2009, he received a prestigious CAREER award from the National Science Foundation (NSF).
Professor Ungor has been teaching tango for the last six years at the University of Florida, as the primary teacher at the Argentine Tango Club. He also presented tango as a guest artist in School of Theatre and Dance. In recognition of his successful interactions with UF students, in 2010, Alper was invited to develop the first tango section of DAA 2381 World Dance and Intercultural Performance. The course, designed and coordinated by Dr. Joan Frosch, advances the curricular mission of the Center for World Arts to expand the international experiences of both theatre and dance and general students through performance pratice. The course regularly features selections of diverse and international dance and movement practices such as Brazilian dance, capoeria, West African dance, flamenco, Bharata Natyam, Odissim hip-hop, and yoga, among other forms. Alper currently teaches the tango section of this course.
Alper has studied tango with world renowned experts at numerous workshops in US, Europe and Buenos Aires. He studied extensively with Gustavo Naveira who is one of the founders of nuevo tango movement which is an intellectual approach to dancing that is based on detailed analyses of movements. Among other maestros who has influenced his dancing and teaching include Graciela Gonzalez, Chicho Frumboli, Sebastian Arce, Marianna Montes, Fernanda Ghi, Jorge Dispari, Julio Balmaceda, Murat-Michelle Erdemsel, Fernando Sanchez, and Ariadna Naveira.
Alper has been influential in UF and Gainesville tango community as a leader, a teacher and an organizer. Under his supervision, UF Tango Club established North Florida's main tango event. Tango for the Cure held every Fall is a weekend event for raising funds and awareness for breast cancer research and it attracts dozens of dancers from around Florida (especially Miami, Tampa, Ocala and Tallahassee). Alper has been invited to teach, perform and DJ at various events locally, nationally, and internationally. Alper, primarily a professor in Computer Science, teaches and conducts research on geometric algorithms, which is evident in his algorithmic and geometric analysis of body posture forms and dance movements.