Edward McPherson joins IMC as the new Executive Director.

Edward McPherson, the new Executive Director of Island Moving Company, joined me on What’sUpNewp Radio Edition on AM 1540 WADK Newport today to chat about today’s Opening Weekend news, what’s ahead for the contemporary ballet company’s 36th season, and more.

Island Moving Company is a classically trained contemporary ballet company of professional dancers based in Newport, RI, which produces new dance works through a collaborative creative process. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Miki Ohlsen, the Company has, for over 30 years, produced and presented dances by a diverse group of choreographers, working with musicians, poets, and visual artists. The Company also works extensively in the schools, interacting with students K-12 in curriculum-based movement residencies throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

After a nationwide search, Island Moving Company announced on January 6, 2018, that they have named McPherson, formerly a professional ballet dancer and an Education and Program Coordinator for Midland County Public Libraries in Midland, Texas to succeed outgoing executive director Dominique Alfandre. McPherson represents IMC’s second executive director.

For more information on Island Moving Company, visit www.islandmovingco.org.

Ryan Belmore

Ryan Belmore is the Owner and Publisher of What'sUpNewp.  He has been involved with What’sUpNewp since shortly after its launch in 2012, proudly leading it to be named Best Local News Blog in Rhode Island by Rhode Island Monthly readers in 2018, 2019, and 2020 and an honorable mention in the Common Good Awards in 2021.

He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Potter League For Animals. He previously served on the boards of Fort Adams Trust, Lucy's Hearth, and the Arts & Cultural Alliance for Newport County.

In 2020, he was named Member of the Year by LION and won the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Newport County's Dominque Award.

He is a member of Local Independent Online News (LION) Publishers, the Society of Professional Journalists, and the North American Snowsports Journalists Association.

Born and raised in Rhode Island, he spent 39 years living in Rhode Island before recently moving to Alexandria, Virginia, with his wife and two rescue dogs. He still considers Rhode Island home, and visits at least once a month.