Dance concert to feature eclectic mix

Students from the Grand Valley State University Dance Ensemble will be featured during two performances on November 20-21, at 8 p.m., in the Performing Arts Center Dance Studio, on the Allendale Campus. The public is welcome to attend with free admission.

Seven pieces will be performed during the approximately one-hour concert. Variety is a given, with each piece choreographed by one of three Grand Valley dance faculty members and three guest artists. 

"We hope these performances will not only showcase the talent of our students and the choreographers, but also provide a new perspective on how dance is changing," said assistant professor Shawn T Bible, who organized the concert. "Dance celebrates the joy of movement and can be interpreted any way you want."

The multi-faceted performance will feature modern dance, jazz and ballet along with a diversity of music. Affiliate Professor Calin Radulescu will pair the very fun, French and flirtatious music of Edith Pilaf with a very contemporary ballet piece, while guest artist Samm Shelton, from Wayne State University, draws from Vivaldi's "Four Season's" to accompany her ballet.

Guest artist Heather Vaughn-Southard, from Albion College, pairs the energetic and rhythmic music of Sonny Rollins with a jazz dance piece.  Amy Cova, who teaches at the University of Michigan, choreographed a modern dance piece, "Transitions."

Bible has set two pieces for the concert. "Rush," is about people in a hurry and features sporty costumes, including knee pads. Another piece follows the passage of a child growing into a woman, with four sections and music changing from the ambient piano of Franz Liszt, to the modern techno and pop/rock.

Mary Lohman, who also teaches at Grand Valley, has choreographed a contemporary ballet set to the jazz samba music of Charlie Byrd and Stan Getz. Borrowing from the improvisational quality of the music, this work is meant to be a playful conversation among the dancers.

For more information contact Shawn T Bible in the Department of Music, at (616) 331-3487, or [email protected].