Dance Department Hosts Local School Students for Education Concerts

The Department of Dance presented its Fall Dance Concert to students from local middle and high schools in a special education performance on Friday, November 4, at 11:00 am in Belk Theater, Robinson Hall. More than 300 students from seven schools attended; the schools represented are Jay M. Robinson Middle, Northridge Middle, Ridge Road Middle, Sedgefield Middle, Hough High School, Myers Park High School, and Northwest School of the Arts.

The varied program included classical ballet, classic modern, vintage jazz, and contemporary dances. The concert opened with new original works by professors Delia Neil and Rachel Tucker. Students Alex Barnes and Laura Dearman danced a pas de deux from August Bournonville’s ballet Flower Festival in Genzano, followed by the Act III “Jewels” trio from the beloved Sleeping Beauty by Marius Petipa, with music by Tchaikovsky. “Big Apple” jazz dance from the Swing Era and a section from Esplanade, by famed modern dance choreographer Paul Taylor, closed the concert.

Next semester, the department will welcome local schools again for a daytime presentation of the Spring Dance Concert on April 4.