A
group of 10 students left after classes on March 4th to head to
Kalamazoo, Michigan. ACDA, American College Dance Association, holds regional
conferences every year where masterclasses are held and students perform
innovative choreography. This year Mercyhurst’s Dance Department brought ten
students and three pieces to perform. Two of these were performed at the
adjudicated concert and another was held at the informal showing. All the
students took masterclasses and rehearsed all day leading to an educational and
inspirational weekend.
Personally,
I looked forward to taking an array of different types of classes, ones that I
would not have normally had the opportunity to take. The classes offered ranged
from Creole Fusion, Improvisation, Fosse Batman, Contemporary Modern, to
Classical Ballet. All these different classes challenged me to broaden my
artistic horizons and examine dance in a new light. Although it was only a mere
five days, I learned how to incorporate all these different techniques and
ideas into my own artistic expression.
The
students performed three different pieces over the weekend, two at the
adjudicated showcase and one at the informal showing. The pieces performed were
Solveig Santillano’s Laura’s Grace,
senior, Esmae Gold’s The Oath, and
junior, Roni Ply’s Insomniac’s Dream.
Being able to participate in showings with such a vast array of dance styles
and choreography was such an incredible experience for all the dancers. I know
this busy weekend of dancing, performing, and spending time with other
wonderful dancers will stay as one of the high lights of my year.
-Sarah Taylor,
Freshman
