Grand Valley State University’s dance company is showing off their talent in all genres of the medium, including ballet, modern, contemporary and jazz for their annual fall dance concert.

The performances, Dec. 1 and 2, are in the Louis Armstrong Theatre and include 57 students, ranging from freshmen to seniors. They will perform nine original dances choreographed by five faculty members and two guest choreographers.

Dance coordinator Shawn Bible said it is imperative for GVSU’s dance company to establish versatility in all of the different genres of dance.

Guest choreographer Lauren Edson, principal dancer with Trey McIntyre Project, created a dramatic and emotional dance that is both challenging and enjoyable for the dancers, assistant professor Carrie Morris said.

The equally infamous resident choreographer from Giordano Dance Chicago, Autumn Eckman, constructed a jazz dance that features her quirky movement vocabulary and heightened sense of humor, Bible said.

Edson and Eckman both spent a week on campus teaching master classes and rehearsing with GVSU students.

“It’s one of the most diverse concerts that we’ve put on at GVSU, not only in terms of style, but in the tone of the pieces,” Morris said. “Each piece has a very distinct mood and that type of variety will keep you guessing what’s going to happen next.”

Morris arranged two dances, a humorous modern dance based on sayings that she would hear her father use when she was growing up, and another that plays with the idea of disconnect between the dancers, movement and costumes.

Unlike most dance performances at GVSU, there will not be live music, but the theme of dance combined with technology, which has been used in recent concerts, will be continued, Bible said. One of Morris’ dances is using video projections to add an extra element to the program.

“The performance is a combination of many genres and styles of dance, trying to appeal to every member of the audience,” said Calin Radulescu, affiliate professor.

Radulescu put together a neoclassical piece about rituals and sacrifice that highlights the art of ballet.

Along with the new choreography, two pieces that Bible choreographed for GVSU students earlier in the semester will be showcased again. Choreography also includes pieces by Sarah Magoon and Amy Wilson.

“We have been hard at work since literally the very first day of the semester, creating and rehearsing all of these pieces,” Morris said. “The next stage is very exciting for us as it is the first time that we will get to see all of the dances with the costumes and the lights.”

Each of the choreographers auditioned and cast students for their specific portion, with most dances ranging from eight to 10 dancers.

“Our dance company is so talented that it amazes our audiences every time,” Bible said. “I encourage anyone who loves dance and wants to see a stunning display of talent equal to ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ to see this dance concert. The closing piece is so brilliant nobody should miss this free dance concert.”

The concert will take place Dec. 1 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 2 at 2 p.m., both in the Performing Arts Center on GVSU’s Allendale Campus. Performances are free and open to the public.

For more information call 616-331-3484.
[email protected]