Choreography students projected their life’s artistic visions into the production of the dance concert epic “Dancing Through Life.”
A creative repertoire of 18 dances was presented by the students under the direction of Dana Maue, Southwestern College Dance Professor and Director of “Dancing Through Life.” The chorographers projected their life inspirations through the dancer’s performances, music and stage effects with brilliant coordination making the dance concert an enjoyable showcase full of energy and emotions.
“Safe Space” was a heartfelt contemporary dance combining the art of ballet and modern styles of movements. It portrayed a couple being separated by life’s circumstances through fluid and interconnected ballet movements, taking the audience into the drama of the presentation. The dancer’s faces reflected pain and sorrows accompanied by soft movements through which they tried to reach out to one another but were pushed apart. The soft alternative music by the band Jump Little Children truly complemented this expressive dance.
“Fiesta Norteño” was a ballet folklorico piece that had many dancers on stage with their traditional norteño costumes, which included cowboy hats, cowboy boots with pointy tips and bandanas. Energy was projected across the stage with this traditional folklorico dance, which originated from northern México with influence from Texas. Happiness beamed from the faces and movements of the dancers.
“Survival” was a remarkable and emotional contemporary dance presentation. The background included a dark blue forest, which gave a feeling of solitude and sorrow and allowed the emotions of the audience to be absorbed into the scene. With a mix of expressive modern and melancholic ballet movements, the dancers transmitted sentiments of a desperate fight for survival. Soft pop music from singer songwriter Ruelle complemented the dancer’s expressions of struggle and difficulty.
“Orange Lotus,” a lyrical jazz piece that portrayed the loss of a loved one from an illness. This performance submerged the audience into the creative mind of the choreographer’s story. Dancers depicted this passage of life with their harmonious dance interpretation and through their sorrowful facial expressions. Amazingly, like the lotus, life re-emerged, bringing a new beginning of joy and happiness exceptionally represented by the dancers.
The “Finale” piece was presented with dynamic music from the band Fitz and the Tantrums. The dancers followed the energetic pop soul beats. One by one, the dancers from each performance saluted the audience which responded with great applause during each bow.
Maue said the choreographers managed to overcome obstacles by thinking outside of the box, dancing outside their comfort zone and connecting their pieces with real life situations in society.
“[The choreographers] talents and visions came through life at stage,” Maue said. “I’m very very proud of how far they came as choreographers.”
“Dancing Through Life” was an adventurous sum of choreographies built by talented students. The perseverance, genius and professionalism of the choreographers’ work made the dance concert successfully convey their artistic visions.
