Dancing the night away

Dance majors culminate JMU experience with senior concert

Kristen Donnelly / staff photographer Senior Emily Oleson performs her piece, "Different than what?" at the senior dance concert Friday and Saturday in Godwin Hall.

To say "shake your bon bon" would in itself be an understatement when compared to the senior cast of dancers that performed Friday and Saturday. The performance, entitled, "A Senior Dance Concert," was held at Godwin Hall, room 355.

The show consisted of performances by the graduating class of JMU’s dance program, some of which showcased a few undergraduate students. The concert was a platform of eight modern dance pieces — sorry, no ballet here. It was a way for the students to present what they have learned during their tenure in the major.

"I feel so grateful to have had so many opportunities in this department, and so lucky to have worked with so many talented artists here," senior Emily Oleson said. The dancers performed, choreographed and worked lighting switchboards and music without aid from any professors or professionals.

The senior cast included Whitney Heptinstall, Oleson, Karen Jones, April Gruber, Megan Lowry, Rebecca Berryman, Arielle Smith and Cynthia Marafino. The performances featured a variety of music ranging from hip-hop, modern and classic to trance. The dancers themselves were equally as varied in technique, taste and approach in order to keep the audience interested.

"This concert is for everyone who wants to have fun," said junior Ashley Scott, a dance major.

Oleson, a veteran performer, stood out from the rest of the performers. Her dance skills, as well as choreography and ability to blend music with flare, was attractive. She — along with fellow performer Jones — performed a tap number titled "You Make Me Wanna" to Salt ’N’ Pepa’s "Shoop." The piece was on beat and had attitude. "It’s impressive. It’s something I’d never be able to do, and that’s why I like it," said junior Chris Jewell, who watched the performances.

This merging of two usually contradictory types of musical style — tap dance and hip-hop — had the audience enthralled. Olsen continued this extreme of exploits in her number entitled, "Different than what?" Here she incorporated modern dance with hip-hop music. With its carefree enthusiasm, Olsen’s piece was reminiscent of when someone dances to a favorite song in the privacy of his or her bedroom. Olsen began the piece in a wild frenzy movement and followed into a stylized, choreography-marked stream of movement, as the piece progressed.

With attitude and humor, Oleson mixed modern dance with frivolity, through stripping her clothes off and utilizing multiple hand gestures.

"Different than what?" featured the reoccurring use of an extended hand, a butterfly, peace sign, smoking gesture and the use of sign language. Oleson capped it off by flipping her middle finger to the crowd, and ended the piece with an outstretched hand.

Some performers selected a more subdued approach with more of a focus on technique than on impact. "Tresses," "Second Story" and "Frantic Energy" were very fluid pieces, although they were more simplistic in nature, featured more movement and showcased group talent.

In "Tresses," the message was more playful and tender, with a void on visual distraction; as all the costumes were white, which contrasted against the black backdrop on stage.

"Second Story" was energetic as well, but as one performer wore a different top than the other performers, the piece highlighted the one dancer in relation to the group. "Frantic Energy" was an excellent show of talent and good musical accompaniment by DJ Craig Armstrong. The piece was intensely energetic, and the performers’ dancing was not in unison, providing a visually arresting collage at all times.

While it was obvious that effort and talent were significant aspects of each piece performed, there were obvious star players, while others merely were passable. The show was not without its confusing moments.

"Eat My Dust" bit the dust due to its lack of consistency. One moment would be intense, the next boring, the following intense section and then boring again. The piece was a roller coaster ride with too many loops. The choreography was mediocre and lacking. The piece included a myriad of randomly placed technical dance moves, yet as there was no visible passion or emotion in the piece, it was devoid of meaning.

Following this formula was "Ivory," an equally dull piece that did not amount to the same caliber as other pieces and succeeded only in confusing the audience. The piece was messy, jumbled and lacking in technique. The three performers seemed to walk about the stage, sporadically convening to hug each other. The technical aspect of the show was absent.

"Wait, is that dance? Are you serious? I could do better … and I have two left feet," said Jake Walsh, a Blue Ridge Community College student who felt some of the dancers could have done better.

The showcase ended with a number entitled "Senior Improv." This was a moment for the seniors in the concert to reflect on times spent together and what they have learned. "I go see every dance show here, and it was really awesome to see the seniors’ work highlighted," senior Kristin Von Kundra said.

Heptinstall recited the final quote and instead of something aimed at making everyone’s eyes brim with tears, in a hilarious, unexpected turn of events, she recited OutKast: "So fickle the tickle, let’s see your seat belt fastened / Trunk rattlin’ like two midgets in the back seat wrasling / Speakerboxx vibrate the tag make it sound like you got aluminum cans in the back/ But I know ya’ll wanted that 808, can you feel that B-A-S-S, bass / But I know ya’ll wanted that 808, can you feel that B-A-S-S, bass."

The finale, "Senior Improv" ended on an energetic note. The senior dance majors would just like for everyone to remember that they "like the way you move …"