Concert showcases talent

Becky Gabriel / staff photographer Dance students perform "I AM... Mellow Yellow" at the Student Dance Concert, which will run this week in the Godwin Studio Theatre at 8 p.m.

Highlighting the creative talent of JMU's dance students, an entirely student-run dance concert will take place tonight through Saturday at 8 p.m. in the Godwin Studio Theater. The Student Dance Concert will feature 11 student-choreographed pieces.

"Everything in this concert is new, so [the choreography] has never been seen before," director Jessica Fanning, a junior, said.

The concert includes four solos and four group pieces, which were chosen by a panel of five judges in an open audition. The Associate Dance Ensemble, an all-freshman dance group, also will be featured in three additional group pieces.

According to junior Molly Lehman, assistant director, "[The Student Dance Concert] is a chance for student choreographers to showcase their work in addition to being the main performance for the Associate Dance Ensemble."

Fanning said, "It's great because it involves under as well as upperclassmen."

The Student Dance Concert is presented once each semester and every aspect is run by students. The students choreograph and select the pieces to be performed. They also direct, manage, publicize and light the production, as well as create costumes and work backstage. "This concert is just a real prime example of the abilities of the students to organize a concert full of unique choreography and work together to produce such an important event," Fanning said.

Junior Holly Pantano has danced in the Student Dance Concert every semester since her freshman year and always looks forward to the performance. "We are all good friends, and we really enjoy dancing together. I know that it shows throughout our performance," she said.

Lehman said that this year, "The solos display the many sides to modern dance. Also, the choreographers of all the group pieces found their own individual style preferences bringing together the widest variety of works we have seen."

Fanning has found that the works created by her fellow dancers for this particular concert are influenced by their entire history of dance training. "Everyone took both from their [previous dance] background and what they have learned here. It's unique because it encompasses what they've learned through all of their dance training," Fanning said.

Pantano said, "It's a good variety of pieces and each reflects the choreographer's personality."

Tickets for the Student Dance Concert are $6 for the general public and $3 with a JAC card. They will go on sale one hour before the show. The Godwin Studio Theater is located on the third floor of Godwin Hall.