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Home › News & Events › Events › Dances from the Heart

Dances from the Heart

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February 13, 2019 to February 17, 2019

Venue: Stevie Eller Dance Theatre

Dances from the Heart will address much that inspires passion. Our history, our homeland, our habitat, and our humanity will be on full display.

Opening the program is Heartland, a new piece by Elizabeth George-Fesch, inspired by imagery of the vast golden fields and blue skies of farmlands, the figurative “heart” of America. The ballet is set to music by Myroslav Skoryk for thirteen women.

Live harp and dance come together in Drift a new piece that explores glacial deterioration as an offering to ongoing conversations about honoring our natural environments. This work is a collaborative effort between UA School of Dance Assistant Professor Autumn Eckman, harpist Dr. Michelle Gott of the Fred Fox School of Music who will perform live with UA harp ensemble HarpFusion, and multi-media artist Jonathan Marquis.

The centerpiece of this concert will be a work by guest, Nacho Duato, referred to in Paris recently as “One of the most beautiful choreographers of our time…” Since its world premiere in 1990, Na Floresta has been performed exclusively by professional ballet companies in Spain, France, Russia and Canada and in the United States by Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. UA Dance is honored to be in the company of those who have performed this rare gem.

One of his best early works, Na Floresta made Nacho Duato world famous. In this one-act ballet, he penetrates the savage mystery of the Amazonian Selva. By analogy, the bustling variety of nature represents the ocean of human feelings. Its metaphysical currents again and again give rise to a new and unrestrained tide of life…

Stories of love and life are illustrated by three new works. Michael Williams brings us a new tap piece, AlittleSAXophoneSTORY, about a young man’s desire to play sax and his journey to achieve his goal. Tammy Dyke-Compton reflects on three stages of relationship in Morning, Noon and Night; falling in love, the ups and downs of sharing a life together, and the departing of the one we love. She brings together three duets and familiar tunes, “Georgia On My Mind,” “My Funny Valentine,” and “Wee Small Hours of the Morning.” A Love Once New, by Autumn Eckman, also portrays love and the passage of time. The piece was inspired by the title and opening passage of the sonnet “I know I am but summer to your heart; And not the full four seasons of the year” by Edna St. Vincent Millay. The piece is set to a score by UA Dance musician Joe Venegoni.

In a stunning interpretation of an 8th century Japanese legend, Jessica Lang’s Among the Stars brings to life a celestial love story about two gods who are forbidden to see each other except for one night a year. This piece was originally commissioned by TITAS for the Command Performance Gala and premiered in 2010 to a magical score by composer Ryuichi Sakamoto. In a recent review Philip Gardner writes, “In this ecstatic duet, the dancers share fleeting moments of intimacy while ever-aware that the sea of stars will soon separate them again.”

Dances from the Heart. Come see and be moved.

Tickets: Adult $35; Senior/Military/UA Employee $30; Student $15

Season Subscriptions Available
  • Wednesday Feb. 13, 7:30 PM
  • Thursday Feb. 14, 7:30 PM
  • Friday Feb. 15, 7:30 PM
  • Saturday Feb. 16, 1:30 PM
  • Saturday Feb. 16, 7:30 PM
  • Sunday Feb. 17, 1:30 PM

Na Floresta and Among the Stars are made possible through the generous support of The James H. and Frances R. Allen Family Foundation, Sandy & Elliott Heiman, Ruth & Ron Kolker, the Fikkan and Sherwood Artist in Residence Fund and the Ballet Masterworks Fund.

 

Photo: Na Floresta by Nacho Duato, courtesy of Universal Ballet-Seoul, South Korea

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On this Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2021, UA Dance remembers the Selma to Montgomery voting rights march led by Dr. King in March 1965. We are proud to have taken part in the 50th anniversary commemoration that took place in March 2015. Professor Melissa Lowe received an invitation from Alabama Gov. Robert J. Bentley and under her coordination, faculty member Barbea Williams choreographed a piece and traveled with now School of Dance alumni, Kennedy Thomas and Kevyn Butler to Alabama where they performed on the steps of the Alabama State Capitol in a nationally televised ceremony. Bernice King, Dr. King’s daughter, was among the featured speakers. Thomas and Butler also performed in educational programming designed for youth and the three participated in lectures and discussions.

Of the experience, Lowe said, “This is one of my high points in all of my years of teaching. When we can send a dancer to an event that is of national importance, it not only provides great visibility and prestige for us, but it is a great opportunity for our dancers.”

Photo left to right: UA Dance Ensemble members Kevyn Butler and Kennedy Thomas, Bernice King, UA Dance faculty member Barbea Williams at the 50th anniversary commemoration of the Selma to Montgomery March in Alabama (2015)
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19 hours ago

On this Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2021, UA Dance remembers the Selma to Montgomery voting rights march led by Dr. King in March 1965. We are proud to have taken part in the 50th anniversary commemoration that took place in March 2015. Professor Melissa Lowe received an invitation from Alabama Gov. Robert J. Bentley and under her coordination, faculty member Barbea Williams choreographed a piece and traveled with now School of Dance alumni, Kennedy Thomas and Kevyn Butler to Alabama where they performed on the steps of the Alabama State Capitol in a nationally televised ceremony. Bernice King, Dr. King’s daughter, was among the featured speakers. Thomas and Butler also performed in educational programming designed for youth and the three participated in lectures and discussions.

Of the experience, Lowe said, “This is one of my high points in all of my years of teaching. When we can send a dancer to an event that is of national importance, it not only provides great visibility and prestige for us, but it is a great opportunity for our dancers.”

Photo left to right: UA Dance Ensemble members Kevyn Butler and Kennedy Thomas, Bernice King, UA Dance faculty member Barbea Williams at the 50th anniversary commemoration of the Selma to Montgomery March in Alabama (2015)
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Cheers to our graduating dance majors!
We are so proud of you. 💙 ❤️

BFA
Elise Cricchio,
Katie McCluskey, &
Ben Ferguson, Outstanding Senior!

MFA
Emigdio Arredondo Martínez

Celebrate their big achievement by visiting: graduation.cfa.arizona.edu
... See MoreSee Less

1 month ago

Cheers to our graduating dance majors! 
We are so proud of you. 💙 ❤️

BFA
Elise Cricchio,
Katie McCluskey, &
Ben Ferguson, Outstanding Senior!

MFA
Emigdio Arredondo Martínez

Celebrate their big achievement by visiting: https://graduation.cfa.arizona.eduImage attachmentImage attachment+2Image attachment
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How exciting. Congrats

i love you all!!💙💙❤️❤️

Congratulations!💙❤️

CONGrats!🎉

Well done! Congratulations!

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Now Showing!
UA Dance Digital Debut: Dec. 15-20 & Jan. 5-10
Online/On-Demand
Free Admission
To register and watch: watch.dance.arizona.edu

Join UA Dance for a virtual performance of works produced during the Fall 2020 semester that capture and juxtapose the isolation and togetherness of our current collective experience. The program features a new work by Hayley Meier, a re-staging of Elizabeth George-Fesch's “Woven” (2016), a new poppin' take on a holiday classic by Marquez Johnson, and an excerpt from Paul Taylor's “Cloven Kingdom” (1976). Plus, view an improvisation collaboration featuring the entire freshman class!

Photo by Ed Flores
... See MoreSee Less

1 month ago

Now Showing! 
UA Dance Digital Debut: Dec. 15-20 & Jan. 5-10
Online/On-Demand
Free Admission
To register and watch: watch.dance.arizona.edu

Join UA Dance for a virtual performance of works produced during the Fall 2020 semester that capture and juxtapose the isolation and togetherness of our current collective experience. The program features a new work by Hayley Meier, a re-staging of Elizabeth George-Feschs “Woven” (2016), a new poppin take on a holiday classic by Marquez Johnson, and an excerpt from Paul Taylors “Cloven Kingdom” (1976). Plus, view an improvisation collaboration featuring the entire freshman class!

Photo by Ed Flores
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Thank you UA Dance!!!

Happy last day of classes! Already looking forward to 2021 back in the studio!

Photo: Erina Ueda
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1 month ago

Happy last day of classes! Already looking forward to 2021 back in the studio! 

Photo: Erina Ueda
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Such a gorgeous space!

Beautiful, Erina💜

Beautiful!

>> Pointes from Professors <<
Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies, Tamara Dyke-Compton, is the co-director of dance at Perry Mansfield Performing Arts Camp, has been on faculty for Dance Masters of America, Domaine Forget in Montreal, and The Dance Project in Toronto. She has performed principal roles in Twyla Tharp’s “Movin’ Out,” as well as the national Broadway tour of “Fame.”

Tammy tells us how she ensures she is providing equal attention to both online and in-person students simultaneously:

“I always like to check in with my students—when we first log onto Zoom and with my in-person dancers—with a simple ‘Good morning, how is everyone?’ We usually start every class with a mindfulness pause and set our intention for the class. This allows us all to be present, in the moment, and connect as a class even if it is virtually.”
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2 months ago

>> Pointes from Professors
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I had the opportunity to watch Camryn in your class last year . You are such a gift to U of AZ...

Bella would love to take class with you again!

Mom and dad did something right You should be proud What a beauty. Inside and out

Christopher loves your classes! 🥰🤗👍

Congratulations to LILY CONG, who was the 2019/2020 Ralphie Spirit Award winner!

One way we celebrate our UArizona Dance values is the Ralphie Spirit Award, a recognition named in memory of dance major Ralph Romero. This peer selected award recognizes a dancer in our program who exemplifies these five qualities:
OPTIMISM of the “glass is always full” variety;
KINDNESS that manifests itself in daily acts of generosity;
ASPIRATION that is undaunted and filled with the lust for life;
A SENSE OF SELF that is unique and unapologetic; and
AN ATTITUDE of the noble variety

Former Dance Collective club president, Ally Hauke, wrote “Lily is a beautiful example of everything this award is. Her kindness spreads throughout the entire program….She has been an inspiring and gracious leader to not only her freshman class, but to the program as a whole! Thank you Lily for the love and positivity you've brought into the program this past year— we are so grateful, and you're appreciated by all of us!”
... See MoreSee Less

2 months ago

Congratulations to LILY CONG, who was the 2019/2020 Ralphie Spirit Award winner!

One way we celebrate our UArizona Dance values is the Ralphie Spirit Award, a recognition named in memory of dance major Ralph Romero. This peer selected award recognizes a dancer in our program who exemplifies these five qualities:
OPTIMISM of the “glass is always full” variety;
KINDNESS that manifests itself in daily acts of generosity;
ASPIRATION that is undaunted and filled with the lust for life;
A SENSE OF SELF that is unique and unapologetic; and
AN ATTITUDE of the noble variety

Former Dance Collective club president, Ally Hauke, wrote “Lily is a beautiful example of everything this award is. Her kindness spreads throughout the entire program….She has been an inspiring and gracious leader to not only her freshman class, but to the program as a whole! Thank you Lily for the love and positivity youve brought into the program this past year— we are so grateful, and youre appreciated by all of us!”
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Congratulations that's fabulous

Congratulations Lily

Congrats !!!! Such an honor !!!

CONGrats, Lil’ 💙❤️

Congratulations Lily!

Congratulations to you, Lily! 🎉❤️

Congratulations!! This is so awesome!!!

Congratulations, Lily!

Congratulations Lily!!! 🎉

This is so wonderful. I knew Ralph Romero and he had all of those attributes. So glad you guys are doing this still💜

Congratulations 🎉

Sooooo well deserved!! ❤️

Congrats 🎉🎈🎊

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All photos by Ed Flores featuring UA Dance Ensemble members unless otherwise noted.

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