In a mesmerizing fusion of music and movement, the University of Arizona School of Dance
took center stage at the Linda Ronstadt Music Hall alongside the Tucson Symphony Orchestra,
delivering enchanting performances of Maurice Ravel’s Boléro.
Boléro, a dance piece co-choreographed by Duane Cyrus and Tamara Dyke-Compton, unfolded
as a unique and harmonious blend of styles and forms, marking the latest collaboration between
the School of Dance and the orchestra. This partnership, which has flourished over nearly two
decades, aims to provide invaluable professional learning experiences for the School of Dance
students. Boléro follows in the footsteps of previous collaborations, with the first dating back to
2005–06 when the School of Dance contributed to a performance of Strauss’s “The Emperor
Waltz.”
Kyle Anders, a senior at the University of Arizona, shared his enthusiasm for the experience,
stating, “Performing Boléro was an incredible experience for me, as it was my first time
performing to live music. It was amazing to share the space with the orchestra and feed off their
energy and dynamics while performing for a crowd of over 1500 people.” The sentiment was
echoed by fellow senior Ashley Schrader, who described the performance as “surreal” and
unforgettable. Junior Ava Furukawa expressed the reward of showcasing their hard work on a
grand stage and emphasized the fulfillment of seeing it all come together during the
performance.
This collaboration with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra is just the beginning of a series of
exciting ventures for the School of Dance, including a scholarship benefit with Ballet Tucson and
Hubbard Street Dance Company on Feb. 16, featuring guest speaker Misty Copeland. In March,
School of Dance dancers will take their talents to New York City for the fundraiser “Destiny
Rising.” These initiatives align with Director Duane Cyrus’s vision of preparing students for
thriving professional careers in the dance industry.