Department Of Dance

The American Folk Dance Ensemble arrived in Croatia and met with members of the Zagreb LDS Branch to perform American dances. The group is headed to Karlovac, Croatia for a folk dance festival with dance groups from Bulgaria, Slovakia, Croatia, Macedonia and Polynesia. The American Folk Dance Ensemble arrived safely in Zagreb, Croatia on July 3rd. After a pleasant day of sightseeing at historical sites, the Folk Dancers met that evening with members of the Zagreb LDS Branch. The Folk Dance Ensemble performed several American dances, after which they danced with the members, learning simple “pioneer” dances taught by Colleen West. One of the branch members brought a friend to the activity who had previously danced professionally with the “Lado” Croatian Dance Ensemble. He taught everyone Croatian dances, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. The group is now headed to Karlovac, Croatia to participate in a folk dance festival with other dance groups from Bulgaria, Slovakia, Croatia, Macedonia and Polynesia. The group is now headed to Karlovac, Croatia to participate in a folk dance festival with other dance groups from Bulgaria, Slovakia, Croatia, Macedonia and Polynesia. Source: Performing Arts Management

Contemporary Dance Theatre students spent a rewarding exchange with the Young Single Adults of the Prague and Brno LDS branches. Dances were performed by CDT and then taught to the Czech members. The group is excited for the festivities of The New Prague Dance Festival this week. Landing in the Czech Republic on Friday morning was an exciting moment for members of Contemporary Dance Theatre (CDT). It meant after all the practice and preparation, they had arrived in Europe at last! The group is eager to share their dancing and expertise. After a quick check-in to their Prague hotel and lunch, the group set out on a trip into the countryside. In a little town, Dobrichovice, surrounded by cherry trees and wheat fields, the group spent 90 minutes with a group of orphan children at Flight’s Children’s Home. Together they toured the facility, exchanged English and Czech sayings, and practiced cartwheels and handstands. Afterwards, the BYU dancers performed several dances for the children including American dance styles, Lindy Hop and tap dancing. Then the children joined the CDT dancers in learning a simple yet fun-filled line dance. Many hugs and well wishes were shared during the reluctant goodbyes. Many hugs and well wishes were shared during the reluctant goodbyes. Next the group traveled to and toured the Karlstejn Castle, one of the homes of the 14th Century Bohemian King and Holy Roman Emperor, Charles IV. The history lesson continued the next day as the group traveled to UNESCO sites in Kutna Hora to better understand medieval history. The Gothic cathedrals and bone church, Kostnice, reminded the students of the long and storied past of dedicated believers. Saturday evening, Contemporary Dance Theatre students spent a rewarding exchange with the Young Single Adults of the Prague and Brno LDS branches. Dances were performed by CDT and then taught to the Czech members. New friendships were begun that would be furthered the following morning as CDT joined the members of the Prague Branch in their Sunday services. The Branch extended themselves showing love and generosity towards the BYU performers by providing them a meal and attending their devotional that evening. The Mission President, James McConkie, conducted the devotional presented by the CDT dancers, which was well received. More reluctant goodbyes were had as the students left. President McConkie expressed gratitude and thanked the group for coming to visit the members in Prague. The group is excited for the festivities of The New Prague Dance Festival to commence on Monday. They look forward to sharing their talents and friendship with the other festival participants this coming week. Source: Performing Arts Management

The Brigham Young University Department of Dance and Department of Theatre and Media Arts, in collaboration with Michigan State University, present Theatre Engine: FlashMob, a multi-media performance that combines live dance with smartphone technology on Thursday and Friday, March 26 and 27, at 7:30 p.m., in the Margetts Theatre of the Harris Fine Arts Center at BYU.

The Brigham Young University Department of Dance presents the Contemporary Dance Theatre in “Dance In Concert 40th Anniversary” Friday through Saturday, Feb. 20-21, at 7:30 p.m. in the de Jong Concert Hall, with an additional 2 p.m. matinee Saturday. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased in person at the BYU Ticket Office in the Harris Fine Arts Center or Marriott Center, by phone 801.422.2981 or online at byuarts.com.

The Annual Dance Assembly is this Tuesday, October 28, at 11 a.m. in the Marriott Center at Brigham Young University. Five performance companies–The Ballroom Dance Company, Living Legends, Theatre Ballet, The International Folk Dance Ensemble and Contemporary Dance Theatre–will present a variety of performances focused on the theme “Into the Mountains.”

Please join us for the premier of Full Circle, a compelling new documentary film that tells the story of how one performance by a BYU dance group 30 years ago would inspire a legacy of future dancers in China.

The artistic director for BYU’s Ballroom Dance Company announced his retirement at the end of the school year after directing the group for 35 years.

The summer of 2014 was incredible for the BYU Department of Dance, in part because of an amazing opportunity provided for dancers in all disciplines.

Join us for the free screening of Full Circle, a new documentary film that tells the story of how one performance by a BYU dance group 30 years ago would inspire a legacy of future dancers in China. The screening will take place in the Pardoe Theatre this Saturday, September 20 at 9:15 p.m., directly after the performance of eviDANCE at the de Jong Concert Hallin the HFAC.

The BYU Department of Dance is inviting interested students to audition for the World Dance groups. For the World auditions, women need to bring a male partner.

The internationally acclaimed performance group Living Legends will be holding open auditions for all interested Latin American, Polynesian and Native American full-time BYU students August 28-30, 2014.

The second week on tour was filled with some exciting opportunities for the Folk Dancers at two different festivals.

The Ballroom Dance Company entered its second week on tour with a day of workshops and performances at Dezhou University and the Li Ming Dance School, in Dezhou. After working with dance students, the group finished the day with a performance at Dezhou Grand Theatre.Next came Jinan, where the company gave two performances at the Shandong Grand Theatre and was well received with enthusiastic crowds. Sightseeing in Jinan included visiting the famous Thousand Buddha Mountain. The dancers then departed from Jinan and headed via bullet train to Shanghai.

Brigham Young University's Ballroom Dance Company has dazzled Beijing with their latest showcase 'Capture the Magic'. Champions of the prestigious Blackpool Dance Festival, the team has astounded audiences worldwide with their precision, beauty and skill. During last year's Meet in Beijing arts festival, the Tsinghua University embraced Brigham Young University's Young Ambassadors and their energetic musical. Now at this very same place, another star of the BYU, the Ballroom Dance Company is ready to kick off its world champion showcase 'Capture the Magic'. Championship formation, breath-taking lifts and spins, no one does it better than the Ballroom Dance Company. The troupe has been touring and performing in China since the 1980s, but for most audiences here, the troupe's most recognizable moment came ahead of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. The troupe will continue touring in various locations, including Jinan, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong. So make sure to plan ahead to capture the magic. Read more at CCTV >>>>

Nineteen dancers lie sprawled out on the floor, a highly unusual sight in a typical dance class. The adroit teacher circled the group with perfect posture, walking as gracefully and carefully as a lion. The dancers immediately sat up and watched carefully as the master demonstrated his literally groundbreaking poses and stretches on the ground.

Any wanderer will tell you that there is something magical about discovering new places and old traditions.

The appeal to spread the gospel has been heard by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints far and wide, yet perhaps one of the most creative groups to answer the prophets’ call is BYU’s Living Legends.

Brigham Young University’s Department of Dance will present “A Showcase of New Work” during the dancEnsemble winter concert Friday and Saturday, March 21-22, at 7:30 p.m. in the Richards Building Dance Studio Theatre. A special 2 p.m. matinee performance will be held on Saturday, March 22.