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Celebrate 'The Gift' with BYU’s Christmas Around the World

December 02, 2015 12:00 AM
This year’s “Christmas Around the World” celebration at Brigham Young University–featuring the International Folk Dance Ensemble and sponsored by the BYU Department of Dance–will take place in the Marriott Center Friday and Saturday, Dec. 4 and 5, at 7:30 p.m., with a 2 p.m. Saturday matinee. Tickets are $10-20, with discounts available for alumni, students, employees, senior citizens and groups. Tickets can be purchased in person at the BYU Ticket Office in the Harris Fine Arts Center or Marriott Center, by phone at 801-422-2981 or online at byuarts.com. This year’s theme, “The Gift,” will be demonstrated in a performance of more than 150 student dancers, singers and musicians in colorful costumes who bring their talents to share the world’s Christmas traditions. The program will feature dances and music from dozens of countries across the globe including China, Croatia, Haiti, Mexico and Palestine. In her fifth year as artistic director, Jeanette Geslison cites the students as the heart and soul of this annual tradition. “In this production we journey, as the Wise Men of old, through different areas of the world as we eventually end in the Holy Land,” said Geslison. “We celebrate and honor cultural diversity through principles of love and goodwill. These cultural presentations are truly gifts at this time of year.” This performance will feature International Folk Dance Ensemble and guest musical performers will include Mountain Strings, BYU Men’s Chorus and the Intermountain Symphony Orchestra.
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Giving Back to Community Through Dance Education

October 08, 2015 12:00 AM
BYU Alumnus Shaun Parry not only gives back to the community, but shows students how they can as well. Dance Education student, Kyla Threlfall, had the opportunity to work with Shaun Parry in India as she volunteered for Promethean Spark International, the organization Parry founded. She spent the winter semester of 2014 teaching dance, using methodology Parry taught her. Threlfall first heard of Parry’s India program because her sister was in Parry’s ward in New York City. She shared the information with Threlfall, knowing her interest in dance education, and Threlfall jumped on the opportunity to volunteer. Threlfall’s experience led her to teaching classes at a boarding school in Tamul Nadu for kids from kindergarten to ninth grade. She was the only one teaching the dance classes while other volunteers focused on medical assistance and other service projects. She worked closely with Parry on implementing life skills into dance lessons. “We would try role plays of figuring out how I would add in a life skill to a simple movement,” Threlfall said. From this experience Threlfall learned how to be vocal about what the students were learning. She explained that if an exercise required teamwork, she would make sure the students knew that what they were doing was exhibiting teamwork. She used this to have them think of ways to use teamwork in their everyday lives. “The performing arts inherently teaches life skills, sometimes they just needed help recognizing it,” she said. In India, society tells people with leprosy that they cannot do anything worthwhile in their life because they are “untouchable,” Threllfall said. Parry showed her the importance of changing that perception. “He taught me that a major part of my job was ... to let them know that with hard work they can accomplish their dreams,” Threllfall said. As a Dance Education major, Threlfall hopes to implement the teachings from this experience in her future career. Her philosophy goes beyond creating good dancers, but creating good people. “After learning from Shaun, I now have a foundation to use with my future students,” she said. FEATURE PHOTO: Kyla Threlfall and the LifeDance Company.
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National Dance Company of Siberia to perform at BYU Oct. 1

October 01, 2015 12:00 AM
The Brigham Young University BRAVO! series presents the National Dance Company of Siberia, in the de Jong Concert Hall, on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 - $30, with discounts available for alumni, students, employees and senior citizens. Tickets can be purchased in person at the BYU Ticket Office in the Harris Fine Arts Center or Marriott Center, by phone at 801-422-2981, or online at byuarts.com. Hailing from Krasnoyarsk, Russia, the National Dance Company of Siberia has enthralled audiences worldwide since 1960. Coordinating more than fifty dancers in striking costumes, the artistic director, Vladmir Moisevev, leads the company as they exhibit the rich traditions and folklore of Siberia. Their performances captures the heart of the Siberian soul with original melodies from Vladimir Kornev, the company’s music director, and choreography by the company’s founder, Mikhail Godenko. 'Our community stands uniquely prepared to appreciate the talents of this company of dancers because we value cultural exploration and discovery,' said Jeffrey Martin, producer of performing arts for the College of Fine Arts and Communications and presenter of the BRAVO! series. 'Many of us learn foreign languages, participate in international study abroad programs, and, of course, spend time overseas in missionary service.' This performance is sponsored by BRAVO! Professional Performing Arts at BYU, the university’s concert series that hosts world-renowned guest artists from across the globe. Performance Date: Thurs, Oct. 1, 2015 Time: 7:30 p.m. Location: de Jong Concert Hall, Harris Fine Arts Center, BYU Price: $20 (with discounts for senior citizens, BYU students, employees and alumni) Tickets: Available in person at the BYU Ticket Office in the Harris Fine Arts Center or Marriott Center, by phone at 801-422-2981 or online at byuarts.com
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American Folk Dance Ensemble to Perform at Festival in Croatia

July 08, 2015 12:00 AM
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
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CDT Lands in Czech Republic

July 08, 2015 12:00 AM
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
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BYU Young Ambassadors presents “Heartsongs: Melodies of Love"

February 27, 2015 12:00 AM
Brigham Young University’s Young Ambassadors will perform “Heartsongs: Melodies of Love” Thursday through Saturday, March 5-7 in the de Jong Concert Hall, 7:30 p.m. along with a 2 p.m. Saturday matinee. Tickets are $12, with discounts available to alumni, seniors and students, 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. “Heartsongs: Melodies of Love,” highlights some of the world’s all-time favorite love songs in a vibrant musical journey through the rollercoaster of life. With show tunes from award-winning Broadway musicals “Cinderella,” “Singin’ In the Rain” and “Thoroughly Modern Millie” along with international hits by The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Michael Bublé, Adele and Michael Jackson, the performance celebrates life’s unforgettable seasons of love in a spirited 90-minute showcase that is appropriate for family members of all ages. Wearing colorful costumes and filling the stage with a kaleidoscope of dance and musical styles, the Young Ambassadors’ concerts provide a glimpse of their unique vision of international understanding, born of decades of goodwill tours around the world. Dance styles range from tap to the syncopated rhythms of the Caribbean islands, while featuring the next generation of contemporary sounds and choreography. The 2013—2014 season locations for “Heartsongs: Melodies of Love” included performance halls throughout Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia. The upcoming touring season includes performances in Utah, Idaho, Nevada, California, and Illinois. To commemorate the groups 45 years of world tours, The Young Ambassadors will be joined by group alumni and accompanied by a live ten-piece show band that features some of the university’s finest instrumental performers. These musicians’ animated performances enhance each number so audiences always get what they came for: a night of talent and entertainment in every facet of the performance. Over the past 45 years, the Young Ambassadors have shared their remarkable talent and energy in almost 70 countries. The talented group traveled to Australia in 2008 for a special three-week tour where they performed for the legislators in the Queensland State Parliament in Brisbane. The Young Ambassadors have also performed for heads of state in India, Britain, Jordan, Egypt, Japan and the United States. Since 2000, the Young Ambassadors have been to Brazil, Argentina, the 2002 Winter Olympics, Canada, Russia, Australia, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, twice to China, Tasmania, Africa, throughout Scandinavia and all over the United States. The Young Ambassadors represent the School of Music in cooperation with the Department of Dance from the BYU College of Fine Arts and Communications. For more information and to download production photos, visit youngambassadors.byu.edu. Tickets and Show Details Performance Dates: March 5-7, 2015 Times: 7:30 p.m. (with a 2 p.m. Saturday matinee) Location: de Jong Concert Hall, Harris Fine Arts Center, BYU Price: $12 (with $4 off for students and $1 off for alumni and seniors) Tickets: Available at the BYU Ticket Office in the Harris Fine Arts Center or Marriott Center, by phone 801.422.2981 or visit byuarts.com. For a limited time, a discount two-for-one promotion code is available at the Young Ambassadors’ event page at BYUarts.com.
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BYU DEPARTMENT OF DANCE PRESENTS “DANCE IN CONCERT 40TH ANNIVERSARY”

February 17, 2015 12:00 AM
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.
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Living Legends Auditions This Week

August 27, 2014 12:00 AM
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.
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YASE Camp Underway

July 14, 2014 12:00 AM
Photo by Jocelyn Bowman. The Young Ambassador Singing Entertainer Workshop (YASE) is underway at BYU for two one-week sessions this month. YASE prepares ambitious high school students improve their skills and understanding of music, dance and theatre. YASE is a camp where the teachers are the BYU Young Ambassadors, who take time to help teenagers put together a show after a week of high-energy musical dance training that includes group classes, auditions, rehearsals and performance-enhancement workshops. YASE attendees also enjoy an outdoor barbecue, a fireside given by Young Ambassadors and a final concert on Friday. “I loved being able to step into a high level of professionalism as we embarked on the challenge of putting a show together in less than one week,” said Tanner DeWaal, the current president of Young Ambassadors. DeWaal attended YASE when he was in high school, and attributes much of his happiness in his Music Dance Theatre (MDT) major to the time he spent there. “I am still great friends with a number of people who I originally met at YASE camp,” DeWaal said. “As a person with a passion for performing, there isn’t anything else I would more strongly recommend to a young performing artist than to be a part of this summer camp.” For more information about YASE camp, click here.
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Young Ambassadors take on Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam

May 21, 2014 12:00 AM
The Young Ambassadors started their week off in Siem Reap, Cambodia. This is the first time the Young Ambassadors have ever visited this beautiful country. One of the first things the group was able to do was tour parts of Angkor Wat. Translated, Angkor Wat means 'City of Temples' and is considered to be the largest religious monument in the world. That same night, the group met with 400 LDS church members for a devotional. The capital city of Phnom Penh was next. The group had the humbling experience of visiting the Killing Fields Memorial at Cheoung Ek and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Tears were shed as the group toured these locations where many people were tortured and killed during the reign of Khmer Rouge.
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Young Ambassadors director inspires beyond the stage

March 28, 2014 12:00 AM
It’s 10 p.m. in a bitterly cold New York City. As light and excitement pour out from the windows of a late-night diner, a growing crowd flows into the establishment. Inside, surrounded by dozens of his former BYU students, sits Randy Boothe. It is Boothe’s last night in the city, and he makes it a point to take advantage of every chance to catch up with his graduates.
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BYU'S Living Legends Performs “Seasons"

February 18, 2014 12:00 AM
Janielle Christensen, artistic director In a performance of extravagant dancing, culturally-inspired music and intricate costumes, Brigham Young University’s Living Legends celebrates the Latin American, Native American, and Polynesian cultures in Seasons. Each year, hundreds of BYU students audition for the opportunity to pay tribute to their ancestors through music and dancing. The audition process is competitive–accepting only the best singers and dancers–but all Living Legends members are of Native American, Latin American, or Polynesian heritage. Spectacular choreography, colorful costumes, and heart-pounding music bring to life the skill, beauty and authenticity of these traditional cultures. From the graceful Hawaiian hula and Mexican fiesta dances to the excitement and beauty of a Native American pow wow, this year’s Living Legends performance reflects the cycle of civilizations through the portrayal of changing seasons and weaves together legends of the past with the reality of today. Performance Information Feb. 21-22, 7:30 pm Age 2+ admitted to this performance with a ticket.
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BYU Contemporary Dance Theatre to perform in Beijing

November 06, 2013 12:00 AM
This month, the National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Beijing will host BYU’s Contemporary Dance Theatre (CDT) in a performance of their latest show, “Encounters.” The performance is part of the larger “Chun Hua Oiu Shi” festival, a week of selected performances from arts universities in China. Stephen Jones, Dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communications, expressed his appreciation for the opportunity of BYU students and faculty to take part in the event November 13. “Our Department of Dance is honored to be invited to participate with you in this prestigious festival, honoring the growth, the strength, and the superb skills of our students,” Jones said. The invitation to perform at this festival emerges from the relationships that BYU has been building with the Chinese audiences and arts administrators for more than thirty years. “Despite our differences in language and the differences that separate us in geography, the value of the arts, including those human expressions of love, goodness, truth, beauty and excellence that unite us,” Jones said. For Jones, the invitation is a natural outgrowth of not just of the mutual admiration between BYU and its Chinese counterparts but also from the hard work and creativity espoused by BYU’s dance program. “These students and their faculty strive for excellence and regularly receive national and international recognition for the quality of their performance,” Jones said. The NCPA has been host to hundreds of outstanding dancers, musicians and actors since its inaugural concert in 2007. BYU’s contemporary dance team joins this long list of world-class talent with their performance. “The meaning of the title of our concert, Encounters, include the ideas, images and possibilities of all the ways that we might connect, and the notion that every encounter might change us,” said Marylin Berrett, chair of the Department of Dance. The CDT will dance to the music of composers George Gershwin, Ishan Rustem, and others as they portray captivating encounters with people, places and ideas. After exploring all of these encounters, the show will reach its fitting culmination in a collaboration between BYU and the Beijing Dance Academy. “We are so thrilled that the students from the Beijing Dance Academy are joining with the students from Brigham Young University in an East meets West encounter. This is a most remarkable opportunity for us,” Berrett said. Visit dance.byu.edu for more information on BYU’s dance programs.
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Young Ambassadors Celebrate Family Values in China

April 22, 2013 12:00 AM
In 1979 the Young Ambassadors became one of the first American groups to travel to China after diplomatic recognition between the two countries. This spring the Young Ambassadors will return to China for the eighth time. Their three-week tour, from April 27 to May 20, will include cities the group initially visited in 1979–Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong–and also Tianjin, Jinan, Hefei, and Xi’an. The Young Ambassadors received significant media attention during their previous tours, including a 2007 documentary aired by China Central TV explaining the history of the Young Ambassadors in China and the relationships that have since developed. During their first China tour in 1979, the Young Ambassadors gave a private performance for 15 high government officials. The reaction of those officials would determine the extent to which the group would perform while in China. At the end of that show, artistic director of the Young Ambassadors Randy Boothe recalled the Chinese officials announcing, “Tonight the Young Ambassadors will perform in the Red Tower Theatre,” which at the time was the most prestigious theatre in Beijing. Through their joint efforts with the Chinese Performing Arts Agency, the Young Ambassador’s have presented throughout China. During this next tour the Young Ambassadors will join the Beijing Dance Academy, one of the most prestigious dance schools in China, for a performance. They will also return to the Meet in Beijing Arts Festival, which they last attended in 2005. Representatives from BYU and China have developed strong friendships from such regular interaction over the years and look forward to working together again. “Our friends in China have always welcomed us with open arms,” said Boothe. “Returning to China is a dream come true, and we look forward to making new friends as we share our unique brand of family entertainment through the best of America’s music and dance.” The Young Ambassadors certainly bring a style of music unique to American musical theatre and radio. Harmony showcases music from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Hairspray, Dreamgirls, and Carousel, as well as popular songs by Michael Bublé, the Gershwin brothers, and Benny Goodman. The Young Ambassadors are making every effort to communicate clearly with their Chinese audiences. The lyrics will have Mandarin supertitles and the video will have a Chinese voice-over. In addition to their very American-style music, the Young Ambassadors are also preparing an original piece for their Chinese audience titled “Take a Step,” composed by Boothe and Stephen Jones, dean of BYU’s College of Fine Arts and Communications, with choreography by Jiamin Huang, a former student of the Beijing Dance Academy. According to Boothe, “this is a tribute to our friends in China, showing the deep respect we have for them and their commitment to family values.” Set during the Chinese New Year, the piece tells the story of a young couple sharing a message of strength and the importance of family with their infant–then hearing the same message retold by the couple’s ancestors. Chris Udall, a soloist for “Take a Step,” looks forward to sharing the message of family with Chinese audiences. “The entire message of the Young Ambassadors show is about the importance of families,” he said. “I hope the message can touch their hearts and strengthen their family bonds.” The Young Ambassadors have a Pacific Northwest midsemester tour before they cross the ocean in April. From February 22 to March 2, they will perform in Idaho (Nampa), Washington (Richland, Everett, Marysville, Kent, Bremerton, and Olympia), and Oregon (Hillsboro). Watch KSL's feature on Young Ambassadors here. Source: BYU Performing Arts Management
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Contemporary Dance Theatre-Bringing the Rhythm of Life to India

August 07, 2012 12:00 AM
Equipped with an eight-foot trampoline, benches, and mattresses, Contemporary Dance Theatre will travel this summer to India to perform The Rhythm of Life. The show explores the rhythm of the world interpreted through dance and music–from the simple rhythm of a heartbeat to the rhythm of the street. The last group traveled to India in 2001. The company will be performing for audiences in Delhi, Mumbai, Vishakhapatnam, and Goa–to name a few. Members of the company are excited to share the experience of dance with the people in India. “I am most excited to be exposed to a totally new culture,” said group member Kristin Brown. “I can’t wait to dance and share our light with so many amazing people in India. I know I am going to learn so much about myself and be changed for the rest of my life.” One of the dances, “Chakra,” is choreographed by Ivan Pulinkala, originally from New Delhi, India. The dance applies the principles of balance and energy as a metaphor for the human struggle to regain equilibrium in modern society. The word chakra is derived from traditional Indian medicine, which identifies seven energy craters that reside in the human body. The dance requires an eight-foot, wheel-shaped trampoline that rolls across the stage, symbolizing the cycle of life from birth to death. Each of the members of the company has a favorite. For Jeneca Frederiksen that number is “Woman the Pioneer,” a tribute to women of faith and courage everywhere. The dance depicts a woman who has suffered the loss of a child as she travels across the plains with the Mormon pioneers. “The piece shows her grief and sorrow over losing a child and the process of moving forward despite that,” Frederiksen said. “It is a very moving piece, and one that is difficult emotionally to perform and see. But it is by far my favorite.” Although the tour to India is months away, the group practices 12 hours a week. Contemporary dance is a conglomeration of dance genres molded into one. It requires dancers to move their torsos, fly through the air, and communicate through intricate and abstract movements. Logan McGill considers storytelling a key component of contemporary dance. “Contemporary dance is about allowing the audience to become a part of the dancing experience,” McGill said. “It is about the audience and performers giving and taking from each other to create an experience that is fun, emotional, and, most important, unforgettable.” Source: Performing Arts Management
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BYU Living Legends plan performances Jan. 15-16

January 07, 2010 12:00 AM
Living Legends, a performing group at Brigham Young University celebrating the Polynesian, Native American and Latin American cultures, will perform Friday and Saturday, Jan. 15-16, at 7:30 p.m. in the de Jong Concert Hall.
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From Carnegie Hall to the Olympics, BYU performers dazzle audiences during summer tours

August 28, 2008 12:00 AM
by Ed Blaser In a single summer, Brigham Young University performing groups delivered more than 100 shows and countless workshops to thousands of people worldwide. Each year these groups, from the School of Music and Dance Department, leave Provo to share their love and energy with people around the globe. Living up to the university’s motto, “The world is our campus,” students traveled to nearly every continent, including North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. The Chamber Orchestra’s tour of the eastern United States was filled with firsts for many of the student musicians. Not only did they bring their energy and sensational music to more than 7,000 people during their tour, they also learned about the roots of American culture and history. The group traveled to Washington, D.C.; Boston; New York City; and other historically significant cities. They were also afforded the opportunity to perform for a full house at Carnegie Hall, one of the United States’ most famous venues for classical and popular music. Carnegie Hall is known for its beauty, history and acoustics. Playing in the hall built by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie was a definitely a first for Chamber Orchestra and director Kory Katseanes. During the tour a special outreach performance was arranged at a boys’ home for troubled teens in Rochester, New York. After the remarkable presentation, all who were present experienced feelings of peace, including one prison guard who responded to the show by saying, “This was the most relaxing hour I have had in 20 years!” Living Legends took its production, 'Seasons,' to Chile and delighted more than 18,000 audience members with a captivating storyline and an authentic performance. 'Seasons' incorporated themes from Chile’s own Latin American heritage, as well as the cultural heritage of Native American and Polynesian music and dance. Pablo Penailillo, the single Chilean member of Living Legends, recalled how the audience would stand up and sing along to the cueca, the national dance of Chile, and clap and cheer to la negra, a popular dance that originates in Mexico. Synthesis, the “Big Band” from BYU, was selected to perform at five international jazz festivals in England and Scotland, where visitors found more jazz per square inch than in New Orleans. The group made their way through Birmingham, Marlborough, Wigan, Durham and Edinburgh, and performed ten different times. Everywhere they went, the Synthesis musicians were received enthusiastically. Shows were sold out and others were bursting at the seams. People couldn’t help but tap their feet and nod their heads to the beats that resonated first in their ears and then in the heart., said director Ray Smith. Every measure presented a surprise – a complexity of rhythms and beats strung together in new and innovative ways. Chamber Orchestra, Living Legends and Synthesis originate in the School of Music in the College of Fine Arts and Communications. Meanwhile, the Young Ambassadors went “down under” to various cities on the eastern coast of Australia, as well as Tasmania. Their performance, 'The New American Songbook,' featured popular music from the 1960s through today, with a few Broadway hits mixed in. After a 25-year absence from the country, the Young Ambassadors were pleased to return with the opportunity to perform this show, which even included a few Australian folk songs. A highlight of the tour was the Young Ambassadors’ performance for the legislators in the Queensland State Parliament in Brisbane. The group’s presence was recorded in the minutes of Parliament – a first recognition of its kind for BYU. Mike Reynolds, speaker of Parliament, said afterward that he was impressed with the musical skill of the Ambassadors. Reynolds commented that in a time when academic institutions “have eliminated the academic music programs, BYU has chosen to showcase this important medium.” The Young Ambassadors are produced by the School of Music in cooperation with the Department of Dance. The International Folk Dance Ensemble was privileged to take its dancing to Central Europe and share the stage with some of the continent’s finest performing folk ensembles. The performance was a celebration of cultures. Ed Austin, artistic director, said, “The production is steeped in tradition – a patchwork of mankind’s finest expression– an attempt to preserve fragments of diversity that might otherwise be forgotten.” The U.S. Ambassador to Hungary, April Foley, called the production a “triumph” and extended her appreciation for the “tireless, young ensemble that showcased the cultural heritage of the United States.” Ambassador Foley also presented the group with the Ambassador’s Award for Cultural Diplomacy, which recognizes those who “display exceptional talent and exceptional service to the goal of friendship between America and Hungary.” A special occasion was afforded to the Ballroom Dance Company, which had the opportunity of performing at the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Cultural Festival in The People's Republic of China. This event highlighted the diversity and spirit in the arts from around the globe. The occasion to take part in the Olympic festivities was a bright complement to BYU. Tour coordinator Rex Barrington explained, “The opportunity was granted largely because of the impressive reputation BYU performers have established in China over the years.” In the three weeks of their tour they also performed in Hong Kong and eight other cities throughout China, five of which would later host Olympic sporting events. A strong relationship with the Chinese Performing Arts Agency led to a full taping of their performance, with an estimated 480 million people watching on China Central Television this summer. During the tour, dancers were also able to share feelings of peace and comfort after the country experienced a devastating earthquake in central China, which took almost 70,000 lives. Brad Peterson said, “They received us wholeheartedly – their eyes were full of light and appreciation.” The International Folk Dance Ensemble and Ballroom Dance Company both originate in the Department of Dance of the College of Health and Human Performance. Performing Arts Management represents the touring ensembles that originate from the School of Music and the Department of Dance. Source: BYU News
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BYU Theatre Ballet to honor master choreographer Anthony Tudor in concerts Feb. 21-23

February 11, 2008 12:00 AM
by Marissa Ballantyne Brigham Young University’s Theatre Ballet will perform two works to honor master choreographer Antony Tudor in a diverse program that celebrates love on all its levels Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 21-23. The nightly performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Pardoe Theatre, and a matinee performance will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday. All tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the BYU Fine Arts Ticket Office or by calling (801) 422-4322. The performance will begin with the Spanish flair of the classical “Paquita,” featuring principal dancers Jenny Macdonald and Roman Avramenko, then continue with classical and contemporary works that reflect the types of love as described by C.S. Lewis in his book, “The Four Loves.” Antony Tudor’s “Little Improvisations” represents “affection”; his “Continuo” and guest choreographer Wilson Domingues’ “Solsticio” reflect “romantic love”; Theatre Ballet Company director Shani Robison’s “Adagio” illuminates the love found in “friendship”; and the premiere performance of Robison’s “Dances to Life,” choreographed to music by Mack Wilberg, defines “charity.” This year, Theatre Ballet will perform two works by Antony Tudor, one of the master ballet choreographers of the past century, said promotion director Lynne Thompson. The company is one of a few select groups performing Tudor’s works in honor of the centennial year of his birth. “The company received a BYU Fulton Grant to host Amanda McKerrow and John Gardner, former principal dancers with American Ballet Theatre, to mentor the students in this rare opportunity to celebrate Tudor’s life and choreographic genius,” said Thompson. “Having danced Tudor’s works under his personal direction, they now represent the Tudor Trust and take his works to professional companies throughout the world.” “The reason why you do this is to enhance the good spirit of the world, and you really feel it here, a lot,” Gardner said of working with BYU Theatre Ballet.“Their work is solid and great, but more than that, it’s the spirit here and that’s rare.” For more information, contact Lynne Thompson at (801) 225-1775. Source: BYU News
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