Living Legends Alumni and Students Took the Stage in Stellar Performances Connecting Generations and Celebrating Culture at BYU.
On Mar. 27, Living Legends celebrated its 55th anniversary with the show “Seasons,” featuring both student and alumni dancers. The colorful “Seasons” show was preceded by a pre-show performance and a recorded message from President Dallin H. Oaks of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Originally known as Lamanite Generation, Living Legends honors Native American, Latin American and Polynesian culture through music and dance.
The reunion allowed for alumni to reconnect with close friends and celebrate generations of sharing Native American, Latin American and Polynesian culture on the stage.
Grace Leong was a freshman when she participated in the group’s 40th reunion and recalls looking up to alumni. Years later, she spent months helping prepare for the 55th anniversary.
“‘Seasons’ is a show that, through song and dance, can share messages of the gospel and the love that our Savior and Heavenly Father have for their people here on Earth,” Leong said.
Leong notes that Living Legends and Lamanite Generation have over 500 alumni.
“Some of us have generational ties where our parents, siblings or relatives danced in the group. Some met our spouses in this group,” Leong said. “Some are now seeing their children in the group. Many of us have made lifelong friends and consider them family because of this group.”
A pre-recorded video of President Oaks was played to open the performance, but he surprised the group by attending the show in person. Leong highlights how his attendance made the anniversary even more special.
“President Oaks had a huge role in the forming of the group when it first started,” Leong said. “He helped Lamanite Generation become a stepping stone in missionary work through cultural dance and exchange.”
Collaboration, hard work and conquering challenges all brought the performance together.
It had been years since Living Legends alum and busy mom of four, Amanda Sorenson, last performed on stage. Leading up to the anniversary performance, Sorenson spent hours practicing distributed dance tutorials. She even re-learned how to play a mariachi number on her violin for the pre-show performance.
“I surprised myself, and it turned out amazing,” Sorenson said. “It was worth all the effort, sacrifice, tears and doubt.”
Sorenson proposed that the children of the group’s alumni learn a simple song and dance from a video tutorial. After weeks of practice, the children were able to perform on stage alongside their parents.
“It felt like that scripture about the hearts of the children being turned to the hearts of their fathers,” Sorenson said. “We had the previous generation, our ancestors that we love to honor and dance for and the current Living Legends. During our alumni number, we had some of the kiddos — the future generations — dance with us as well.”
Sorenson looks up to her fellow alumni and commemorates current Living Legends stars for their flawless technique, incredible choreography and upbeat energy.
“I want to tell current Living Legends dancers not to forget the sacredness of who they are, the sacredness of the message we are trying to share and the importance of sharing your culture with the world,” Sorenson said.
Connecting alumni and current students allowed the groups to express gratitude for each other.
“I think we have a lot to learn from the future and previous generations,” Sorenson said. “As long as mutual respect keeps flowing, we can all keep learning from one another.”
Don’t miss the chance to be dazzled by Living Legends. Visit dance.byu.edu to learn more about BYU’s dance groups.
