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Dance majors give graduating performances

April 7, 2010

KALAMAZOO--Senior dance majors at Western Michigan University will present their final concert, "Common Anomaly," in Studio B on the third floor of the Dalton Center Thursday through Sunday, April 15-18.

'Common Anomaly' performances

  • Thursday, April 15--8 p.m.
  • Friday, April 16--8 p.m.
  • Saturday, April 17--2 p.m.
  • Saturday, April 17--8 p.m.
  • Sunday, April 18--2 p.m.

Tickets are $5 general admission and may only be purchased at the door prior to each performance.

"Common Anomaly" features the world premiere of six works by up-and-coming choreographers Heather Bayley, Valerie Lober, Michael McDonald, Carolyn Pampalone, Erica Pedersen and Kia Smith. All six artists are seniors in WMU's Bachelor of Fine Arts dance program and expect to graduate in May.

  • Bayley's modern piece uses abstract movement and literal gesture phrases to explore burden and overcoming hardships.

  • Lober will present a piece on political relationships and liberal conflict. Through modern and contemporary movement, she explores such issues as gay marriage and the separation of church and state.

  • McDonald will present a piece inspired by the loss of his mother and the spiritual connection that remains despite physical absence. He conveys his message using contemporary movement from a balletic base, executed with complete emotional commitment and reckless abandonment.

  • Pampalone's piece explores the use of applicability by expanding the mark left by movement and art on individuals and their lives.

  • Pedersen will present a piece exploring four main stages of one's life. The movement and musical influence in each of the four sections will represent innocence, the loss of innocence, hardship and contentment.

  • Smith will present a piece in response to the ongoing Civil War in Uganda.

The evening will also include a commissioned piece by WMU artist in residence Whitney Moncrie, sponsored by Partners In Dance.

For more information, contact Erica Pedersen at (248) 912-5639.

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Media contact: Nina Nelson, (269) 387-5833, nina.nelson@wmich.edu

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