Three upcoming performances from Salt Spring’s student dancers are set to shine brightly on the ArtSpring theatre stage.
At 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 3 and Thursday, June 4, “Ignite!” presents each of the grade 9-12 dancers in this collection of new choreography from the studio at GISS Dance.
This end-of-semester show will include a wide spectrum of emotional and artistic expression. The students study Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz and Hip Hop techniques to support their artistic endeavours; the performance will display the work done this semester. Highlights include senior solos by graduating dancers who will celebrate their years with GISS Dance: Miya deRoos will perform a lyrical Contemporary piece to the song ‘So Low’ by Will Swinton; Sabrina Floritto will perform an upbeat, Hip Hop inspired piece to the song ‘Déjà Vu’ by Taemin; Quynn Tetreault will perform a Contemporary solo to Billy Joel’s ‘Vienna’.
The teamwork of the 16 hard-working teens of GISS Dance is evident in the full-group piece choreographed by teacher Sonia Langer to the song “Cosmic Rain” by Illogical Post which highlights shapes, formations, and a group flow. Also by Langer, “Do It Like This” by Daphne Willis, features quick and energetic movements from the Jazz repertoire, and is a lively and moving piece of choreography. Each student choreographer is working hard to prepare their work for the stage in small group, duo and solo pieces.
On Friday, June 5, the GISS Dance program presents “A Community Dance Performance!” We’ve invited our dance friends to climb up onto the stage with us! The show will include dance pieces from Jen Soo’s award-winning Salt Spring Island Ballet competitive dance program, as well as soloists from her Studio North Dance Academy in Campbell River. Also included will be Langer’s Children’s Dance program presenting Ballet, Jazz and Tap dance pieces with kids ages 6-10.
In the pieces from Langer’s children’s dance program, the children will demonstrate an increased vocabulary and confidence in dance and even a lively game of ‘Who Stole the Cookie from the Cookie Jar!!’ GISS Dance alumnus Amaru Seki, currently studying Dance at Simon Fraser University will also join us with a new solo piece entitled “Dawn.” The roster will include our favourite GISS dance pieces and a remounted piece from the GISPA dancers to Cellomano’s “Compassion.” The show will offer a variety of dance styles, emotional qualities and music styles. Please come to support Dance on Salt Spring!