Dance Ensemble Celebrates 75 Years of Modern Dance in Spring Concert

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 18, 2014) — The University of Kentucky Dance Ensemble spring concert will take place at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 26 and at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 27, in the Singletary Center for the Arts (SCFA). Tickets are $10 for students and $15 for the public (price includes SCFA fee) and can be purchased in person at the SCFA Ticket Office located in the main lobby of the Singletary Center or online by visiting http://finearts.uky.edu/singletary-center.

Dance Ensemble (DE) is a student organization that provides students the opportunity to explore different dance styles, improve technique, choreograph and perform. It was founded 75 years ago by Mary King Montgomery Kouns, a student and eventual employee of UK. Since the first concert in 1939, Dance Ensemble members have continued to choreograph many of their own dances and make their own costumes.

Dance Ensemble has launched the careers of many dancers and choreographers, however, many students join DE as an outlet for creative expression without any intention of pursuing a dance career. DE members come from many colleges within the university and backgrounds of skill and talents. For the first time in DE history, Chris Upchurch, DE vice president, incorporates his singing abilities into a dance.

“DE has impacted my life in so many ways in my five semesters as a member. I have never considered myself a dancer, but just really loved to do it and share that love of dance with others," Upchurd said. "DE has given me a newfound confidence and ability to use my other talents. For example, this semester I will be singing live to a choreographed piece, and this is the first time something like this has been done.”

This year’s spring concert includes two guest choreographers and three DE alumni choreographers. Guest choreographers include Jeanne Mam-Luft, founder of MamLuft&Co. Dance in Cincinnati and Tamara Begley a middle school teacher and modern dance teacher at the Louisville Ballet School and Allegro Dance Theatre in Radcliff. Begley is also a co-producer of Moving Collective, an organization in Louisville, which promotes the work of local choreographers and presents original contemporary dance.

Alumni choreographers include former DE presidents, Elizabeth Foster and Jordan Seiter who collaborated on one dance and current director, Rayma Beal. Beal’s choreography was inspired by multitalented composer, David Gurwitz and by John Tuska, a longtime UK faculty member and artist. Beal said that Gurwitz’s song, “Coming Home,” enhances the dance concept well.

The Tuska pieces that inspired Beal preceded Tuska’s final "Illumine Study" which can be seen on the facade of the UK Fine Arts Building.

“I am inspired by the 'Illumine Study: Dance I' and 'Illumine Study:  Dance II' created by John Tuska that reflect the ‘history of the university as well as capture the future filled with new possibilities,’” Beal said.

UKDE concerts, scholarships and more are funded by student dues, ticket costs and donations. For additional information about UKDE or to donate please contact Rayma Beal, rayma.beal@uky.edu