The Dance Ensemble Fall Concert Showcases Student Talent and Guest Choreographers

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 20, 2013) — The University of Kentucky Dance Ensemble fall concert will take place at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24, in the Singletary Center for the Arts (SCFA). Tickets are $9 for students or $13 for the public 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.

UKDE is a student organization, led by director Rayma Beal, that gives students the opportunity to explore different dance styles, improve technique, choreograph and perform. Members try out just after classes start in the fall and the spring. The fall 2013 concert features 19 student members and three guest choreographers.

Guest choreographers include Lydia Austin, an arts and physical education teacher at North Middletown Elementary in Bourbon County, Ky., Tamera Begley, a dance teacher at Western Middle School in Louisville, Ky. and Casey Monday, a former UKDE member and assistant professor at the College of Mount St. Joseph in Cincinnati. Monday is also completing her dissertation at UK on theoretical mathematics. She said her piece was inspired by the music and the life of the composer.

“For this piece, I chose a feeling which I based the movement from. The idea of being contemplative, uplifted and grounded, guided the development of many of the movement phrases," Monday said. "After I chose the music, I noticed the composer had not created anything new in quite some time. So, I decided to research more about the composer's background. His story was so somber and really shed a new light on the music. I felt that putting my movement on four of the dancers, then contrasting it with the fifth dancer would best tell his story. This juxtaposition of uplifted-ness and sadness creates a story all its own which is compelling to watch.” 

While UKDE’s main purpose is to provide a creative outlet for students interested in dance, many of its members, like guest choreographer Monday, are studying quite different subjects. Some members’ primary areas of study include architecture, psychology and marketing. Other members find that the organization does relate back to their major.

“I am interested in biology and bio-dynamics in my academic studies, but I also enjoy learning about dance. These interests often intersect as dance is all about movement of the human body,” said Rachelle McKinley, UKDE member and choreographer.

Ashton Howard, UKDE member and kinesiology major, found that her studies are more directly connected to her involvement with UKDE but also found that being involved in the organization enhances her overall academic experience.

“My kinesiology classes focus heavily on nutrition for athletes, general physical activity and biomechanics of human movement. Dancing allows me to connect these aforementioned aspects in actual practice,” said Ashton Howard, UKDE member and kinesiology major. “Dance Ensemble has been a really great fit for me, as it really focuses on creativity of movement and individual expression to allow all members to grow not only as dancers but as students.”

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