Students, faculty to perform original choreography
On Dec. 7, PVCC’s Dance Program will present its annual concert of original works, choreographed and performed by students and faculty. This diverse performance reflects the multifaceted dance classes offered at PVCC.
Many of the dancers are also choreographers. Some have prestigious dance background, while others have little to none. “I think one of the really nice things about the PVCC dance concerts is that we accept all kinds. We accept many people from different backgrounds. You don’t have to have a luxurious dance history… You can literally come off the street and perform. And so it’s just a really nice opportunity for the students and for the community to perform in a beautiful space, which is very rare,” said Julia Vessey, a dance instructor at PVCC who will also dance in the concert.
“When I came here from New York City, there was really no place to go as a dancer. So when I heard about Anne and PVCC, and how they are so all-inclusive, we got together and developed the master dance class series,” said Vessey. “It doesn’t matter who is there to teach, a teacher from here or a teacher from New York, but it’s going to be open to the whole community. PVCC is a place for people who are interested in dance but haven’t been able to find a place.”
Holly Conway, Box Office manager and dancer, added, “You can do as much or as little as you want to here. You can be involved in the performance, you can help to set up lights and you can learn about production.”
The head of the dance program at PVCC, Anne Megibow, also spoke about the specific style of dance that will be showcased at the concert. “We have 11 pieces. I think I’m the only faculty member that is choreographing, but we have some of them dancing. I really think that one of the best things about the performances here is that they really reflect the diversity of the students. That’s really, for me, and I think for a lot of the teachers, one of the things that are most enjoyable about community colleges. One of the dancers is 70 and one is 15 or 16. There’s hip-hop, an improvisational piece, a traditional modern piece, and ballet piece. Everybody has a place here.”
“Over the years we’ve been able to bring in enough money through the dance club and student activities to bring in nationally known artists to do residencies here. So in the May performance there will be a performance done by an artist coming to do a residency,” Megibow said.
The performance will be held on the Main Stage of the V. Earl Dickinson Building. Tickets will be $10 for adults and $6 for students and seniors, and available at the Box Office. Student vouchers will not be valid for this performance. For more information please contact the PVCC Box Office at 434-961-5376 or email boxoffice@pvcc.edu.
