As lights began to brighten, a circle of bodies appeared on the stage, all connected, all intertwined. Legs were held in the air while others were spread across the ground until, with a shift in the music, the bodies moved.
One at a time, dancers broke out of the routine, spinning, leaping, flipping, as their fluid movements pulled them across the stage.
Utah Regional Ballet performed the work of six competition-finalist choreographers in the 5th annual Choreography Dance Project at UVU Jan. 26, 27 and 28.
Choreographers were given the chance to win a scholarship award of $1000 “to further their education and expand their careers and experience in choreography,” said Jacqueline Colledge, artistic director of URB.
The different pieces filled the night with a variety of ballet styles from classical ballet to modern ballet and even some contemporary pieces.
“It has a little bit of everything to offer,” Colledge said. “It’s very different; there’s bound to be something everyone will love.”
“Life: written” choreographed by Shayla Bott is one of these unique dances. The dance featured seven dancers acting out a story not to music but to spoken words. The story took the audience from childhood through adolescence to adulthood and into mature adulthood all the while URB dancers acted out happiness and heartbreak, joy and loss.
Another piece, “Pickles and Milk” by Terry Davis, told its story by using one white balloon that the dancers continually handed off to each other throughout the dance.
“It’s not what I expected. It’s a lot more modern; it is all very different,” said Arrianne Noland, freshman at UVU.
Many people attended the performance to support family or friends and some went to simply experience the dance.
“I like to see the different style of dances and how well they [URB] portray them,” said Lexie Billings, who came to support her sister.
At the end of the three day competition, three judges determined the outcome of the competition based off of the creativity, the creative process, the structure of the work and the characteristics of good choreography, according to Colledge.
Results can be found at www.uvureview.com/2012/01/30/scholarships-awarded-through-dance-competition/
Monday, January 30, 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Expression Through Music at UVU
Music creates a unique experience for everyone, playing on the listener’s emotions and experiences, pulling out hidden dreams and ideas from the recesses of the mind. Whether it is used to simply relax or while studying, music becomes a central part of life.
Utah Valley University’s music department shapes an experience for students to share their love of music with a variety of instruments through the Percussion Ensemble.
Students get the opportunity to learn to play different instruments from an electric guitar to a police whistle. The ensemble mixes a variety of vibraphones, wood blocks, marimbas, and other instruments that help develop culture in the students as well as provide entertaining and unpredictable music, according to Dr. Doug Smith, UVU’s new Percussion Ensemble director.
“The ensemble has played over 100 different instruments just this last semester,” said Nate Anderson, UVU senior.
Smith works to give his students the experience to do what they love, playing their music.
“It makes it an exciting group to be a part of, playing all of the different styles and genres. It’s exciting for the audience, too, hearing all of the different types of instruments in one concert,” Smith said.
The Percussion Ensemble is a place where students create music. They create these unique experiences for everyone to be a part of.
The ensemble is “very expressive,” according to Anderson. “There are lots of instruments, lots of styles, lots of opportunities. It’s a pretty diverse experience in expressing yourself.”
In the upcoming Saint Patrick’s Day concert on March 19, pieces will feature fast-paced, non-stop movement described by Smith as a roller-coaster as well as music that will immediately put listeners in a good mood.
Some of the pieces are unpredictable while others are “exotic [and have a] sexy, sort of tango feel,” Smith said.
The Percussion Ensemble performs in a way where each musician is continually playing and actively participating in making the music.
“You get to play all the time. The parts are more active and you play instruments that you can’t in other [musical ensembles],” Smith said.
Percussion is a different way of experiencing music. It is a combination of listening and seeing.
Percussion music is not just hearing the notes but visually seeing how the music is made and what goes into the sound, according to Smith.
Music can lead people on a journey wherever they need to go. The Percussion Ensemble hopes to lead that journey, not just for one piece of music, but for the whole concert.
“Human beings are music makers. Music’s uplifting, inspiring and educational. What better way to experience it while we play the oldest instruments next to the voice?” Anderson said. “Percussion has been contributing to culture all through history and it will continue to do so.”
Utah Valley University’s music department shapes an experience for students to share their love of music with a variety of instruments through the Percussion Ensemble.
Students get the opportunity to learn to play different instruments from an electric guitar to a police whistle. The ensemble mixes a variety of vibraphones, wood blocks, marimbas, and other instruments that help develop culture in the students as well as provide entertaining and unpredictable music, according to Dr. Doug Smith, UVU’s new Percussion Ensemble director.
“The ensemble has played over 100 different instruments just this last semester,” said Nate Anderson, UVU senior.
Smith works to give his students the experience to do what they love, playing their music.
“It makes it an exciting group to be a part of, playing all of the different styles and genres. It’s exciting for the audience, too, hearing all of the different types of instruments in one concert,” Smith said.
The Percussion Ensemble is a place where students create music. They create these unique experiences for everyone to be a part of.
The ensemble is “very expressive,” according to Anderson. “There are lots of instruments, lots of styles, lots of opportunities. It’s a pretty diverse experience in expressing yourself.”
In the upcoming Saint Patrick’s Day concert on March 19, pieces will feature fast-paced, non-stop movement described by Smith as a roller-coaster as well as music that will immediately put listeners in a good mood.
Some of the pieces are unpredictable while others are “exotic [and have a] sexy, sort of tango feel,” Smith said.
The Percussion Ensemble performs in a way where each musician is continually playing and actively participating in making the music.
“You get to play all the time. The parts are more active and you play instruments that you can’t in other [musical ensembles],” Smith said.
Percussion is a different way of experiencing music. It is a combination of listening and seeing.
Percussion music is not just hearing the notes but visually seeing how the music is made and what goes into the sound, according to Smith.
Music can lead people on a journey wherever they need to go. The Percussion Ensemble hopes to lead that journey, not just for one piece of music, but for the whole concert.
“Human beings are music makers. Music’s uplifting, inspiring and educational. What better way to experience it while we play the oldest instruments next to the voice?” Anderson said. “Percussion has been contributing to culture all through history and it will continue to do so.”
Monday, January 16, 2012
Break Me Out
Wow, school takes up so much time! After having been in school for one day my planner already overflowed with things I needed to do. Maybe I need a bigger "To Do List" planner? Between trying to shop for textbooks that will wipe out my bank account and actually finding time to do all of the readings, get to know you assignments, and preparing for quizzes (who has quizzes on the second day of class anyway? We haven't learned anything yet!)there is practically no time to just sit and enjoy being back in school.
It's a good thing that today is Martin Luther King Day....Thank you Mr. King! I needed a break. Or at least time to catch up on everything. I know, I'm trying to "catch up" already. This is the first break of the new semester so it better not get wasted. I've been thinking about some ideas of what to do over this break so that it doesn't just drift off into a day of watching TV and reading all of the other fun things people are doing on Facebook.
In case these ideas don't work for today, the next break is on February 20, that's President's Day. I'm glad they are helping us out too ;)
1. Go hiking up to Bridal Veil Falls.
I did this on Saturday, which was definitely warmer than it is today. Man, our weather is so crazy lately. My guess is that by the time we hit June a freak snowstorm will hit us and last until September and then we will jump back into fall. Let's hope I'm wrong...I love the snow, but we kind of need summer.
Anyway, the Provo Canyon trail is pretty nice and dry, but once you cross the threshold over into Bridal Veil the ground is completely frozen, so if you do this make sure to wear good shoes. At some points the snow on the ground is actually pure ice so you have to slip and slide to get across it. A lot of people were up ice climbing the falls too so if you are in to that kind of thing. It looked sketchy to me though because the river and big parts of the falls are still rushing.
2. Go to Trafalga
This is even better if you have a Pass of all Passes. The Orem one is fun, they have outdoor and indoor mini golf, arcade games (which lamely aren't included in with the pass), 4D movies, batting cages, and the best of all.... go karts! The Lehi one I like better. There is way more to do up there. They have indoor rock climbing, laser tag, indoor and outdoor mini golf, a "Rocket" type of roller-coaster. It's like the mini one they have at Lagoon. They have arcade games, which also aren't included with the POAP, but their games are way more fun than Orem's. They also have an outdoor roller-coaster and bumper boats to get you soaking wet, but those are only open during the summer.
3. Go Sky Diving
Looking for an adrenaline rush this break?? Sky Diving is definitely the thing to do. Just make sure to go on a warmer day...so today may not be the best but if the weather keeps going the way it has been then by President's Day it might be the perfect time. Sky Diving is sketchy... yeah I know that, but there isn't anything like it.
I went with Sky Dive Utah and was very impressed. It's up in Tooele: www.skydiveutah.com It only cost us about $240 to tandem jump AND get photos. They have different prices based off of how many people you have, if you want pictures, videos, etc. It was the craziest experience in my life!
Going up in the plane was so much fun... I wasn't worried at all! Haha, okay, maybe a little bit, but nothing like what I expected. Mostly I remember just thinking, "Dang...I'm hungry." After having watched close to 30 other people fly up and come floating back down, my whole group was ready to just get strapped up and jump. It really wasn't that bad flying up in the plane.
The crazy thing was just feeling like you couldn't breathe the entire way down because so much air and pressure is hitting you, but it doesn't feel like you are falling at all. Just floating. Getting to see the world from that angle was the best experience of my life.
4. Tye-Dye T-shirts
If Sky Diving isn't really your thing and you hate being outside when it's cold then this is something you could do while being inside. Tye-Dyeing is one of the most fun activities to do when you're bored, especially if you have someone else to do it with. It's messy, it's fun, AND you get a new shirt out of it. :)< What could be better?
5. Murder Mystery Party
You better watch out because you are now the suspect in a disastrous murder! Don't look away, it's you that is in trouble. This takes a little bit more preparation than just getting up and doing it. You've got to invite people, set up the scene, have time to get costumes, and then all come together for a few hours to solve a murder! You may think acting as someone else is nerdy and that this couldn't be that fun, but trust me, if you get the right people then it can be awesome! And I am NOT a drama person saying that. The other cool thing with murder mystery games is that once you've played one you can't really play it again because you already know who the murderer is and so you can just trade the game with someone else and get a new game to play for free. It's the game that just keeps on giving ;)
6. Life-Size Board Games
We actually did this for FHE last week. Out of crate paper, tape, and card board boxes you can make a life size Monopoly game with huge die, houses & hotels, everything. If you have the electronic Monopoly then it's easier to keep track of your money, but normal Monopoly money can work too.
You could make life-size Clue, or Settlers of Catan. It really could work with any of your favorite board games.
Those are just some ideas that are kind of unique that I've done recently and absolutely loved. You could also play:
- Paint Twister (Paint spots instead of a Twister board)
- Go swimming somewhere: It's actually really fun to swim when the air is cold outside
- Go star gazing
- See a hypnotist show, or be hypnotized yourself
- If we could get any snow in Utah you could go skiing or boarding.
- Rock Climbing at the Quarry
- See a movie: but really, how lame is that to do on your day off?
- Make a movie
- Got to the Hot Pots
- Go tubing at Soldier Hollow: If you've never been tubing, you better go do this right now!
No matter what it is you decide to do, don't waste your break. We all know that school is going to get hectic no matter whether you are in high school, at a University or just working right now. Make the most of your break!!
It's a good thing that today is Martin Luther King Day....Thank you Mr. King! I needed a break. Or at least time to catch up on everything. I know, I'm trying to "catch up" already. This is the first break of the new semester so it better not get wasted. I've been thinking about some ideas of what to do over this break so that it doesn't just drift off into a day of watching TV and reading all of the other fun things people are doing on Facebook.
In case these ideas don't work for today, the next break is on February 20, that's President's Day. I'm glad they are helping us out too ;)
1. Go hiking up to Bridal Veil Falls.
I did this on Saturday, which was definitely warmer than it is today. Man, our weather is so crazy lately. My guess is that by the time we hit June a freak snowstorm will hit us and last until September and then we will jump back into fall. Let's hope I'm wrong...I love the snow, but we kind of need summer.
Anyway, the Provo Canyon trail is pretty nice and dry, but once you cross the threshold over into Bridal Veil the ground is completely frozen, so if you do this make sure to wear good shoes. At some points the snow on the ground is actually pure ice so you have to slip and slide to get across it. A lot of people were up ice climbing the falls too so if you are in to that kind of thing. It looked sketchy to me though because the river and big parts of the falls are still rushing.
2. Go to Trafalga
This is even better if you have a Pass of all Passes. The Orem one is fun, they have outdoor and indoor mini golf, arcade games (which lamely aren't included in with the pass), 4D movies, batting cages, and the best of all.... go karts! The Lehi one I like better. There is way more to do up there. They have indoor rock climbing, laser tag, indoor and outdoor mini golf, a "Rocket" type of roller-coaster. It's like the mini one they have at Lagoon. They have arcade games, which also aren't included with the POAP, but their games are way more fun than Orem's. They also have an outdoor roller-coaster and bumper boats to get you soaking wet, but those are only open during the summer.
3. Go Sky Diving
Looking for an adrenaline rush this break?? Sky Diving is definitely the thing to do. Just make sure to go on a warmer day...so today may not be the best but if the weather keeps going the way it has been then by President's Day it might be the perfect time. Sky Diving is sketchy... yeah I know that, but there isn't anything like it.
I went with Sky Dive Utah and was very impressed. It's up in Tooele: www.skydiveutah.com It only cost us about $240 to tandem jump AND get photos. They have different prices based off of how many people you have, if you want pictures, videos, etc. It was the craziest experience in my life!
Going up in the plane was so much fun... I wasn't worried at all! Haha, okay, maybe a little bit, but nothing like what I expected. Mostly I remember just thinking, "Dang...I'm hungry." After having watched close to 30 other people fly up and come floating back down, my whole group was ready to just get strapped up and jump. It really wasn't that bad flying up in the plane.
The crazy thing was just feeling like you couldn't breathe the entire way down because so much air and pressure is hitting you, but it doesn't feel like you are falling at all. Just floating. Getting to see the world from that angle was the best experience of my life.
4. Tye-Dye T-shirts
If Sky Diving isn't really your thing and you hate being outside when it's cold then this is something you could do while being inside. Tye-Dyeing is one of the most fun activities to do when you're bored, especially if you have someone else to do it with. It's messy, it's fun, AND you get a new shirt out of it. :)< What could be better?
5. Murder Mystery Party
You better watch out because you are now the suspect in a disastrous murder! Don't look away, it's you that is in trouble. This takes a little bit more preparation than just getting up and doing it. You've got to invite people, set up the scene, have time to get costumes, and then all come together for a few hours to solve a murder! You may think acting as someone else is nerdy and that this couldn't be that fun, but trust me, if you get the right people then it can be awesome! And I am NOT a drama person saying that. The other cool thing with murder mystery games is that once you've played one you can't really play it again because you already know who the murderer is and so you can just trade the game with someone else and get a new game to play for free. It's the game that just keeps on giving ;)
6. Life-Size Board Games
We actually did this for FHE last week. Out of crate paper, tape, and card board boxes you can make a life size Monopoly game with huge die, houses & hotels, everything. If you have the electronic Monopoly then it's easier to keep track of your money, but normal Monopoly money can work too.
You could make life-size Clue, or Settlers of Catan. It really could work with any of your favorite board games.
Those are just some ideas that are kind of unique that I've done recently and absolutely loved. You could also play:
- Paint Twister (Paint spots instead of a Twister board)
- Go swimming somewhere: It's actually really fun to swim when the air is cold outside
- Go star gazing
- See a hypnotist show, or be hypnotized yourself
- If we could get any snow in Utah you could go skiing or boarding.
- Rock Climbing at the Quarry
- See a movie: but really, how lame is that to do on your day off?
- Make a movie
- Got to the Hot Pots
- Go tubing at Soldier Hollow: If you've never been tubing, you better go do this right now!
No matter what it is you decide to do, don't waste your break. We all know that school is going to get hectic no matter whether you are in high school, at a University or just working right now. Make the most of your break!!
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