Ballet Senior Concert — Spring 2023

Ballet Senior Concert 2023

Bossa Nova Baby

Choreography: Sarah Wissel

Music: “A Little Less Conversation” & “Bossa Nova Baby” by Elvis Presley

Lighting Design: Emily Bertelli

Costume Design: Sarah Wissel

Dancers: Mindy Lasko, Chelsea

Reusch, Ashlyn Staker, Amber

Walterscheid, Sarah Wissel

This is a fun, jazzy piece to some of my favorite Elvis songs. I hope this makes you want to dance!

Silkworm Choreography: Amrita Jade

Music: Großvater Paradoxon by Arpanet

Lighting Design: Emily Bertelli

Costume Design: Amrita Jade

Dancer: Amrita Jade

Approaching/ Arrival

Choreography: Natalie Montoya in collaboration with the dancers

Music: “Rowing” by Jóhann Jóhannsson, “San Miguel” by Jordan Seigel, “Tattoo Of A Panda” by Craig

Wedren, and “Topanga Canyon” by John Vincent III.

Lighting Design: Emily Bertelli

Costume Design: Natalie Montoya

Dancers: Nikki Ferry, Olivia Huseonica, Megan Lynch, and Natalie Montoya

Approaching/Arrival explores how we as human beings may interact with other people while working towards a similar goal. Will we choose to let ourselves be intimidated by others? Will we let the voice in our own head stop us from trying? Or will we find a better way?

Sleeping Beauty - 2nd Act Aurora

Variation

Choreography: Marius Petipa

Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Lighting Design: Emily Bertelli

Costume Design: Chris Larson

or Scout Sutton

Dancers: Scout Sutton

Sleeping Beauty was the first ballet I performed in with Ballet West after joining their academy when I was 9 years old and it has been my favorite ever since. I absolutely loved getting to be on stage with the professional dancers and seeing the production come to life. Since then I have performed pieces of Sleeping Beauty at Ballet West Academy’s Spring Show in high school, at a pageant where I was given the title of Miss Grantsville 2021, and most recently at Grantsville City’s yearly celebration to honor my hometown. I am so excited to be completing my time here at the U with a piece from the ballet that is so close to my heart!

Shade and a Song

Choreography: Olivia Huseonica Music: “Overture (Instrumental)” by Sleeping At Last Lighting Design: Emily Bertelli

Costume Design: Holly Kuyt

Dancers: Holly Kuyt

“Blessed are those who plant trees under whose shade they will never sit”

To those that have planted trees for me: I am immensely grateful for your continuous love and support. To those that will rest in the shade of my trees: it is an honor to contribute to your journey. May we all have the opportunity to dance in a forest.

Oblation to

Antinous

Choreography: Samuel Johnson

Music: Tomb by Richard Schrieber

Lighting Design: Emily Bertelli

Costume Design: Samuel Johnson

Dancers: Ruthie Dalby, Genevieve Boyle, Manami Kawai, Devin Hammond

Oblation to Antinous is an imagined ritualized spectacle dedicated to the deified Antinous of ancient Greece. Following Antinous’ mysterious death, the Cult of Antinous was formed, solidifying him into Greek myth as a powerful symbol of a heroic gay man. Ancient Greeks venerated, worshiped and prayed to Antinous, and my choreography is merely an expression of reverence to one of the world’s earliest

gay icons.

Goodbye is not forever

Choreography: Dakota King

Music: A compilation of music edited by Dakota King. “Down to the river to pray” By Allson Krauss, “My sweet lord”

By George Harrison, “Man in the mirror”

By Michael Jackson, “America”

By

Neil

Diamond, “Intro/Spectrum” By HÆLOS

Lighting Design: Emily Bertelli

Costume Design: Dakota King

Dancers: Genevieve Boyle, Emma Feddo, Dakota King, Jersey King, Natalie Montoya, Amber Walterscheid, Sarah Wissel

Goodbye is not forever is a tribute to and in remembrance of Matt Cieslak, Lessa Lloyd, John Clawson, and Alaina Burrows. Dakota lost these four loved ones unexpectedly this past year in a span of 6 months. This story based piece set in the present shares the unique personalities of Dakota’s loved ones from her perspective. This work gives a closer look into the mind and memory of Dakota. She will take you

back to these traumatic experiences, sharing with you her journey of joy, grief, recovery, and comfort.

Natalie Montoya will play Dakota’s Great Grandma, Alaina Burrows. Emma Feddo will play the role of Dakota’s Papa (Grandpa) John Clawson. Sara Wissel will represent Dakota’s former High School Dance Company Teacher, Miss Lloyd. Amber Walterscheid will play Dakota’s Uncle Matt Cieslak. Jersey King will represent Dakota, her mind, and her emotions. Finally, Genevieve Boyle will represent Life, death, and whatever higher power you might believe in.

Hold your loved ones close today and forever because they will be gone much too soon.

On My Love

Choreography: Olivia Huseonica

Music: “Yuri On ICE” by Taro

Umebayashu

Lighting Design: Emily Bertelli

Costume Design: Chris Larson

Dancer: Olivia Huseonica

This work is a visual reflection on

my journey in dance. I dedicate this performance to everyone who has been at my side on this adventure thus far. Your love means everything <3 “There’s a place you just can’t reach unless you have a dream too large to bear alone” -Yuri on Ice

Where Do We Go When the Show is Over?

Choreography: Luna Esmerode in collaboration with Daniel Cohen

Music: “New Start” by Martin Phipps

Lighting Design: Emily Bertelli

Costume Design: Chris Larson

Dancers: Luna Esmerode and Daniel Cohen

Nothing is certain. Wouldn’t it be better if we embrace the unknown? Special thanks to Daniel Cohen for being an amazing partner and friend. And thank you to my family, whose support I could not live without.

Romeo and Juliet

- Juliet’s Variation

Choreography: Kenneth MacMillan

Music: Sergei Prokofiev

Lighting Design: Emily Bertelli

Costume Design: Chris Larson

Dancer: Mindy Lasko

I loved this variation from the very first day I learned it in our pointe class. Thank you to all my teachers and mentors who have helped me achieve so much.

Don Quixote Grand Pas De

Deux

Restaging: Jay Kim

Music: Ludwig Minkus

Lighting Design: Emily Bertelli

Costume Design: Chris Larson

Dancers: Caleb Holt and Megan Lynch

This was the first classical pas de deux I performed at the U, and it felt fitting to have it be the last. Thank you to

everyone who has made my time here so special. Here’s to our next adventures in life.

GAGA Choreography: Amber Walterscheid Music: “Bad Romance”, “Poker Face”, “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga

Lighting Design: Emily Bertelli

Costume Design: Amber Walterscheid Dancers: Fiona Galvin, Olivia Huseonica, Ashlyn Staker, Scout Sutton, Amber Walterscheid, Sarah Wissel

This piece is paying homage to queen Gaga herself, and a tribute to dancing with some of my closest friends to some bomb-ass music. Thank you for rockin’ with me one last time :)

“Don’t ever let a soul in the world tell you that you can’t be exactly who you are”Lady Gaga

Thank you to everyone, and all our love! The Class of 2023

THE PEOPLE OF THE SCHOOL OF DANCE

FACULTY

Christopher Alloways-Ramsey – Assistant Professor, Ballet Recruitment Director

Melissa Bobick – Assistant Professor

Douglas Corbin – Professor (Lecturer), Musical Director

Daniel Clifton – Assistant Professor (Lecturer), Modern Dance Minor Advisor

Joselli Deans – Associate Professor

Natalie Desch – Assistant Professor, Modern Dance Recruitment Director

Pamela Geber Handman – Professor

Eric Handman – Associate Professor, Associate Director for Graduate Studies

Molly Heller – Assistant Professor

Satu Hummasti – Associate Professor, Associate Director for Undergraduate Studies

Jay Kim – Associate Professor, Associate Director for Faculty, IBSI Director

Kym McDaniel – Assistant Professor, Screendance Program Head

Christine McMillan – Assistant Professor (Lecturer), Ballet Program Head

Melonie Murray – Associate Professor, Director, School of Dance

Pablo Piantino – Assistant Professor, Assistant Director for Student Support

Sara Pickett – Associate Professor (Lecturer), Modern Dance Program Head

Ben Sandberg – Assistant Professor (Clinical), A/V Specialist

Brent Schneider – Professor

Maggie Wright Tesch – Professor (Lecturer), UBSI Director

Luc Vanier – Professor

ADJUNCT FACULTY

Rosie Banchero - Adjunct Assistant Professor

Lynne Larson - Adjunct Assistant Professor

Mary Ann Lee - Associate Professor (Lecturer)

Justine Sheedy-Kramer - Adjunct Assistant Professor

Jasmine Stack - Adjunct Assistant Professor

FACULTY EMERITI

Bené Arnold – Distinguished Professor Emerita, Distinguished Alumna

Ellen Bromberg – Distinguished Professor

Emerita

Jacqueline Clifford - Professor Emerita

Abby Fiat - Professor Emerita

Barbara Hamblin - Associate Professor Emerita, Distinguished Alumna

Phyllis Haskell - Professor Emerita,

Distinguished Alumna

Stephen Koester - Professor Emeritus

Sharee Lane - Associate Professor Emerita

Conrad Ludlow - Associate Professor Emeritus

Loabelle Mangelson - Clawson, Professor

Emerita

Shirley Ririe - Professor Emerita

Jon Scoville - Associate Professor Emeritus

Donna White - Professor Emerita

Joan Woodbury - Professor Emerita

MFA CANDIDATES

Constance Anderson – MFA Candidate

Kimberly Fulmer – MFA Candidate

Stephanie García – MFA Candidate

Roxanne Gray – MFA Candidate

Rebekah Guerra – MFA Candidate

Carly Herrmann – MFA Candidate

Irishia Hubbard – MFA Candidate

Joshua Mora – MFA Candidate

Thea Patterson – MFA Candidate

Tyler Schnese – MFA Candidate

Kellie St. Pierre – MFA Candidate

Samantha Stone – MFA Candidate

ADMINISTRATION

Melonie Murray - Director

Will Maguire - Administrative Officer

Nick Harding – Administrative Assistant

Tyler Kunz - Marketing & Design

COSTUME SHOP

Christopher Larson – Costume Shop Director

Madeleine Mann – Technician, Draper

Clover Kelly – Technician, First Hand

Makayla Cussen – Technician, Stitcher

ACCOMPANISTS

Amy Bach – Accompanist

Vilena Barekyan – Associate Instructor, Accompanist

Mark Chaney – Accompanist

Wayne Coons – Associate Instructor, Accompanist

Jordan Fajardo-Bird – Accompanist

Max Hall – Accompanist

David Herrmann – Accompanist

Tristan Moore – Accompanist

Brian Pappal – Accompanist

Tatsiana Rasmussen – Accompanist

Sarah Richards – Accompanist

John Rukavina – Accompanist

Stephen Valdean – Accompanist

Wachira Waigwa-Stone – Accompanist

Kimball Whitaker – Accompanist

PT/ATC

Trina Bellendir – Physical Therapist

Christopher Michaels – Athletic Trainer

PRODUCTION

Production Director – Emily Bertelli

Technical Director – William Peterson

Stage Manager – Rebecca Johnson, Susan Burnap

Stage Crew – Madeline Franz, Birdie Hadden, Zephan Holt, Olivia Huseonica, Megan Lynch

Livestream Director – Ben Sandberg

Videographers – Courtney Landry, Leo Lynn

The School of Dance acknowledges and thanks the following donors for their generous support during fiscal year July 1, 2021- June 30, 2022

INVESTORS $15,000+

Dick and Timmy Burton Foundation

The Huntsman Foundation

Jon and Karen Huntsman Sr.

Paul and Cheryl Huntsman

CONTRIBUTORS $2,500 - $14,999

Gordon and Connie Hanks

GAM Foundation Jazz SLC

The Brass Ring Foundation

Melinda Nordeng

Brandon and Christie Walker

BENEFACTORS $1,000 - $2,499

Anne Riffey

Andrea Lunsford

Jerome and Abby Fiat

Jean Sabatine

Ira Belcove and Elizabeth Marcus

Andrew and Allison De Camara

Martha and John Veranth

PATRONS $500 - $999

Luc Vanier and Elizabeth Johnson

Sean Carter

Brent Schneider and Kim Blackett

The Field Foundation

Anonymous

Thomas and Sidney Armstrong

Michael Lavine and Sybil Huskey

Jamie and Stephanie Schuette

FRIENDS $200 - $499

Edward Folts

Arkansas Community Foundation

CENGAGE Learning

Eastern Arts Society

Dianne Howe, PhD

Duncan Maio, JD and Kristen Westmoreland

Andrea Nelson

Wendy Colesano

Grant and Maria JoAnna Ahn

Mary Weaver

Kristin Liszkowski

Isabel Shimanski

Cafe Zupas

Leigh Selting and Marsha Knight

Janet Bowersox

Satu Hummasti

FANS up to $199

Eric and Pamela Handman

Robyn Connors

Grant Smith, PhD

State of Utah

Cortney Hurst

Ellen Bromberg

Rollie Wagstaff

Jacob and Catherine Nelson

Maureen McGill

Wendy Thompson

Armand Harris Jr.

Tatsumi Misaka* and

Jeanette Misaka, PhD

Andrew and Alice Sullivan

Julie Schwartz

David Thompson

Diana D. Taylor

Brian and Mary Haan

Thomas Welsh, PhD and Sue Carpenter

Robert and Leigh King

Gary and Kristine Kolbeck

Dance in the School of Dance is approached as a mature artistic pursuit that may deal with a broad spectrum of human conditions and issues in today’s society. As such, there may be subject matter, language, physical movement, and/or presentation of the human body in our performances that go beyond mere entertainment, and which may be seen as challenging for an audience member based upon one’s values, assumptions, and life experience.

The University of Utah Indigenous Land Acknowledgment

The University of Utah has both historical and contemporary relationships with Indigenous Peoples. Given that the Salt Lake Valley has always been a gathering place for Indigenous Peoples, we acknowledge that this land, which is named for the Ute Tribe, is the traditional and ancestral homelands of the Shoshone, Paiute, Goshute, and Ute Tribes and is a crossroad for Indigenous Peoples.

The University of Utah recognizes the enduring relationships between many Indigenous Peoples and their traditional homelands. We are grateful for the territory upon which we gather today; we respect Utah’s Indigenous Peoples, the original stewards of this land; and we value the sovereign relationships that exist between tribal governments, state governments, and the federal government. Today, approximately 60,000 American Indian and Alaska Native peoples live in Utah. As a state institution, the University of Utah is committed to serving Native communities throughout Utah in partnership with Native Nations and our Urban Indian communities through research, education, and community outreach activities.