April 17, 2002

Dancers reach out to area schools

'Dance to the Music' program performed at Traverse Heights

By LISA PERKINS
Herald staff writer
       Students at Traverse Heights Elementary were treated to a special performance by the Traverse City Youth Ballet Company Friday afternoon.
      "Dance to the Music" features 37 dancers, between the ages of 10 and 19, dancing to pieces choreographed especially for the company. The ballet and jazz dance numbers were designed for school and community performances to share the art of dance. Dancers are chosen to participate with the company by audition.
      Jefferson Baum, artistic director, choreographed "Handle-Handel", a neo-classic ballet for the senior division dancers. Baum is director of dance at Grand Valley State University and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp and is on the staff at Steps in New York. He has been principal dancer with Milwaukee Ballet, Ballet de Monte Carlo, Pennsylvania Ballet, Santa Fe Opera and Metropolitan Opera Ballet.
      Sean France selected Bach's Brandenberg Concerto #5 for the dance he choreographed for the junior division dancers. France has studied at Houston Ballet Academy and San Francisco Ballet School. He has performed principal roles with Royal Swedish Ballet, The Norwegian Ballet, Ballet Nuevo Mundo of Caracas, Cleveland Ballet and the National Ballet of Venezuela. He is currently artist in residence at Grand Valley State University and director for the Holland Youth Ballet.
      Local artist Judy Harrison selected "Love Can Move Mountains" for all the dancers in the junior and senior divisions to perform an uplifting jazz dance number. Harrison holds a bachelor of science degree in dance from Indiana University and presently teaches jazz dance at The Dance Center and Interlochen Center for the Arts.
      Last year the Company performed for 1,800 students and adults during their spring outreach programs.
      The Company will perform on the following dates:
      - April 27, 1 p.m., Celebration of the Young Child at Horizon Books
      - May 8, 10 a.m., Immaculate Conception School
      - May 8, 1 p.m., Holy Angels School
      - May 8, 2:30 p.m., Sabin Elementary School
      - May 16, 3:10 p.m., Long Lake School