Alumni Dancing Professionally to Showcase Talents at ‘Spring into Dance’
03/20/2017

Southeast Missouri State University dance alumni will return to their alma mater to perform in The Conservatory of Theatre and Dance’s annual event, “Spring into Dance,” at 7:30 p.m. April 6-8 and 2 p.m. April 9 in the Donald C. Bedell Performance Hall at Southeast’s River Campus. Alumni performers and choreographers include 2013 graduates Kelcey Matheny, Thomas Proctor and Carrie Kesler, 2014 graduate Zak McMahon, 2015 graduate Amy Coyle and 2016 graduate Riley James.  The alumni will be performing work in several different styles including hip-hop/breakdancing, tap and contemporary. Hilary Peterson, coordinator of dance and assistant professor, said, “These dancers have used the skills they learned at the Holland School to begin and advance their career in dance.  Showcasing our talented alumni will demonstrate the type of success that students who study dance at the River Campus have waiting for them post-graduation.” The performance also will feature an original contemporary jazz dance work by Giordano Dance Chicago Artistic Assistant Cesar Salinas. His piece, titled 'Seh Boom Bleh,' is set to music by Bobby McFerrin and will open the concert.  It is a fun and energetic work that highlights the technical proficiency of the dancers.  Other works on the program include a ballet quintet to the popular tune, 'Blue Danube,' by faculty member Alyssa Alger; an ensemble tap piece by faculty member Michelle Contrino and a large group work, titled 'The Crossing,' by coordinator of dance, Hilary Peterson. Tickets Tickets may be purchased by contacting the River Campus Box Office, located in the Cultural Arts Center, 518 S. Fountain St., weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., by calling (573) 651-2265, or online at RiverCampus.org/spring-into-dance-2017.