By Danielle Bettendorf, Living & Arts Editor
Parsons Dance will perform at Susquehanna on Sept. 26 at 7:30 p.m. in Degenstein Theater.
Parsons Dance is the first performance this year in the Artist Series, which brings a variety of artists and programs to campus.
Keelie Schock, the Artist Series manager, said, “The Artist Series is committed to sponsoring internationally acclaimed artists and programs to provide an opportunity for the university family and the greater community to enhance their aesthetic appreciation of the diverse cultures and the artistic heritage of humankind.”
Schock also emphasized that selected artists not only perform while at Susquehanna, but also get involved in the local community.
“We strive to link the performances of the Artist Series in ways that advance intellectual engagement, often through master classes, lectures or con- tent of the artistic presentation,” Schock continued. “The season consists of a significant theatrical or dance performance, a significant musical performance and a performance that highlights a culture.”
Schock also highlighted the importance of bringing a variety of artists that audiences can engage with and appreciate.
“It is the [Artist Series] committee’s hope to provide the audience with the opportunity to see an engaging performance with high artistic integrity,” Schock added. “Parsons’ athleticism, energy and commitment to making their art accessible and enriching to a wide audience makes them unique. They have collaborated with iconic artists in a variety of other disciplines including fashion, photography and visual arts.”
In addition to a performance, Parsons Dance will also teach a master class with Susquehanna students.
Students in the master class emphasized the new skills they believed they could learn from working with the group.
Senior Rachel Keegan, president of Dance Corps, said, “In the master class we anticipate working on skills, possibly turns, leaps, as well as jumps.”
“I am hoping we will go across the floor with these skills and maybe use it towards a routine,” Keegan added. Junior Abbie Steinly, public relations for Dance Corps, said, “I’ve watched videos of the company on Youtube and they have a very unique style of dance. It’s definitely not like any kind of dance i’ve done before.”
Keegan and Steinly also noted the chance to work with a professional dance group.
“I have taken classes from freelance modern choreographers and professionals from ballet companies, but never a professional modern dance group,” Steinly said. “So I am excited to see what they have to offer and how they not only perform, but how they can teach a class to students.”
“I think we are all very excited because, during my time here at least, we haven’t had anyone, especially professionals, reach out to us and want to help us grow as dancers,” Steinly continued.
“In the past Parsons has been phenomenal with break- ing down steps and working on confidence levels of the dancers within the class, as working with professionals can be intimidating,” Keegan said.
“I really hope that myself and all of the other students are pulled out of their comfort zones during this class,” Steinly said. “I think it’s so important for us to branch out and try different styles of dance that we are unfamiliar with.”
“I believe that other students will get the experience of a professional studio class,” Keegan added. “I am hoping they will learn to understand the rigor it takes to be a dancer as well as the poise and discipline.”
According to its website, Parsons Dance was founded in 1985 in New York City by artistic director David Parsons and lighting designer Howell Binkley. The company works with modern dance and says its mission is to “deliver positive, affirming, life enriching experiences to audiences worldwide.” The company has toured internationally in more than 445 cities, 30 countries and 5 continents.
Outside of performance alone, Parsons Dance also involves itself with the community by hosting outreach programs. The group hosts post-show discussions, open rehearsals, studio showcases, open company classes and workshops for all ages.
The group also has both professional and newcomer choreographers work with the company: established artists can re-stage works and new choreographers are commissioned with the GenerationNOW Fellowship. For a year, amateur choreographers are mentored and able to join the company for the following season.
The other two artists scheduled to perform this year include female a cappella group Nobuntu and Grammy Award-winning Turtle Island Quartet with Irish fiddler and composer Liz Carroll.
