Tuesday, December 18, 2012
High Voltage - Holiday Celebration
Although I haven't seen any of their past holiday shows, I have seen several other performances of High Voltage (part of the El Dorado Musical Theatre organization). These young people are all-around entertainers, with professional standards, although no one in the group is over 20 years of age. I have no doubt that this will be another outstanding show. For more background, check my reviews in the Sacramento Choral Calendar at this link: www.sacchoralcalendar.com/Reviews.htm.
Monday, December 17, 2012
Let's Dance - Holiday Spectacular
I wish I could visit more performing arts events in our area, especially dance programs, including high school productions. Last night, I attended Woodcreek High School’s “Let’s Dance – Holiday Spectacular,” and it was indeed pretty spectacular, involving over 100 dance students (including 14 boys) in 30 dance numbers – most choreographed by students. It was a high-energy event with a lot of creativity and grace, and with some outstanding individual performances.
The highlight for me, though, was something completely unexpected. Four of the numbers were choreographed by Jacob Montoya who, I learned afterwards, is beginning to gain a professional reputation as a choreographer 10 years after graduating from Woodcreek High. Two of the dances he choreographed (“In This Shirt” and “Ave Maria”) had amazing power, complexity and creativity. It would have been worth attending just to see those two pieces, but there was much more to this show that made it enjoyable holiday fare.
There is one more thing worth noting. The success of this show rests on the professionalism of Lydia Ajay, the faculty member behind the dance program at Woodcreek High School. I bet that you, as I did, would find it fascinating to read her thoughts about the value of dance instruction in high school, and what it takes to make a program successful. She has put those thoughts into an article in the Oct-Nov-Dec 2012 issue of Perspectives, published by PlacerArts. Copies are available at art galleries and other locations throughout Placer County.
For more information about Woodcreek High School’s “Let’s Dance – Holiday Spectacular,” check their listing in the Placer Performance Calendar at this link: http://perfcal.com/orgs/WoodcreekHS.htm.
The highlight for me, though, was something completely unexpected. Four of the numbers were choreographed by Jacob Montoya who, I learned afterwards, is beginning to gain a professional reputation as a choreographer 10 years after graduating from Woodcreek High. Two of the dances he choreographed (“In This Shirt” and “Ave Maria”) had amazing power, complexity and creativity. It would have been worth attending just to see those two pieces, but there was much more to this show that made it enjoyable holiday fare.
There is one more thing worth noting. The success of this show rests on the professionalism of Lydia Ajay, the faculty member behind the dance program at Woodcreek High School. I bet that you, as I did, would find it fascinating to read her thoughts about the value of dance instruction in high school, and what it takes to make a program successful. She has put those thoughts into an article in the Oct-Nov-Dec 2012 issue of Perspectives, published by PlacerArts. Copies are available at art galleries and other locations throughout Placer County.
For more information about Woodcreek High School’s “Let’s Dance – Holiday Spectacular,” check their listing in the Placer Performance Calendar at this link: http://perfcal.com/orgs/WoodcreekHS.htm.
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