In brief: Towers Dancers return for winter concert

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In brief: Towers Dancers return for winter concert
Tower Dancers perform in 2015

The Tower Dancers will present a diverse dance concert featuring ballet, contemporary, and liturgical dance this Sunday, Dec. 5 at 2 p.m. in Markel Auditorium.

“I think we offer such a variety in terms of styles of dances,” said Holly Hobbs, director of dance and the Tower Dancers. “We have very classical ballet, we have contemporary pieces, we have more modern dance pieces, we have the liturgical dance ensemble performing, which is new this year. So, we just offer such a variety of opportunities to experience dance.”

The dances were choreographed by several artists including Hobbs, Sean Hoskins, the newest dance faculty member, guest artists Molly Paberzs and Sherry Jerome, and senior Chloe Kersey.

Hobbs choreographed a work called “Bodystories” which seeks to juxtapose the strict expectations of body image in the ballet world with the graceful moves of the dance. She will also be presenting “No Words,” which is a contemporary celebration of the work of Georgia O’Keeffe.

“[Bodystories] is definitely a hard and challenging piece, and more emotional,” said freshman Laura Luke, who will be one of the dancers in the piece.

Hoskins not only choreographed a work for student dancers but will be performing his own dance solo work “iSelf.” The piece will investigate the intersection of dance and technology.

“It uses a technology called Isadora to trigger different images on a projection based on his movement as he is dancing,” Hobbs said.

Guest artists Molly Paberzs and Sherry Jerome also worked with students during the semester to choreograph dances.

The Liturgical Dance Ensemble will also be performing for the first time. The ensemble, which grew out of a course offered by Hobbs, explores dance done as an act of worship.

“It’s meant to be a way to have a spiritual connection,” said Hobbs. “I hope students will feel inspired and they’ll recognize the sense of praise and joy that the dancers bring to their movements.”

Luke sees dance as an important component of education and as an extension of the exercise and growth of the mind.

“It’s really interesting to take intense concentration and focus and channel it back into your body and to learn how to control your poise and your movement; in a similar way, we try to focus that into our minds,” Luke said.