New England Dance Festival at UMaine Ends Feb. 28 with Day of Master Classes, Performances
Contact: Ann Ross, 581-4070, George Manlove, 581-3756
ORONO — The University of Maine School for Performing Arts Dance Division is welcoming at least 350 college student dancers, dance instructors and adjudicators to campus this week and Saturday for the American College Dance Festival Association’s New England Regional Conference.
The Feb. 26-28 conference includes three adjudicated concerts, feedback sessions, informal concerts, a faculty and guest artist concert Saturday evening, master classes, workshops, student and faculty receptions, and networking opportunities for students and faculty.
Interested reporters will have an opportunity to speak with dancers and conference coordinator Ann Ross at least 30 minutes prior to the am informal 1:30 p.m. dance concert Saturday at Minsky Recital Hall, Class of 1944 Hall.
Conference organizers say they would like this year’s conference to “honor those artists who manage to endure despite socioeconomic hardships, genocide, and political censorship.”
“Given the tough challenges we face globally today, we would like to ask that each of us thoughtfully regard the gift of dance, accept the responsibility to share wisely, and challenge ourselves to ‘Soar to Our Strengths’ as the theme for our conference,” says Ross, a member of the UMaine School of Performing Arts faculty and conference coordinator on behalf of the American College Dance Festival Association for the New England Region.
The ACDFA values diversity and the weekend’s conference will reflect a commitment to valuing various forms, styles, cultural traditions and aesthetic dimensions of dance.
The conference has been taking place at multiple venues across campus for performances and master classes. Adjudicated and faculty-guest artist concerts are scheduled in the 550-seat Hauck Auditorium. Informal concerts, lectures and workshops will take place in Minsky Hall. Master classes will occur in the studios of the School for Performing Arts in the Class of 1944 Hall and Lengyel Gymnasium, in addition to the new Student Recreation and Fitness Center, with two dance studios and several large gym floor spaces.
On Saturday, classes will be held 9-10:30 a.m., 2-3:30 p.m., 4-5:30 p.m., with an adjudication concert from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., a space informal concert, 9-11 a.m., and an informal concert at 1:30 p.m. at Minsky Recital Hall. A faculty and guest dance concert will be held Saturday at 8 p.m. at Hauck Auditorium. Admission is $6 for the general public and free for UMaine students with a MaineCard.