Were individual credits not listed in the program for a particular presentation, how many spectators would want to know more about “A Vulnerable Moment,” “Creep,” “Migration of the Moon” and “The Last Breath?” Lorraine Spiegler, director of studio education at the CityDance Conservatory, hopes it will be everyone gathered in the hall of the Music Center at Strathmore this Saturday. It is there that the audience will be treated to these titled works through the talents of CityDance Conservatory students in an evening of dance based on the program’s theme, “Seeing with our Hearts.”
“When we think of the history of CityDance, we think about the premier modern dance company in the area,” said Spiegler, who has worked 25 years in the field as an educator, director and choreographer. “But when we think about the conservatory, we’re talking about contemporary dancers, choreographers, lighting designers and teachers providing [our students] with a broad education so they can understand what the world of dance is about.”
| Onstage |
| CityDance Conservatory Concert |
| Where: The Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda |
| When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday |
| Inf: $15, 301-581-5100, strathmore.org, citydance.net |
The CityDance Conservatory program places an emphasis on technique within a full and diverse curriculum that expands the students’ dance and musical knowledge, along with developing multicultural appreciation through international dance workshops and exchange programs.
“These are the future professionals that will graduate from the dance conservatory and go on to professional companies,” Spiegler continued. “My big emphasis is creating interesting choreography. It’s not about looking backwards but looking forwards.”
To that end Saturday evening’s performance will showcase the challenging contemporary, classical and fusion repertory from the conservatory’s recent season. Faculty choreographers such as Spiegler, along with international guest artist works by the likes of Loni Landon, Chelsea Cooper and Marie McNair will be featured; hence the names “Creep,” “The Last Breath” and so on. Twenty different dance pieces will be performed by 83 dancers, in solo, group and guest artist production.
“I hope that people will come and see the beauty and passion of these young dancers and find in our broad repertory for the evening something they can really enjoy, something they can really see with their hearts,” Spiegler said.
