The UTM Dance Ensemble held this semester’s dance show, “Individuality”, Thursday, April 5 and Friday, April 6.
In this show, there were eight dances, as well as testimonies from select dancers as to why they enjoy their art.
Hector Ramirez, a senior music major with a minor in dance said, “What I love about dance is the fact that I can express what I’m feeling with my body. Dance brings a new level of artistry that music alone, for me, doesn’t bring.”
Along with testimonies from the students, the director of the ensemble, Sarah McCormick, also told the story of watching her mother at a young age. She revealed how it inspired her to go into dancing and how it continues to fuel her love for the art.
While McCormick choreographed some of the dances, there were also a lot of student choreographers that completely stole the show.
The most mesmerizing performance, “The Outsider”, was choreographed and performed by Alyssa Salazar. The performance, set to the song “Heathens” by Twenty-One Pilots, was absolutely breathtaking in every aspect from the presentation right down to the individual movements.
Throughout the show, each performer showed their ability to mold into the stories they were telling with their bodies and facial expressions. This talent is very apparent in the director as she performed a piece called “Being Left Behind” to the song “No Expectations” by The Rolling Stones, when she brought the song to life through her body. The audience was not only able to see the story, but also were able to feel the intensity McCormick brought to the stage. It was admittedly an odd dance, but nonetheless captivating.
While there were some timing issues and some problems with performers syncing together and moving as one, there were many more enchanting moments that definitely kept the audience on the edges of their seats.
The majority of the show was calm and ballet style, but ended on a very fun hip-hop piece that was obviously fun for the performers which in turn, made it even better for the viewers.
Fluid movements and a seemingly deep connection between dancers made the entire show one in a million. The performers showed a love for their art and their fellow performers, the bond they all shared was nothing less than astonishing.
