The UT Martin Dance Ensemble performed “Dancing Through Christmas” in the Harriet Fulton Theatre on Nov. 16 and 17, 2023.
The program contained two sections, one with popular Christmas music and dances and the other containing selections from Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker Suite,” arranged by Ian Deterling, as performed in conjunction with the UTM Saxophone Ensemble.
The dancers that performed are as follows: Maleia Bigham, Camille Dansby, Chloe Goff, Catey Henderson, Maggie McClendon, Kayla Mick, Morgan Stubblefield, Bryleigh Woodward, Anna Ruth Bailey, Madison Bixler, Alex Webber, Ellyn Beebe, Lisa Cleaves, Makena Fitts, Caroline Hunter, Hannah Newman, Sarah McCormick, Marlee Scott, D’Ambrah Watts, Beans Webber, Maliea Bigham, Abby Walker and Mage Wilke.
The first half of the program contained seven performances with a variety of dance styles showcased, including contemporary, jazz and ballet. The choreographers of this section are Bella Hancock with “Rockin Around the Christmas Tree,” Kayla Mick with “Mary, Did You Know,” Alex Webber with “Like Snow,” Anna Ruth Bailey with “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,” D’Ambrah Watts with “Inside Myself,” “Mr. Grinch” choreographed by Abby Walker and “The Gift” choreographed by Sarah McCormick, director of the Dance Ensemble.
The second half of the program was in collaboration with the UTM Saxophone Ensemble. The selections from Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker Suite” that were played included “Children’s March,” “Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy,” “Arabian Dance,” “Russian Dance” and “Waltz of the Flowers.”
The choreographers of this section of the program are director Sarah McCormick, Marlee Scott and Maleia Bigham. Scott choreographed and performed “Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy” solo. Bigham choreographed and performed “Arabian Dance,” also unaccompanied.
The UTM Saxophone Ensemble is under the direction of Dr. Douglas Owens. The ensemble was conducted by UTM Music Education major Daniel Capua.
The UTM Saxophone Ensemble includes Joshua White on soprano saxophone, Jason Hicks, Kelson Moore and Timothy Odle on alto saxophone, Douglas Owens on tenor saxophone, and Landen Dougherty and Hana Elwood on baritone saxophone.
When asked what it was like working with the UTM Saxophone Ensemble, McCormick said “The arts have always been about collaboration.” She expressed that it was a learning curve for both the dancers and the ensemble to work together, but it all came together nicely.
McCormick stated, “Live music is always so nice to have with dance. When [Doug] Owens approached me with the idea, I loved it.”
