Dance Company Tour

From April 10 to April 13, 2013, the Emma Willard Dance Company went on tour to Boston. They arrived in Boston Wednesday evening in time for a very interesting improvisation class taught by Olivier Besson. Thursday morning, the EWS Dance Company was able to watch a Boston Ballet technique class and part of their company rehearsal, which was absolutely breathtaking. Later in the day, the EWS Dance Co performed at the Nashoba Brooks School, which was a lot of fun because they got to perform for a younger, very enthusiastic crowd of 4th graders. In the evening, they toured the St. Mark’s High School, which was beautiful and impressive. They also took an East Coast Swing dance class there. Friday morning, the EWS Dance Co took a Qigong class at the Dana Farber Cancer Clinic. Afterwards, they performed in the lobby. In the afternoon, the dance company met with other dancers in the dance program at the Cambridge School of Weston. It was fun to share ideas and thoughts about each other’s dance pieces. Friday night, the EWS Dance Company had the pleasure of going to the Cambridge Science Festival to see a performance about the human genome. Saturday morning, the EWS Dance Co performed at the Little Sisters of the Poor and got to socialize afterwards with the residents. The last class the Dance Co got to take was an Afro-Haitian class at the Dance Complex in Cambridge, was very tiring, but worth taking.

David Allan Miller gives Masterclass to Advanced String Ensemble

String Ensemble performs in Kiggins, as they are conducted through Nocturne by Mr. Miller

On Wednesday, David Alan Miller, conductor of the Albany Symphony, came to Emma to give a masterclass to the Advanced String Ensemble in front of the entire school during assembly block. The String Ensemble has been putting together “Nocturne” by William Hofeldt. They are in the process of perfecting it for their spring concert on April 26th. A masterclass allows a guest to offer suggestions and make improvements to a song, and Mr. Miller emphasized the importance of sound and tone to the String Ensemble members, while educating the general audience about how and what role a conductor plays in an orchestra. The String Ensemble greatly enjoyed the experience of working with him and having lunch afterwards. His expansive background in music and conducting made it an enlightening experience, especially for those who have a great appreciation for music. Thanks Mr. Miller!

Guest Artist Week

Every year, the Emma Willard Dance Company hosts a guest artist to teach a few dance classes at Emma Willard and to choreograph a piece for the dance company to perform. This year, the guest artist was Gesel Mason, an incredible dancer with a dance background of many different styles for example ballet, African dance, and contemporary. From February 12-15 and February 22-24, 2013, Gesel Mason created an incredible dance incorporating Emma Willard’s past and present in honor to the recent bicentennial launch on February 22, 2013. Look forward to seeing this excellent piece in May when the dance company performs!

Milonga

On December 8, 2012, the Emma Willard Dance Company hosted Milonga. The Milonga featured live music, performances by semi quavers, Adina on the piano, and dance company, and the primary purpose of the Milonga, tango dancing. Mr. Magee taught the basics of tango for 45 minutes before the Milonga, so even beginners got to join in on the festivities.

Pullman Car Hiawatha

Pullman Car Hiawatha, a play originally written by Thorton Wilder, was performed by Emma students on Friday and Saturday. Directed by Jessa Rowen, the play was original, acted out by a diverse cast with a range of experience and age. The play was praised highly, as one faculty member commented, “This play was the best fall play ever performed in my time.”

To see photos of the performance, click here.

Written by Sasha Weilbaker

Kate Shadlock Films!

Kate Shadlock in Come Life

Two of Kate’s films films will be shown on WMHT’s TV Film Festival this summer.  The first, “Come Life” (click link or picture to watch the show), in which Kate played the lead character, was shown on Sunday, June 24.

The second film, “Vanished”, along with an interview of Kate will be shown on Sunday July 8, 2012 at 10:30pm.  “Vanished” was directed and filmed by Kate as her final project in her Film and Video Class with Mr. Van Wormer. The subject of this film is an architecturally unique circa 1842 Loudonville, NY home. This property was acquired by the neighboring Catholic Parish, St. Pius X Church, from its aging owner and was demolished.  Kate believed in the significance of this property and, once understanding the irretrievable fate of the structure, became determined to have this home live on in as many ways as possible.  Tune into WMHT to see this moving film.

Dance Assembly

The Emma Willard Dance Assembly was on May 22, 2012. Beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels of Ballet and Contemporary classes along with Jazz performed. Each piece was beautifully performed along with an amazing crowd to cheer on the dancers. It was an amazing way to end the semester of hard work that the dancers and teachers put into the pieces. The dancers would like to thank the amazing choreographers, Mr. and Mrs. Magee and the great tech crew!

Senior Art Exibition

Wednesday, May 9th, the Senior Art Exhibition Reception was held in the Dietel Gallery. 27 seniors have art displayed in our professional gallery and will be on display for the remainder of the year. Be sure to stop by and check it the hard work and creativity of our senior class!

Dance Company Performance

On Friday, May 4, Dance Company held a performance featuring various pieces included the guest artist dance choreographed by Maureen Fleming, a three part piece to the music “Gershwin,” a “sleeper” piece choreographed by Kevin Magee, a dance to “Bad to the Bone,” a dance to “Amos Moses,” and finally, a dance to “I put a spell on you.” It was a full house and the dancers are grateful to the tech crew, Mr. and Mrs. Magee and Maureen Fleming, as well as the amazing audience that attended the performance.

Spring Recitals

Last Sunday concluded a series of five spring recitals for student musicians. Senior and junior recitals were performed by Lauren ’12, Kotoha ’12, Seojin ’13, and Hye Ri ’13. There was also an afternoon recital featuring performers from all classes. A host of different instruments, such as cello, violin, flute, piano, and voice, were represented in the spring recitals.