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Karen A Gahagan
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Sixteen Salem State dance students along with dance faculty Meghan McLyman, James Morrow and Betsy Miller attended the New England Region American College Dance Association Conference at SUNY Potsdam from March 22 through March 26. The Salem State dancers were joined by 26 schools that participated in performances, workshops, and discussions. Leah Cox, Christopher K. Morgan, and Carlos Jones served as conference adjudicators who provided choreographic feedback.
The Salem State dance students performed "Neither Lost Nor Found", "Kiss List" and "Idée Fixe".
"Neither Lost Nor Found" was described by Morgan as a “collection of gorgeous humans who are the brown, black, white, yellow, pink haired world I want to live in.” Choreographed by Assistant Professor James Morrow and performed by the student ensemble, the work was “honest, endearing, and delicious” according to Jones.
Senior Kayleigh Cyr presented her choreography titled "Kiss List" performed by Sam Aucello, Angelina Benitez, Kelsey Blanchette, Tyla Tognarelli, and Cyr. The adjudicators appreciated the college student viewpoint presented in the work calling it “sophisticated, interesting and important.” Cox explained that, “the work is courageous in owning the act of kissing. Society puts blame on women, but Kiss List allows us to acknowledge it in a self-excepting way.”
"Idée Fixe" choreographed by senior Kelsey Blanchette was performed in the Conference’s Informal Concert and received a loud and resounding applause from the audience. The ensemble of ten dancers executed the movement flawlessly with commitment and passion that was felt through the theater.
The American College Dance Association’s primary focus is to support and promote the wealth of talent and creativity that is prominent throughout college and university dance departments. ACDA’s sponsorship of regional conferences and the national dance festival provides a venue for students and faculty to engage in three days of performances, workshops, panels, and master classes taught by instructors from around the region and country. The conferences also provide the unique opportunity for students and faculty to have their dance works adjudicated by a panel of nationally recognized dance professionals in an open and constructive forum.