YPAS presents the “Shift” dance concert
YPAS ballet dancers stand in first position before beginning the performance of “Winter.” Photo by Cesca Campisano.
February 18, 2020
This story was submitted by Christeen Florence (10, J&C). Photos by Cesca Campisano.
Starting on Feb. 19, YPAS Dance will be putting on their spring concert.
They will have matinee performances on Feb. 19 and 20 at 10 a.m. and evening shows at 7 p.m. on Feb. 21 and 22. They also have a show at 2 on Feb. 23.
The performance will be on the YPAS Mainstage, and tickets are $10-12 for the evening shows, and student matinees are $6.
The concert is called “Shift” which displays the different types of movement throughout the dancers.
“Every piece entails shifting of weight and shifting through space and shifting through people,” Ms. Lora Ruttan (Dance) said.
The show consists of many dances with a variety of different styles including ballet, modern, hip-hop, tap, jazz, bollywood and even a new aerial silks performance.
The dancers have been working all year on these pieces, working on a different dance each six weeks until they’re all ready and put together.
Most of the pieces are teacher-choreographed and are taught in the dance ensemble class that sophomores, juniors and seniors take.
While the show mainly consists of sophomores, juniors and seniors, there is a tap piece with some freshmen in it. The dance was student choreographed by Emerson Walker (12,YPAS) to “Sing Sing Sing”.
Kaitlyn Meiman (9, YPAS) is in the tap piece and has been able to experience the work that everyone puts in.
“YPAS comes with a lot of good commitment, and it’s not easy, but it’s worth it,” Meiman said.
The concert incorporates multiple other YPAS majors and is all student run. Design and Production runs the sound and lighting and makes the costumes.
“The Design and Production crew is a big help in the production of our dance concert. We really appreciate the Design and Production crew,” Dasia Finch (12, YPAS) said.
The aerial silks piece, “Darkside of the Moon,” also incorporates vocal and band majors.
“While the dancers are performing, some of the other majors will be performing their art as well,” Finch said.
You can buy tickets to see the concert here.
