Dance Company Performs April 25, 27-28" 

SALISBURY, MD---Former Mark Morris Dance Group member Ruben Graciani, performs to a symphonic version of Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir” with the Salisbury State University Dance Company as they celebrate National Dance Week. Guest choreographers, resident faculty and company members join with this one-hour concert featuring six different works.

Performances are Wednesday, April 25; Friday, April 27 and Saturday, April 28, at 8 p.m. in Holloway Hall Auditorium.  

As a member of the Mark Morris Dance Group, one of the world’s preeminent modern dance companies, Graciani has performed at the Lincoln and Kennedy centers, toured internationally and danced with the London Royal Opera Company. He has danced leading roles in works by the world’s best. Graciani trained on scholarship at the North Carolina School of the Arts, he earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from SUNY at Purchase and studied with the Martha Graham Company, the Paul Taylor Dance Company and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. 

Graciani said his mission is to bring the performing arts to the Eastern Shore with his program, the Delaware Shore Projects for the Arts.

“Goodbye,” the outstanding student work of the Fall 2000 Dance Showcase, selected by a panel of outside dance professionals, is featured. Choreographed by senior elementary education major Melissa Jordan, it is set to the music of rock star Moby. Jordan is the first SSU dance minor to perform at the Walt Disney World as a character and parade/show dancer.

The energetic and rhythmically challenging choreography of guest artist Brach Morgan III in “It’s Those Rhythms” is set to the music of Baba Olantunji. Morgan was the founder and Artistic Director of the Dunbar Dance Ensemble and an original member of Eva Anderson’s Dance Theater. His list of regional, national and international credits includes stage, movies, television and print work.

Guest choreographer Theresa Emmons reconstructed “Fosse,” a suite of jazz dances in the style of Broadway legend, Bob Fosse. Emmons has danced professionally with the San Diego Ballet and Ballet South. She directs the Dover High School Dance Program, the Dover Ballet Theatre, with its affiliate school, the Dance Conservatory and is the associate director of the Youth American Grand Prix--America’s first international ballet and contemporary dance competition.  This performance will feature guest dancer Brett Emmons of the Dover Ballet Theatre.

Company member Kate Downes presents “Dante’s Prayer,” a lyrical ballet set to the music of Loreena McKennitt. A former member of the Delaware Regional Ballet Company, she recently presented her work at Delaware Governor Ruth Ann Minner’s inauguration. 

SSU Artistic Director Victoria Hutchinson explores the essence of 12th century plainsong with “Cantus.” Originally commissioned by Baltimore’s Dance Process Company, the choreography contrasts the intricate, rhythmic footwork and lyrical arms of India’s Kathak dance with the minimalist music of western composer Steve Reich. 

Tickets available at the door. Adults are $8, teens and seniors (62+) are $6 and SSU ID cardholders and children under 12 are free. Tickets are available at the door. 

For information contact call 410-548-4183 or visit the University's Web site at www.salisbury.edu.