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University of Kentucky Dance Ensemble to Perform 20th Anniversary Fall Concert

Media Contacts: * Amanda Nelson (859) 323-6363 * Emilee Coomes (859) 257-1754

University of Kentucky Dance Ensemble

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 16, 2006) − The University of Kentucky Dance Ensemble will perform its fall concert at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, and at 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19, in the Recital Hall of the UK Singletary Center for the Arts. Tickets are $12 for general admission, $10 for students and senior citizens, and $3 for children 12 and under.

The Dance Ensemble consists of over 25 students who will perform 12 dances ranging in styles from jazz to modern and tap at this season?s performance. The choreographers include many of the dance ensemble members; ensemble director Rayma K. Beal, who is associate professor in the kinesiology and health promotion department of the UK College of Education; and guest choreographer Gaspard Louis. Louis?s piece will be performed using a ?Palabolus? style of dance that involves distribution of weight and rapid and intense movements.

Louis comes to UK from Manhattan to add a new style to this year?s performance. His dance training includes modern, jazz, tap, ballet and Haitian and African dance. His professional experience has been with Herve Maxim, Haitian Dance Company, Shirley Mordine & Company in Chicago and AllNations Dance Company in New York City.

One piece in the concert, ?Take Back the Night,? was inspired by a UK event to stop violence against women, also called "Take Back the Night." Students not only dance and choreograph the majority of the performance, but also take part in the costume making, set design, and poster and program design. Each member takes on responsibilities beyond dancing to make dance ensemble performances a continued success.

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GASPARD LOUIS , was born in Haiti and received his B.F.A. in dance from Montclair State University . His dance training includes modern, jazz, tap, ballet, Haitian & African dance. He was a scholarship recipient with Gus Giordano in Chicago as well as with Nikolais/Louis Dance Lab in NY. He also studied with Alfred Galman, Smith & Shapiro and Sara & Patrik. His professional experience has been with Herve Maxi Haitian Dance Company, Shirley Mordine & Company in Chicago and AllNations Dance Company in NYC. Gaspard has appeared as a dancer in the New York Renaissance Festival and has choreographed and danced in the music video “Compas Z”. He also trained in kung-fu and tae kwon do. Gaspard is now a residential real estate broker in Manhattan . His area of specialty includes but is not limited to the West & East Village , Gramercy, and SoHo . Gaspard says “Many thanks to everyone who has been a positive force in my dance career and especially to my wife, Jodee.”