Residency instructors also help prepare students for winter dance concert
Photos by Ralph Freso / Slideshow
Left leg forward, right leg behind and bend knees in lunge-like position. Bring left arm in front, swing right arm back.
Grand Canyon University dance students followed along as Lawrence Fung, a professional choreographer, movement artist, filmmaker and photographer, explained a new dance move.
The dance department recently completed its annual guest artist dance residency, a series of workshops led by professional artists that give students the chance to explore new techniques and receive mentorship.
“We are always looking for a diverse group of artists that are going to bring something additional to our program – different world experiences, different styles and techniques,” said Chair of Dance Bekki Price.
Fung, the first artist to visit GCU’s dance program this fall, loves to intertwine delicate and rough dance movements, teaching students how to find a balance between ballet and break dancing.
Students spent a week immersed in breaking and contemporary dance courses with Fung, who challenged them to adapt to new and unfamiliar moves.
“My experience teaching GCU dancers has been great,” said Fung, a founder of Kraken Still and Film company, which focuses on collaborating dancers, composers and artists of diverse backgrounds. “The dancers are really focused and have a lot of curiosity to learn. They are taking in the material very easily and are open to it.”
“Sometimes certain techniques take a bit of practice and time, but I always try to encourage students to focus on smaller steps instead of this one big choreography. It’s the small steps that climb the mountain.”
Each year, Price and the College of Arts and Media dance faculty create a diverse guest residency series with the intention to give students a chance to learn from various professionals who will bring a fresh perspective to the program.
While most students already have a preferred form of dance, stepping out of their comfort zone to try something new broadens their knowledge and diversifies their skill level.
“Bringing in a fresh eye in any way, shape or form is super beneficial to the development of our training,” said junior dance major Paige Heilig. “It helps me grow because I am getting someone’s perspective for their first time who doesn’t know me. They see me for what I can do and have feedback to offer.”
While Fung focused on visual aspects, Fabiana Poulis, an instructor at Ballet Arizona, zeroed in on the intricate body movements and thoughts that go into creating fine technique.
After a group of GCU dance graduates took classes with Poulis at Ballet Arizona and recommended her style of teaching to Price, Poulis hosted a week of beginner, intermediate and advanced ballet sessions on campus.
“I was impressed to see their (dance students') level of ballet because students tend to go more modern once they go to college,” Poulis said. “They were very in tune with what I was talking about, and it was refreshing to see that.”
As one of the oldest and most classical dance forms, Poulis carries a deep appreciation for original ballet. Rather than becoming modern and acrobatic, it is important to preserve ballet as is and embrace its picky technique, Poulis said. It is a learning process that never ends.
“When we get guest artists, it pushes you a little bit to not just feel comfortable with the routines that have already been given to you but shove something new in your face and see how you deal with it,” said junior dance major Julianne Pankau.
To complete the residency series, Key’Aira “Key” Lockett fused ballet, modern, jazz and even traditional African diasporic techniques. Lockett brings a variety of skills to the dance floor as a dance ensemble director and assistant professor of dance at the University of Houston.
GCU dance students spent long hours in contemporary and composition workshops with Lockett, learning how to combine dance moves they already know and some they are practicing for the first time.
“I hit them with a lot of tough combinations, and they embodied it so well in a way where there wasn’t a lot of questions around ‘how do you think I should do this?’” Lockett said. “They were really invested in figuring out for themselves what works for them individually.”
In addition to their professional dance roles, Fung and Lockett often choreograph new performances. While their reason for visiting the dance department was to host workshops and mentor students, their work also will be featured in the winter concert, “Worthy,” Dec. 6-8 at Ethington Theatre.
When it was time to plan themes for this year’s concerts, Price knew she wanted the focus to be on something students can relate to from their personal experiences in the dance world.
“We will hear a lot from our students how they come from toxic, competitive dance environments,” Price said. “Coming into our program they have the opportunity to grow as individuals and feel less like there is competition. They have a chance to explore why they are worthy.”
The concert will feature seven faculty pieces and two student pieces, all exploring different meanings of worthiness, especially through a Christian perspective.
By experimenting with different styles throughout the semester that Fung, Poulis and Lockett brought to campus, dance students got to explore various meanings of worthy and how it can be displayed in multiple ways on the stage.
“It enhances our experience at GCU to have those kinds of encounters with other professionals,” said Heilig. “We are blessed to have guests come because not everyone gets that experience.”
GCU staff writer Izabela Fogarasi can be reached at [email protected]
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IF YOU GO
What: Winter dance concert, "Worthy"
Where: Ethington Theatre
When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6-7 and 2 p.m. Dec. 8
Tickets: Available here
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Related content:
GCU News: Guest artists challenge GCU students to explore the diversity of dance
GCU News: GCU dancers take daring journey to final showcase
GCU News: Dance students dazzle on stage in final Student Spotlight
