Monday, March 29, at 8 p.m., the audience waited with anticipation and curiosity as the Department of Visual and Theater Arts presented the UTM Dance Ensemble. The theme for the ensemble was Uptown. Downtown. Out of Town. The program consisted of dances that varied in style, music, movement and mood.

The first piece was entitled Don Quixote: Kitri’s Variation and was performed by Erin Barger. The music was from Leon Minkus, and Marius Petipa choreographed the piece. Alix Miller Gausline staged this piece.

The second piece performed was Motown Metal. Several dancers from the ensemble were in this piece. The music was by Mchael Daugherty. The choreographer for this piece was Alix Miller Gausline. The dancers performed various dances that were at some times individualistic yet at others varying in sync. The changing of the lighting signaled the changes in the atmosphere and mood.

The third piece, entitled Sleeping Beauty: Aurora’s Third Act Variation, was performed by Kathryn Evans. The music was from Peter Ilyich Tchiakovsky and choreographed by Marius Petipa. Alix Miller Gausline staged this piece. The movement in this piece was very dramatic and intense.

The fourth piece was Urban Discomfort. The music was Sneakin Out the Hospital by the Beastie Boys. Erin Healan choreographed this piece. This dancing was very contemporary and full of fun. The performers were wearing black tank tops and blue jeans, which fit appropriately and added to the contemporary element.

After a brief intermission the piece Twilight Sleep was performed. Amy Hedstrom was the dancer for this performance. The music was La Creation du Monde by Darius Milhaud. The piece was choreographed by Alix Miller Gausline and funded by Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music.

The next piece was Repetition and Redemption. Amy Adams, Tori Shaw and Paige Thurman were the dancers. The music was Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celesta, movement 3, by Bela Bartok. Tatonia Dunlap was the choreographer for this piece.

Last by not least was New Orleans Triptych. The dancers were Audrey Chapman, Amy Hedstrom, Joseph Kendrick, May Mulcahy, Justin Paschall, Delina Scarborough, Tori Shaw, and Liz Thomason. Alix Miller Gausline choreographed the piece.

This was by far the crowd favorite. It was full of excitement, fun and laughter. There was repetition, uniqueness and dynamics all combined into one.

For further information about the Dance Ensemble, contact Alix Miller Gausline, in the UTM Department of Visual and Theatre Art.