WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., Dec. 5, 2017 — Students enrolled in West Liberty University dance classes will hoof-it for final grades as they perform at 9 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 6.
“Both modern and tap classes will perform in our Finals Showcase and the students are looking forward to it. We invite everyone to join us and see how talented and hard-working these students are,” said Jill Howard Warren, adjunct professor of dance.
A native of Bluefield, W.Va., Warren has taught at WLU since 2012 and also is a full-time dance teacher in the Ohio Valley. An alumnus, she earned an exercise physiology degree at WLU in 2009 and went on to earn a master’s in dance education from NYU.
“This is the first semester that we’ve done this type of finals show. I’m trying to pull in new aspects of dance, and focus on the performance experience with these finals.”
Recorded music will be used and the performance will take place in the dance studio, located in the basement of Krise Hall. Next fall the dance studio is expected to move into a new space in the Hall of Fine Arts.
“We’re looking forward to next year and to growing the program,” Warren added.
The showcase will last approximately 30 minutes and will include performances from students in both courses, as well as brief explanations of what the students have been working on during the semester.
Tap students will dance a selection from the hit musical “42nd Street” and also dance to the song, “Rise Up.”
Students in the Modern Dance class will perform to “This Bitter Earth.”
Since dance class is an elective that anyone can take, dancers come from a variety of majors — some are theatre majors, others are physical education majors. Students participating in the showcase include:
- Carly Balog, Follansbee, W.Va.
- Callie Carroll, Rochester, N.C.
- Elizabeth Conley, Martinsburg, W.Va.
- Emily Davis, Enon Valley, Pa.
- Rebekah Fryman, Butler, Pa.
- Meredith Garner, Bridgeport, W.Va.
- Albina Gilmieva, Moscow, Russia
- Chad Grubb, Cross Junction, Va.
- Sarah Lemley, Fairmont, W.Va
- Kristen O’Neil, Sistersville, W.Va.
- Hannah Phillips, Clarksburg, W.Va.
- Calandra Riggle, Wellsburg, W.Va.
- Alexandra Russo, Washington, Pa.
- Amanda Tamplen, Holly Springs, N.C.
- Dan White, New Manchester, W.Va.
- Isabella Yakicic, Sidman, Pa.
Part of the College of Arts and Communication at WLU, dance is just one of the many creative programs offered at WLU. To study for a career in media or creative arts, it offers state-of-the-art facilities and award-winning faculty that can provide the jump-start students need to begin a career. WLU graduates are professional broadcasters, sound engineers, digital artists, theatrical designers, journalists, graphic designers, art educators, music educators, and performers. It is the home of the MAD Fest, the Marching Hilltoppers, Extreme Art Night, The Hilltop Players, West Liberty Television (WLTV) and many more creative groups, ensembles, and organizations dedicated to excellence, education, active participation, public performance, and community engagement. For more information on the WLU Dance Program, please contact Howard at jhoward@westliberty.edu.