Alfredo Garcia
Lantern Staff
The Fine Arts department will host “DANCE: A Dance Concert” on Thursday, Nov. 29 beginning at 7:30 p.m. Drawing on a holiday theme, the show will feature special guests from local nursing homes performing “Jingle Bell Rock.” Excerpts from “The Nutcracker” and many other holiday favorites and recognizable songs will be performed. The Smorgaschords and The Noteables will also perform, which are directed by Valerie Lippoldt-Mack and Nick Engles. The advanced jazz class and the A Cappella vocal ensemble have collaborated to play “Winter Song,” which is directed by Matthew Udland.
“[It’s] a wonderful lyrical piece,” Mason said.
One hundred students will perform in the dance show, many which are vocal music, dance and theatre majors and some who are outside of the Fine Arts majors. During the first half of the semester, dance students are introduced to the style and discipline of dance. Once a solid foundation is set, students spend about eight or nine class periods working on the choreography for the shows. Dance students tend to spend class time learning, rehearsing and perfecting the dance for the performances they have.
Maddie Mason, who has taught at Butler for three years, teaches ballet, jazz, modern and hip hop classes.
“I have been very fortunate to learn from many master teachers,” Mason said.
Mason carries the wisdom from her past teachers and mentors and hopes to pass it on to her students. According to Mason, she is excited when a person who has no experience in dancing, signs up for a dance class to try something new.
“Dance is such a wonderful form of self-expression and self-reflection, and I strive to share that joy with everyone that steps foot inside the Butler dance studios,” Mason said.