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‘Ballet at the BCT’ to present new choreography from IU Ballet Department

WHAT: "Ballet at the BCT: The Choreography Project"
WHEN: April 18 and 19 at 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Buskirk-Chumley Theater
TICKETS: Free, no tickets required.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 11, 2012

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - As its final production of the season, the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music Ballet Department presents the annual "Ballet at the BCT: The Choreography Project" April 18-19 at 7:30 p.m. at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater in downtown Bloomington. Like many Jacobs School of Music events, the performances are free and open to the public.

Twenty student choreographers will present an array of new works, each with its own style and theme. Music used for the production is equally varied, at times representing a contemporary feel.

"It is thrilling to see so much new choreography from such talented ballet dancers," said Michael Vernon, chair of the department. "The level of creativity is extraordinary."

Junior Miriam-Rose Leduc is collaborating on the project with her sister, Julie, a violin performance major at Jacobs. "I'm choreographing to one of her original solo violin compositions, 'Totus Tuus' ('All Yours')," said Leduc. "She composed the piece as her prayer to God, so I decided to make my choreography a representation of my own spiritual walk. The piece incorporates many people from my life and how they have either pulled me toward or away from God. Because the piece is so unique and dear to us, Julie will be providing live accompaniment on her violin, and I will be one of the seven dancers."

Sophomore Michelle Meltzer is also both choreographing and dancing in the production this year. "It is interesting to be on both sides of the creative process," she said. "Mine is a jazz-style piece to Shelly Manne's 'Mallets.' Two couples dance in contrasting styles, each representing different feelings in the music."

As with major dance companies around the world, IU Ballet Theater uses a smaller venue for works that are more experimental and contemporary in nature, fostering a more personal and intimate experience.

"Ballet at the BCT: The Choreography Project" is a gateway event for the 2012 ArtsWeek Everywhere project. Learn more at www.artsweek.edu.

The IU Ballet Department provides the highest level of professional ballet training within an academic, intellectual and artistic university environment. The department trains dancers of a technical and artistic level who succeed as performers, choreographers, teachers and administrators. The faculty is composed of experienced ballet teachers, each with major professional company experience.