Source: Neil Dunn, 785-532-6870, neildunn@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Rosie Hoefling, 785-532-2535, media@k-state.edu

Monday, April 4, 2011

DANCE STUDENTS IN THE SPOTLIGHT AT UPCOMING FESTIVAL

MANHATTAN -- It's all about dancing.

Kansas State University dance students will perform at the American College Dance Festival Association's Central Region Conference, April 6-9.

The conference, at Wichita State University, features 450 student and faculty participants from local, regional and international colleges and universities in a variety of performance styles. The event also offers students the opportunity to take classes from several different instructors.

Neil Dunn, instructor of dance at K-State, and Anna Ukele, senior in theater and anthropology, Sabetha, will present modern dance choreography at the event. Dunn's piece "TISM" and Ukele's "Dyad" will feature several students from the K-State dance program.

"This is an amazing opportunity for our dance students to travel, perform, see other spectacular dancing and choreography from peers in the field, and to experience taking class with world-class professionals," Dunn said.

K-State's Dunn and Julie Pentz, associate professor of dance, will teach a class in traditional West African social dance and music at the conference. Pentz also will teach an instructional tap dance class, while Dunn will be a festival musician and play for dance master classes.

Tickets can be purchased by contacting the Wichita State University fine arts box office at 316-978-3233. For more information about the conference and performances contact Dunn at neildunn@k-state.edu.

Along with Ukele, K-State students performing in American College Dance Festival Association's conference include:

Jordan Roberts, sophomore in theater, Beloit; Krystall Ring, junior in psychology, Clay Center; Rachel Witham, master's student in counseling and student development, Hutchinson; Elahe' Bahadori, sophomore in journalism and mass communications, and Ching Her, junior in arts and sciences-open option, both from Kansas City, Kan.; Kennedy Connor, junior in life sciences, Liberal; Ellen Roberson, freshman in arts and sciences-open option, and Meredith Olds, freshman in theater, both from Manhattan; and Megan Robl, senior in secondary education, and Jessica Tonne, junior in family studies and human services, both from Salina.