The UTM Dance Ensemble is busy putting the final touches on their annual Spring Concert Viva La Vida which they will perform March 9 and 10 in the Fine Arts Building’s Harriet Fulton Theater. This year’s concert features dances of many different genres and themes.

The dancers, in collaboration with Professor Leslie LeChance and her poetry students, will be interpreting original poems of UTM students, through a series of short vignettes interspersed throughout the larger dance works of the evening. One of the more involved pieces will feature a ballet pas de deux with a corps ensemble of six women dancing to the poem, “Dance Me to The End of Love” with a backdrop of projected and interwoven Matisse paintings to reinforce composer, Leonard Cohen’s words and music.

The UTM Dance Ensemble will demonstrate its technical versatility when they blend Spanish flamenco with Mexican folk dance in a funky, hip-hop/street dance, which will explore the theme of conformity vs. individuality and was conceptualized and choreographed collectively by the dance students. The program will be rounded out with a jazz-comedy duet danced by Victoria Shaw and Justin Paschall, a classic ballet variations for ballet soloist, Kelly Grider, and a surprise performance including audience participation.

The UTM Dance Ensemble will also play host this same week to guest artist, Mr. Ethan Pullman, who will be offering two Master Classes in Salsa, Meringue, and Cha-Cha. The classes are open to all students, staff, faculty, and community, ages 15 and older. Beginner through intermediate levels will be taught. Both classes will be held in the UC Ballroom.

Class schedule is: Sun., March 6, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Mon., March 7, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wear sneakers or comfortable shoes and get ready to have fun! Come alone or with a partner. Men and women are taught separately, then paired up, and rotated, so that everyone gets to practice the steps and patterns with many different partners.

The music is energetic and inspiring enough that you won’t want to stop dancing!

Tickets for the UTM Dance Ensemble Spring Concert can be reserved by calling 881-7400.

Tickets for Master Classes are $5.00 per class, and are available at the door a half hour before classes start. For more information about the salsa master classes, contact UTM Dance Ensemble Director, Professor Claudia Morris phone at 881-7335 or e-mail cmorris@utm.edu.