Fall Dance Concert | Nov. 2 – 4, 2017 7:30 p.m.;
Nov. 4, 2017 2:30 p.m. | White Recital Hall
In a city with abundant dance opportunities, the dance faculty at the Conservatory pride themselves on producing motivated and advanced students who perform throughout their student careers and are ready to join professional companies after graduation. Students have performed the Kansas City Ballet’s Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet and Firebird, the Nutcracker tour with Albany Berkshire Ballet, Setting the Stage with Friends of Alvin Ailey and with the Wylliams/Henry Contemporary Dance Company.
As an equal-emphasis program in ballet and modern dance, students’ experiences conform to the current repertoire of national companies.
Students are taught by an impressive faculty of professional dancers and choreographers including Paula Weber (principal ballerina Milwaukee Ballet and Albany Berkshire Ballet), Sabrina Madison-Cannon (Philadanco), DeeAnna Hiett (Alvin Ailey, Deeply Rooted), Gary Abbott (Deeply Rooted), Ronald Tice (Joffrey School) and David Justin (Birmingham Royal Ballet, San Francisco Ballet).
Paula Weber, chair of the dance division, says, “This will be a diverse array of dance styles showing the extraordinary talent of our dance students. All dance faculty members will present choreography. Faculty members DeeAnna Hiett, Ronald Tice and Gary Abbott have collaborated on an exciting new work based on Josephine Baker. Audience members have a chance to see a beautiful duet that our newest faculty member, David Justin, will be taking to Guatemala later in the academic year. Our students are working incredibly hard with all choreographers, rehearsing daily from 5 to 9 and on weekends to put this magnificent show together.”
Tickets for this night of thrilling choreography from our world-class faculty start at $8 general public, $6 seniors. UMKC faculty, staff and all students get FREE admission with their UMKC or student ID.
Crescendo: Dawn of a New Stage| Nov. 10, 2017
7 p.m. concert
Helzberg Hall | Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Our annual Crescendo concert and scholarship fundraiser is quickly becoming one of our most popular events, where our students and faculty showcase the breadth of talent and imagination that the Conservatory offers.
The fast-paced, 60-minute performance spotlights Conservatory students and faculty as they perform in an exciting prism concert throughout Helzberg Hall. The concert, whose repertoire is a well-kept secret until the night of the event, features dance, jazz, opera, voice, orchestra, wind band and more.
Proceeds from Crescendo directly benefit our Conservatory students, ensuring that the Conservatory can continue to attract and retain the artists, educators and leaders who make the Conservatory such an important part of Kansas City.
Diane Petrella, interim dean of the Conservatory of Music and Dance, says, “Crescendo provides a unique opportunity for the Conservatory to showcase many aspects of our programs in a fast-paced, hour-long performance. Nearly every student in the Conservatory is on stage — from dance and jazz, band and orchestra, soloists and small groups — as well as several new faculty members who are prominently featured each year. Come witness the unforgettable artistry and talent of the students and faculty of the Conservatory!”
Tickets to the concert, which begins at 7 p.m., cost $30 general public, or $15 for UMKC faculty, staff and all students with UMKC or student ID.
The gala portion of the evening begins with a patron reception and cocktail party at 5:30 p.m. in Brandmeyer Great Hall. After the concert, gala patrons enjoy a delicious dinner in beautiful Brandmeyer Great Hall.
Conservatory Choirs: A Season for Giving
Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m. | Visitation Catholic Church,
5141 Main, KCMO
The Conservatory Choirs, directed by Robert Bode and Charles Robinson, present an important community event benefiting the Harvesters Community Food Network. Now in its 15th year, the concert is free, but the choirs gladly accept non-perishable food items and monetary contributions to Harvesters.
This concert is a beautiful way to enjoy our choirs and to contemplate how we can all be of service to a greater good and a broader community. By donating money and/or non-perishable food to Harvesters, attendees not only support people in need, but also support the Conservatory’s wish to be of service and value to our community.
Small Ensembles | various dates, locations
Throughout each semester, several of our small ensembles perform all around the Kansas City community. These events are free and open to the public. Here is a short list of those happening in November and December, and more can be found on our website, conservatory.umkc.edu:
Nov. 1, 2017
Trombone Ensemble, directed by JoDee Davis
7:30 p.m. Grant Recital Hall
Nov. 6 and 13, 2017
Student Chamber Recitals
7:30 p.m. White Recital Hall
Nov. 7 and 15, 2017
UMKC Jazz After Hours
Nov. 7: 6 p.m. Black Dolphin (1813 Grand Blvd., KCMO)
Nov. 15: 6 p.m. Grand Street Café (4740 Grand Ave., KCMO)
Nov. 30, 2017
Musica Nova, directed by Zhou Long
7:30 p.m. White Recital Hall
Dec. 3, 2017
UMKC Conservatory Graduate Fellowship Woodwind Quintet
7:30 p.m. White Recital Hall
Dec. 5, 2017
Conservatory Chamber Orchestra, directed by Robert Olson
7:30 p.m. White Recital Hall
Dec. 7, 2017
UMKC Percussion Ensemble, directed by Nick Petrella and Christopher McLaurin
7:30 p.m. White Recital Hall
Tickets for all Conservatory performances: Central Ticket Office, 816-235-6222. conservatory.umkc.edu
–Jessica Riggins (photos by James Allison)
