Student Dance Company Tower Dancers Hosts Annual Spring Concert
HILLSDALE, Mich. — Tower Dancers, the resident student dance company at Hillsdale College, hosted its annual concert in Markel Auditorium April 22-24. This free performance featured 10 dances: two choreographed by guest artists, three by faculty, and five by students. Featured dance genres included modern, ballet, contemporary ballet, and jazz ensembles.
Student choreographers Alexandra Himebaugh, Olivia Rome, and Sophia Rome developed solos throughout the semester as part of a composition course.
“It has been really rewarding seeing all my work unfold,” said Sophia Rome (‘24). “This study has been in the back of my head for months, and I decided to expand my work for the show.”
Guest Artist Matt Farmer created a contemporary work for six dancers titled “Calmer Days and Better Nights.” The dance reflected on recovery from the stresses of the past two years and celebrated the promise of things to come. Guest Artist Wendi DuBois choreographed a contemporary ballet for five women set to music by the experimental composer and cellist Zoe Keating. DuBois created abstract balletic movements that served as counterpoint to Keating’s exploration of the many sounds the cello can make.
Faculty member Sean Hoskins created a modern work for seven dancers that featured innovative set design and projection work.
Holly Hobbs, director of dance and Tower Dancers, presented a new work, “Nina,” that celebrates the vibrant music of Nina Simone. Classic jazz dancing was set to Simone’s spirited standards: “Feeling Good,” “My Baby Just Cares for Me,” and excerpts from “Sinnerman.” Hobbs also presented “The Four Seasons” set to excerpts from Vivaldi’s music of the same name performed with live accompaniment by the Music Department as classical ballet united with the famous Baroque-era composition to celebrate the seasons.
View a photo of the concert here. For photos from previous performances, click here.
For a high-resolution copy of the Hillsdale College clocktower logo, click here.