Pacific Index

Pacific students showcase original dances at the upcoming Autumn Choreographers Concert

Pacific Dance Ensemble is gearing up for the annual Autumn Choreographers Concert, which will be performed on November 20 and 21 at 7:30 p.m. and November 22 at 2 p.m. This annual concert has been around for many years, with Pacific’s Director of Dance Professor, Jennifer Camp, directing the concert since 2003. 

The concert features original choreography by students, faculty, and professional guest artists, and has historically been a chance for students to hone their creativity and also showcase their senior capstones through choreographic pieces. 

One senior who will be presenting her capstone at the concert is Victoria Murry, a double major in dance and education with minors in arts administration and advocacy. She hopes to utilize her education at Pacific to one day teach others dance and eventually open up her own dance studio. Murry says her experience putting together her piece for the concert has allowed her to blend together her passions and develop a creative piece that touches on important things she has learned through her time here at Pacific. 

“Through my experience as a dancer and educator I have seen how I want an ideal dance classroom to be, which is why I chose the concept for my piece,” she says. “My piece will be telling a story; the piece starts with obvious favoritism from a teacher and unfairness of opportunities which then morphs into how we can all work together to create a positive environment celebrating differences and individuality.” Murry says she enjoys using the artistic form of dance to tell a story because, “choreographing and getting to figure out what conveys my ideas best feels like a puzzle to my brain.”

Professor Camp explains that this concert not only provides a setting for students and faculty to come watch their fellow Pacific community perform, but also can be a gateway for getting Pacific dancers other opportunities to further their careers in dance. “The creative process requires consistent dedication to gain the skills to create meaningful dance works. Often, these students’ works are selected and presented at the American College Dance Association National Conference,” Professor Camp explains. She also encourages everyone in the Pacific community to come out and support the concert. “Dance is a way of life, and everyone can be part of it in their own way, even as a supporter and patron of the art… it’s a way to celebrate and bring joy to the viewer, and maybe even help make the world a better place, one dance at a time.”

November 20 and 21 at 7:30 pm and November 22 at 2 pm, free.