North Dakota Ballet Company will introduce a whole new series of works it's calling "Soulful Motion" on Friday and Saturday, with modern, jazz, ballet, pointe and lyrical dance, as well as the music of Aretha Franklin, Gustav Mahler and others.
Kristi Brosz, Dani Blackowiak, Maren Ronnigen and Carly Schaub will be guest dancers. The company includes Emily Burkland, Rochelle Cariveau, Leigh Kaspari, Emilie Kopp, Krista Lill, Azure Moser, Alexa Ramjford, Christine Rucks, Charis Vogel and Jenny York.
"The Muse," choreographed by Theresa Knox and featuring music by guitarist Phil Keaggy, will use music to create a land of innocence and first love realized by using three dancers and a live musician, a news release said. Knox is an instructor of modern dance for North Dakota Ballet Company.
The second piece, titled "Visions from Darkness," will be based loosely on the Hans Christian Andersen story about the little match girl who freezes to death while trying to raise money for her family. With music by Bernie Thomas of Grand Forks, the choreography of Job Christenson explores themes of poverty, compassion, redemption, faith and forgiveness, a news release said.
Christenson also will bring two more original pieces with the soulful music of contemporary rhythm and blues legend Aretha Franklin and the beautifully intricate music of Gustav Mahler. Christenson is assistant artistic director for North Dakota Ballet Company and instructor for jazz, tap and ballroom dance and introduction to dance.
