Vaishali Patel
One of the oldest and most awarded dance companies in the nation visits Milledgeville from Denver, Colo., to conduct lectures, demonstrations, master classes and workshops for middle and high school students and Georgia College & State University dance minor program students. Three of the 13 members from the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble were present Thursday morning to teach a master class to 18 Baldwin High School dance students at the Allens Market Building at Allied Arts.
A third season CPRDE member, Cedric Hall, wanted the high school dance students to just have fun while keeping their minds open.
�They should just take it in the way they see it, be what�s in front of them and be able to self express to bring out their art.�
Bald-win High School senior Kirsten Powelski said she was surprised to see the high school dance groups routines were similar to that of the ensemble�s.
�It was great and very inspiring. Most of the steps they do in warm-up is what we actually do,� Powelski said.
Though high school senior Precious Lango may not have any type of dance training, she �was excited� to learn about the art.
�I�ve been looking forward to this all week. I just want to dance now, even though I don�t really have dance experience. This really was the highlight of my week.�
Elizabeth Gooch and Elizabeth Babb, senior dance students, appreciated their time and positive criticism.
Allied Arts Director Randy Cannon said since the company�s first visit in 2003, he hopes students and the general public will be inspired to work hard toward their dreams. Cannon is thankful to have the ensemble visit for three days.
�We want to show that dance is accessible to the average person. This group of young and vibrant dancers who have achieved what they�ve achieved really inspires students once they see [the ensemble�s] hard work and dedication. I thank [Cleo Robinson] for her work, not only in dance, but in other humanitarian work she has done. Dance has a strong influence for positive social change,� Cannon said. �They came and became part of the community for a little while. They ate at our restaurants, stayed at our hotels and just got a little taste of Milledgeville.�
Melissa Tyler, member of the CPRDE, is excited to allow Milledgeville-Baldwin County residents interested in art to experience the root of dance.
�A lot of times, we go to small towns to expose them to art since most of them aren�t really exposed,� she said. �We try to give the lesson of being confident within oneself.�
The CPRDE�s three-day residency in Milledgeville is sponsored by Allied Arts and Georgia College & State University�s Arts Unlimited Committee. The project has been designated by the NEA as an American Masterpieces project and is supported by the Southern Arts Federation and the Georgia Council for the Arts. American Masterpieces is a major initiative by the NEA to acquaint Americans with the best of their cultural and artistic legacy.
The company�s mission is to foster appreciation of and the development of new audiences for dance. Robinson attempts to educate audiences about the rich heritage and ancestral gifts on which this predominately African American ensemble draws through a year-round dance school, an international summer dance institute and through national and international performances.
Tyler said the cultural arts institution has broadened her knowledge of dance since she has become part of the ensemble in the last two seasons. She said dancers for the company have be able to adapt to all styles of dance.
�A lot of companies either do old or modern dance, but we�re in between both. We are more of a repertoire company where as other companies do more ballet,� she said. �We are very versatile because we have to know how to do ballet, tap, jazz, traditional and contemporary dance.�
The dance company�s stay will come to an end as they present a mini performance and lecture demonstration at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 29, and a main stage dance concert at 8 p.m. in Russell Auditorium on the campus of Georgia College. Admission to the morning performance is $5 and tickets for the evening concert is $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens and Georgia College students are admitted to both events free with their university ID.
For more information about the dance company, visit www.cleoparkerdance.org. For tickets to either performance, call Allied Arts at (478) 452-3950 or visit www.milledgevillealliedarts.com.
