News Release
March 2000

Moravian College dancers stage 25th annual concert

Student and professional choreographed works highlight the Moravian College (MC) Dancers 25th Annual Concert scheduled for Friday and Saturday, March 31 and April 1, at 8:00 p.m. in Foy Concert Hall. Moravian is celebrating this 25th anniversary of the spring dance with an exciting line-up of performances, from hiphop/techno and modern dance through tap, jazz, and ballet. Twenty Moravian College students and over 50 community, alumni, and professional dancers will perform in the only college concert in the Lehigh Valley that has mostly student choreography and has maintained the tradition of using guest artists from the Lehigh Valley.

The dance company has eight talented and experienced student choreographers this year including seniors Rebekah Worthington and Al Lowe, juniors Genevieve Lavo, Kourtney Parrella, Torine Pasek, and Aleda Rusnak, and sophomore Marion Perry.

Rebekah Worthington, president of the MC dancers, choreographed and will dance to Jim Croce’s "Time in a bottle." Al Lowe, who has worked with Michael Jackson, choreographed and will dance to "Expressional Communications" by Liberations by OUTkast. Award winning dancer Genevieve Lavo choreographed "Cornflake Girl" to Music by Tori Amos. Kourtney Parrella choreographed a dance number to Madonna’s "Vogue." Torine Pasek choreographed a routine to "If " by Janet Jackson’s "I Can’t Be Bothered Now," from Broadway’s Crazy for you was choreographed by Aleda Rusnak. Marion Perry choreographed Eiffel 65’s song "Heaven:" she will dance along with her 14-year-old brother Jameson Perry.

This year the Moravian College Dancers will perform several pieces by professional choreographers. They include Marius Petipa, "Pas de Trois" from the ballet La Bayadere; Patti Bosik, "You can leave your hat on"; and Lynne Jarrett, "The Max" with music by Prince. Jarett’s piece is dedicated to MC Dancer Christy Shoup, Class of 1996. Dawn Ketterman Benner, senior women’s administrator, and chair of the Physical Education Department, choreographed "Thanks for the Memories," which is dedicated to all of the alumni dancers over the years. This marks the last year Ketterman Benner will coordinate the concert.

Return guest artists include Coral Nolan Dance Company and the DanceGing Company, both performing pointe ballets. On Friday, Roger von Bing’s Broadway Rhythm Dance Company will be performing a piece from Ain’t Misbehain. On Saturday, the MC dancers will perform to "Montage" with music by Peter Jones. Kathie Kececi-Del Guercio, an alumnus (class of 1985) choreographed the dance routine.

Dawn Ketterman Benner, faculty director, and Lynne Jarrett, artistic director, express confidence in the success of this year’s program. Past performances have drawn standing-room-only crowds. Kristy Rashko agreed, "Everyone has been really dedicated in achieving an awesome concert for this, our 25th year." Technical Director for the concert is E. Blair Fintom, Music Facilities Director at Moravian College. Lighting will be provided by Paul Tardue.

The dance performance is open to the public and admission is free. Foy Concert Hall is located at Church and Main streets in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Moravian College is a private, coeducational, selective liberal arts college located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Tracing its founding to 1742, it is recognized as America's sixth-oldest college.