Gasps of awe could be heard in the audience as the curtain closed. The powerful example of worship had left many speechless. Although it was a rehearsed and choreographed piece, the group collectively showed their passion for Christ through their passion of dance.
The Samford Dance Company presented their annual dance concert, “Voices,” from Feb. 8-10. Dance Director Alisa McCool explained in her director’s note how someone can use their voice without uttering a word.
“Words are not the only way to express oneself,” McCool said. “Dance can help tell a story and convey emotions, thoughts and feelings in a way that is meaningful to the dancers as well as their audience.”
The company has been preparing for this show since last fall, collaborating with numerous choreographers around the Birmingham area to create meaningful numbers. Each choreographer came in with different expectations and ideas, showing their own voices through the process.
The performance featured dance styles from pointe ballet to hip-hop, ranging from instrumental to modern pop.
“Voices” also allowed the Samford Dance Company to collaborate with other areas of the arts, like the Commercial Music program. Students Emerie Ediger, Kacie Bell and Olivia Webber wrote personal songs about their testimonies and journeys of faith. The musicians performed these songs live with the dancers.
The wide variety of pieces within the concert gave voice to different emotions and experiences. The three senior dancers expressed their love for dance before graduating with their self-choreographed dance. Other students, like freshman Lilla Kate Parkman, had the chance to worship God through testimonial pieces.
“I think one thing that has been most rewarding has been realizing how dance can be a form of worship,” Parkman said. “Yes, you can focus on how tiring something is or if you mess up, but what helps me is when I realize I am dancing for an audience of one, and that is the Lord.”
“Voices” also allowed many of the dancers to step outside of their comfort zone. Junior Lilly Carroll said that the concert helped her grow and become a more well-rounded dancer.
“Company is very inclusive and very constructive,” Carroll said. “We’re all there for each other, and we see how we all have different strengths, and we learn from each other… It’s a really sweet community, so I’d say learning from my friends and fellow dancers is just really sweet.”
During pieces like “Intercede,” the performers were clearly feeling the impact of the testimonies. But every dancer was grinning ear-to-ear in numbers like the finale “Sing, Sing, Sing.”
Though few words were spoken during this concert, many different voices were expressed. Many feelings cannot be expressed by words, but as Samford Dance Company showed, they can be portrayed through dance.
Arts & Life Editor
