Western Oregon Dance Students to Perform at The National College Dance Festival

The seven WOU student performers are Latoya Shantia Lovely of Belleglade, Fla.; Michael Coleman of North Bend; Samuel Hobbs of Beaverton; Corale Lamont of Monroe; Jessica Sanford of Salem; Brynn Sylvester of Newberg and Jessica Evans of North Bend.

The dance is set to "The Goldberg Variations" written by J.S. Bach

(MONMOUTH) - Seven Western Oregon University dance students have been selected to perform as part of the National College Dance Festival at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. from May 16 to 18.

"The Lisa Variations," choreographed by WOU guest artist Valerie Bergman, was one of three dances selected from a field of 40 to represent the northwest region.

The dance, explores the inner journey that evolves as one prepares to enter a new part of one`s life, the poignancy of leaving behind both old friends and one`s old self, at the same time looking forward with eagerness to the adventures to come.

It sets forth an initial theme followed by seven variations, each challenging the dancers in a difference aspect of dance technique.

The dance is set to "The Goldberg Variations" written by J.S. Bach.

WOU student Corale Lamont was nominated for Dance Magazine`s Outstanding Student Performer Award for her title role in "The Lisa Variations."

The award honors a student who demonstrates excellence in technique and artistry during their performance in the regional dance concert.

Only one student from each of the five regions of the American College Dance Festival Association is nominated for the award.

Bergman danced professionally in New York with internationally recognized choreographers such as Merce Cunningham, Nina Wiener and Mel Wong.

She founded the Rainbow Dance Theatre in 1991, currently housed at WOU.

Bergman has won awards and grants from organizations such as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Oregon Arts Commission, Hawaii State Dance Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.