SONGBOOK - Free in-person and online performance
The performance, titled Songbook, is a captivating, one-show-only dance event that seamlessly blends the timeless elegance of the Great American Songbook with the infectious energy of contemporary pop classics. Set against iconic jazz standards and chart-topping hits, the show celebrates music's universal power to connect and uplift. Whether it’s the smooth sophistication of a Gershwin ballad or the catchy pulse of a modern pop anthem, the performance will represent a range of choreography that spans classical ballet elegance and cutting-edge street styles.
In addition to Central Connecticut State University’s dance faculty and scholars, notable professional guest companies include:
• Jennifer Muller/The Works is a New York-based dance company that earned global recognition for its dynamic theatricality, virtuosity, and humanity- touring 39 countries on four continents.
• Island Reflections Dance Theatre is a dance company that centralizes educating the community about Caribbean Folk, Ballet, Modern Contemporary, African, and other world dance forms.
Guest choreographers include:
• Garet Wierdsma, Artistic Director of Garet&Co, a professional contemporary dance company based in Northern CT. Her work has been presented at celebrated dance venues, like Jacob's Pillow (MA), Symphony Space (NYC), and Ailey Citigroup Theatre (NYC).
• Emily Bufferd, the Producer of The Young Choreographer's Festival, an annual event presenting some of the most up-and-coming 18-25-year-old young choreographers in all genres of dance, Faculty at Steps on Broadway and Broadway Dance Center in NYC, and Choreographer whose work has been described as "visually stunning" -OnStageBlog.com and "technically intricate and portrayed exquisitely" - Examiner.com.
• Christine Sessa, co-owner and artistic director of Morlock School of Dance in East Hartford has become “a powerhouse in the dance world” - CTPublic.org.
Guest performing arts high schools include:
• Norwich Free Academy is a liberal arts education-focused institution that prepares young scholars for post-secondary education through specialty programs and the visual and performing arts.
Event Links
Website: https://go.evvnt.com/2953456-0
