CCM Ballet Ensemble Performs in Concert This Weekend

The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music's (CCM) Department of Dance concludes its yearlong 50th anniversary celebration with a demanding and impressive Fall Dance Concert, running this weekend, Dec. 5-7 in UC's Patricia Corbett Theater. The concert program features ballets by guest choreographers Michael Bearden and Tong Wang, as well as works by CCM Dance faculty members. Department Chair Jiang Qi and Associate Professor of Dance Deirdre Carberry direct.

This concert's mixed repertoire includes a world premiere of Tong Wang's contemporary ballet Good Monsters with music by Philip Glass. Wang's young son, who shares his fantasies about his imaginary animal friends each morning, inspired this piece. Wang has danced a full range of ballets from classical to contemporary with world-renowned choreographers such as George Balanchine, Antony Tudor and Frederic Ashton.

Michael Bearden choreographs Simpatico, a contemporary ballet with music by Dmitri Shostakovich depicting the human condition with an emphasis on our struggle for unity as we wrestle with internal battles and conflicts with others over ideals. Earlier this fall, CCM students performed Simpatico at the Beijing Dance Academy's 60th anniversary international gala celebration under the direction of Jiang Qi. CCM was one of only 20 schools from around the world - and one of only three schools from the United States - invited to participate in this event. Bearden also studied with Balanchine, Ashton and Tudor along with many others.

Jiang Qi presents his work The Reflection of Autumn with music by Mauro Giuliani, which was originally performed in 2007. A neoclassical ballet, The Reflection of Autumn portrays how young people experience the challenges and complications in their relationships.

Deirdre Carberry restages Flames of Paris with choreography by Vasily Vainonen and music by Boris Asafyev. This classical ballet depicts the turbulent era of the French Revolution and was originally created to portray the Soviet ideology for the Soviet stage during the 1930s and 40s. The contemporary version focuses on the struggle of the heroic revolutionary.

In addition to these wonderful works, newly appointed faculty member Andre Megerdichian premiers Released Naked with music by Aaron Copland. This piece is a visceral rite of passage following a young woman's journey through the innocence of youth, the passion of love and the realization of her personal manifest destiny.

CCM's Fall Dance Concert promises to be a bold combination of choreography and talent by both students and professional dancers.