WHITTIER – Río Hondo College’s Dance Program students and staff are preparing to captivate the community with a series of vibrant and breathtaking solo and ensemble dances during “Emergence” – the Spring 2023 Dance Concert.

The concert, co-directed by Kristina Urteaga and Carol McDowell, will be held at 2 p.m. and
6 p.m. on Thursday, May 11 and 6 p.m. on Friday, May 12 at the Kinesiology, Dance and Athletics Complex at Río Hondo College. The concert will feature “Where I Left Off,” an ensemble dance work created by guest choreographer and College alumna Rivka Villanueva.

“We are very proud of the work all of our dance students have been doing to create, rehearse and present the dances on this concert to our community,” McDowell said. “Bringing Rivka Villanueva back as a guest choreographer to work with our current dance students has been inspiring for all of us. It is such a joy to see the evolution of her artistic process and the care with which she is mentoring young dance artists here at Río Hondo College.”

The intimate event, which will host 40 audience members, will also feature two dances performed at the 2023 American College Dance Association Baja Conference: “Insist” by student choreographer Rosita Rico and “Of Leaves and Trees” by faculty choreographer Rachel Lopez.

The event will also include solos by alumni Venus Fields and Luzely Lopez, new dances by student choreographers Nadine Gomez and Tori Lopez, dance solos by Andy Garcia, Destiny Mendoza, Rosita Rico and Victoria Rodriguez, two new dance ensemble works by faculty choreographers Lisa Jay and McDowell, and dances from the College’s modern dance and jazz dance classes.

“We are excited to see the work of our Dance Program students and staff on display,” Superintendent/President Dr. Marilyn Flores said. “Our Dance Program has such a long, proud history of excellence and we hope our community will be fascinated by these performances.”

Admission is free, but a suggested donation of $10 will be accepted at the door and will go directly to the Dance Program to help send students attend the American College Dance Association Conference in 2024. Guests can park in Lots E and J, free of charge.

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

DANCE1: “Insist” choreographed by Rosita Rico, performed by Zoe Ibanez, Tori Lopez, Crystal Ocegueda, Rosita Rico and Arlene Rivera. Photo by Skye Schmidt @ACDA Baja 2023.

DANCE2: “Of Leaves and Trees” choreographed by Rachel Lopez, performed by Jasmine Garcia, Nadine Gomez, Tori Lopez and Susana Reyes. Photo by Skye Schmidt @ACDA Baja 2023.