Festival Program

SPECIAL THANKS

ZOO ARTS AND PARKS

BODY LOGIC DANCE COMPANY PRESENTS

BLD FESTIVAL ADJUDICATION CONCERT

Body Logic Dance presents its Fourth Annual Choreography Festival. The Festival was open to pre-professional and professional choreographers. The selected choreography and performances will be reviewed and adjudicated during this evening's concert, whereat its conclusion, a winner will be selected. The winning choreographer will receive a $400 prize.

*Photography and Videography of tonight's performance is strictly prohibited

program

Paradisaeidae
Choreographer: Jodie Lybarger
Music: Edvard Grieg, George Gershwin, and Henry Mancini
Dancers: Megan Allen, Sammy Gomm, Claire V.B. Hayes, Tara Richardson, Elizabeth Ruelle, Krista Widdison, and Maile Yukiko

EmMaura
Choreographer: Krista Widdison
Music: Alex Green
Dancers: Emmie Curtis and Maura Hopkins

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

I carry your heart (I carry it in my heart)
-E.E. Cummings

Danca Musicorum Ritmo
(Excerpts: Section 5, 6, and 7)
Choreographer: Joshua D. Estrada-Romero
Music: Faraualla
Dancers: Leann Alduenda, Kathy Duran, Candi Spahr
Program Note: This piece is inspired by the polyphonic rhythm found in the musical score. Much like the use of polyphonic texture in the music, we looked to combine different dance genres, movement practices, and efforts to create this dance.

More Beautiful for Having Been Broken
Choreographer: Monica Campbell
Music: Timothy Vadja
Dancers: Lexie Johnson and Rachel Miller
Program Note: This piece is dedicated to Jamie Ross.

Streetcar
Choreographer: Nicki Ouk
Music: Daniel Caeser
Dancers: Kaison Cotton and Nicki Ouk

adjudicators

MELANIE EWELL

Melanie began dancing at a very young age and knew quickly it was a passion she is not willing to live without. She began dancing with Body Logic Dance in 2012. She became Co-Director of Body Logic Dance Company in 2014, the same year she and Serena started Body Logic Dance Academy. Melanie has been a guest choreographer for various high schools in Utah. She has performed for a few pick-up companies, taught master classes, is a recurring judge for Utah Dance Sterling Scholar, and is Co-Creator of Body Logic Dance Festival. Dance has always been an integral part of her life. She would like mention a few humans who have
played a significant role in her path as a dance artist, Andrew and Barrett, Renee Crouch, Nichol Ortega, Angie Banchero-Kelleher and Mason. Thank you to my mom who always let me put dancing first and to my late baby brother who loved me unconditionally and taught me life is too short not to dream big and live the life you imagine.

KEVIN GIDDINS

Kevin is a successful byproduct of the foster care system of New York City. He was reared in New Jersey with eleven foster siblings who he calls his brothers and sisters. Through a DNA test, Kevin recently found his Biological Mother, Brother, and Sisters which adds “icing” to an already blessed life. Kevin graduated with a BFA from Ohio University and received his MA at BYU. Kevin comes from the two dance schools of Ben Vereen and Bill T. Jones. His performing career has spanned these two worlds (a show man on stage to an artist in the studio). His stage experience began in NYC, Broadway Productions with producer Ted Kurdyla, and his college days with the BYU Young Ambassadors/ Dancer's Company and mentored under Gladys Bailin- originally w/ Nikolais Dance. He has toured throughout the world educating and entertaining audiences of all kinds. Kevin has been featured in a few independent films; "Evolution of Bert", directed by Jeff Wray and "Fire Creek", directed by Dennis Packard. Kevin greatest joy is spending time with his wife, five children and friends... His greatest challenge is the same.

Lighting designer

KRAY CASPER

Kray recently graduated with a Bachelor's of Art in Theatre Arts from Weber State University. His emphasis was in directing, lighting design, and management. He also has a minor in Art History. Kray is very passionate about anything to do with art, in all forms. He believes that if more people understood art and appreciated it, the world would be a much better place. This is Kray's third production lighting for Body Logic Dance. He has always loved the art of dance, and the expression created from movement. He hopes his lighting helps to magnify that expression and give the audience a meaningful experience.

CHOREOGRAPHERS

MONICA CAMPBELL

Monica Campbell danced internationally for 8 years with Diavolo. She also acted as the rehearsal director and Associate Artistic Director of Diavolo with Director, Jacques Heim. She graduated from the University of Utah, Dance, with a M.F.A. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Dance at UVU, and served as the Modern/Contemporary Dance Program Coordinator for six years. Her company, Monica Campbell & Dancers was the winner of the Rocky Mountain Choreography Festival and premiered an evening of her work. She was an Associate Choreographer for Diavolo’s Fluid Infinities that premiered in Los Angeles at the Hollywood Bowl. She is thrilled to be in her 6th year as Artistic Director of UVU’s Contemporary Dance Ensemble (CDE), and is excited to begin the new adventure of acting as Chair of the Department of Dance at UVU!

JODIE LYBARGER

Jodie fell in love with movement at age three. Growing up, she enjoyed doing ballet, tap, and jazz. Jodie studied at Southern Utah University where she trained in modern and ballet and was a member of Orchesis Modern Dance Company. In 2013 and 2016, she had the opportunity to attend and perform at the American College Dance Association. Since graduating SUU in 2016, Jodie has been working professionally with Kinuko Modern Dance Company as a dancer and choreographer. This is Jodie’s second time presenting at the Body Logic Choreography Festival, and she is excited for the opportunity to network with other dancers and showcase her work.

NICKI OUK

Nicki was born and raised in West Valley, Utah, and has been dancing for 8 years. She is very fortunate and thankful to be inspired by the people surrounding her in dance. She has been apart of organizations such as Just Dance Studios, Millenium’s Boom Crew , UDO, and Underground. She also has had the opportunity to work with amazing choreographers such as Bonnie Story, Alan Salazar, and Jeffery Louizia.

JOSHUA ESTRADA-ROMERO

Born and raised in Southern California, Joshua D. Estrada-Romero began his dance training at California State University, Fullerton. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance in fall of 2008 and his MFA in Dance from the University of California Irvine in 2017. His extensive experience in dance, music, and art evolved through his dance memberships and training with Palindrome Dance Company, RhetOracle Dance Company, BARE Dance Company, Nickerson-Rossi Dance, and Kelly Alvarez & Artists. Joshua also worked with very well-known artists of the Limón Dance Company and Erick Hawkins Dance Company, and choreographer Victor Kabaniev. Joshua is the founder and artistic director of FUSE Dance Company based in Orange, CA, whose mission is to support and foster the growth and development of the performing arts in Southern California through performances, dance education, and dance community collaboration programs. He currently shares his passion as an instructor/choreographer to all dance students of California State University Fullerton, Mt. San Antonio College, Santa Ana College and Anaheim High School.

KRISTA WIDDISON

Krista draws inspiration for choreography from nature’s patterns and her deep-rooted spirituality, as well as the improvisation of her dancers and children at play. She earned a BFA in Modern Dance from the University of Utah. During her time there, she was honored to be an Anne Riordan Scholar, Emerging Leaders Intern, student choreographer, Performing Dance Company member, and Orchesis Honors Society President. She received further mentorship from Daniel Charon & Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company, Eric Handman, John Beasant III, A’Keitha Carey, SALT, and Northwest Dance Project. Since graduating, Krista became a mother and has enjoyed performing with Oquirrh West Project, Wasatch Contemporary Dance, and Body Logic Dance Company. She has continued her professional development as a teacher and performing arts life coach, teaching and choreographing for Ballet West Academy, Promethean Spark International, Children’s Ballet Theater, The School of Dance, and currently, eMotion Dance Studio.