CSN Fine Arts Department presents CSN Spring Formal Dance Concert 2025
CSN’s Dance Program presents the Spring Formal Dance Concert 2025 with new works by faculty, students and guest artists to give our students the full experience of what it takes to become a working artist, choreographer and performer. Our students have had the opportunity to experience working alongside professional choreographers and local companies. We are excited to present, share and continue to build connections within the Las Vegas dance community.
Step into spring’s vibrant embrace with rich a 75-minute dance concert weaving together the past and present. This isn’t just a performance. It’s a journey through dance history and culture; a vibrant tapestry woven from the threads of ballet, modern, contemporary, hip-hop, and Afro-fusion.
We are excited to present Kathering Dunahm, Pina Bausch, and Paul Taylor, plus inspired new works by Carrie Miles, Pendu Malik, and Denise Darnell. The year was spent with our CSN Concert Company diving into their style, contributions and impact
Carrie Miles, inspired by her study of Paul Taylor’s choreography and techniques at the American Dance Festival (ADF), has crafted a captivating and technically sophisticated work. In this piece, a trio of dancers seamlessly intertwine their movements, embracing the playful and imaginative spirit of the creation with special guest, Alexandra Swaim, of the Meraki Dance Theatre Company.
Pina’s, “A Love Story,” is a suite designed for our 287 Concert Dance Company as a tribute to how Pina Buasch influenced Denise Darnell as a young dancer. Bausch’s experimental search for her own form of artistic language, challenging the dialogue between dance and theatre and developing new dramaturgical and performative forms were at the heart of her artistry. Ms. Darnell uses the influence from the Rite of Spring and created a contemporary adaptaion for the CSN Dancers.
Pendu Malik, came to us with a breath of knowledge of Katheirne Dunham. Although long recognized as a major force in American dance, Katherine Dunham is less a household name than some of her contemporaries, such as Martha Graham or George Balanchine. Nonetheless, her creative influence is just as profound. In addition to her theatrical career, Dunham did pioneering work in the field of dance anthropology and founded a school that embodied multi-cultural principles decades before the term was used in the field of education. Ms. Pendu spent the year working with the CSN Concert Company in preparing them for this rich experiential performance.
From the begining stages of planning, since we are incorporating a bit of history and blending it to today’s world, it was discussed that we present the history of Hip Hop. An Afro Fusion and Hip Hop collaboration piece was born called, “Roots and Rhythm,” which went partly onto the second round in the World Cultural Dance Competition in Los Angeles and is choreographed by Pendu Malik and Liezel Marie Guzman. It began with the need to teach the roots of the language of urban dance. By blending the explosive footwork, isolations, and the grounded nature of both styles we highlight the historical and cultural ties between African diasporic dances, but also create a dynamic, high-energy performance that bridges past and present. This piece honors the resilience, creativity, and evolution of Black dance forms while fostering cross-cultural appreciation and innovation of current dance styles.
*Professional guest choreogrpahers Jayy Gamble, Nay Givens, LJ Martinez and student Aaron Sullivan worked with our students for the piece entitled, “To Be in the Know, Movement”
– Hip Hop History Lesson within the Theater Concept by: Liezel Marie
Dolly Kelepecz, ballet specialist known for her long history of Dance Art in Las Vegas, choreographed the piece, “Divertissements,” a ballet collage including partnering and pointe work. Dolly has included UNLV Alumnae, Brooke De Soto, to perform with our CSN Dance Program. A true collaboration.
Our special guest, Monica Armstrong, comes from Somerset Losee Academy. The Losee Performance Company created a piece just for this event. Emily Gastelum and Mia Ledezma are excited to share their new works, “Statius Achilleid,” with us. Ms. Monica has been a big supporter of our program. She has spent years contributing to young dancers in the Las Vegas Community. We are so happy to have her students share the stage with us.
Rounding out the celebration are three captivating works selected from our inaugural CSN Student Dance Concert, which showcases the brilliant creativity of our dance majors.CSN Spring Dance Formal is more than just a performance; it’s a celebration of dance, a testament of it’s power to bridge time and cultures, and a glimpse into the future of dance itself.
The concert takes place on Friday, April 25th at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, April 26th at 2:00 p.m and 7 p.m. in the Nicholas Horn Theatre. General Admission is $8.00 and $5.00 for students and seniors. For more information or to purchase tickets online, please visit us at: www.csn.edu/pac.
CSN’s Performing Arts Center, provides quality artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for the college and the community. It is located at 3200 East Cheyenne Avenue in North Las Vegas.
