A clip from the DVD release of Glen Dance Studio 2012 recital showcasing the performance of the 9/11 tribute "Heaven," recorded by Gold Coast Productions.
Glen Dance Studio students will perform this piece in London, to entertain visitors at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in the prestigious English Arts Festival, an invitational three week dance exhibition organized by the American Alliance of Performing Arts Educators (AAPAE). Over 1,200 dancers will participate in the Festival, including dancers from America, Russia, India, Mexico and the United Kingdom. The largest foreign contingent will be American with 120 dance troupes participating.
Glen Dance Studio will showcase the poignant 9/11 ballet choreographed to "Heaven," (featured here) a song written and remixed by Sammy and Yanou for the 10th anniversary of 9/11. According to Kim Leary, the Group's Director, "The dance was created in honorable memory to give hope to the children of 9/11 -- that their Dads (or Moms) who perished on that day, may still be a part of their children's lives, guarding over them from heaven." When Leary heard the song on the radio, she was brought to tears. "It hit me on two levels. I felt all the emotions of fear, sadness and desperation from 10 years before, but it also got to me on a very personal level. I lost my dad six months before my wedding. In the song, a girl asks her dad if he will be there at her wedding when she walks down the aisle. I have to believe my dad was there for me." Leary knew if she could put a visual of a little girl growing up with this powerful song, the result would be very moving, especially to her community of New Yorkers, who may have lost relatives in the tragedy.
According to Leary, when the group rehearsed the piece, the dancers had to separate themselves from the emotional lyrics and focus on the music. After the dancers knew the choreography, they had to reconnect to the lyrics and the powerful feelings behind them. The group adorned in flowing red, white and blue costumes, recently performed the piece at the regional Competition and won the "Stellar Award," for best dance in the competition and "Ultimate Crowd Pleaser" award.
18 сен 2024
