Month: February 2017

Learning from The Master

Passionate about music education, Sir James Galway has worked tirelessly to promote the arts and pass on the experience and knowledge he’s gained as a professional flutist to others.

He himself started playing on a borrowed flute as a young boy in Belfast before he would eventually hit the international stage as one of the most well-known classical musicians of the 20th century and before he collaborated on the famed The Lord of the Rings soundtrack.

“I am a firm believer that anyone, of any age or background, should have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument, be given music education or be able to further his or her musical studies,” Galway says. “To make this possible, they should have access to knowledge from those who have the experience and ability to pass it on.”

Thirty years ago, Galway started a flute residency in Switzerland, which eventually grew into the Galway Flute Academy. Since then, he’s gone around the world hosting masterclasses, flute festivals, and spreading music education.

On March 27th, Galway will conduct a free and open to the public masterclass at Colorado State University giving community members and students of all ages and skill levels a chance to learn directly from the master. “There is nothing like being able to guide a student through the challenges they face in pursuit of their goals,” says Galway.

Galway also hosts an online educational network that anyone can join. On Galway’s website he states, “To further connect us with students, educators and flute lovers, we created First Flute, my online teaching series, which allows you to learn from me anytime, anywhere and takes you on a visual journey into my world of teaching.”

Considered a living legend and the supreme interpreter of the classical flute repertoire, Galway has sold over 30 million recordings worldwide. His expressive interpretations span an extensive range of genres and is sure to please even the most casual of classical music fans. Galway will perform at the Fort Collins Lincoln Center on Sunday, March 26th. Regular tickets start at $33 and student seats start at $16.50.

Experience Galway’s musical range and prowess here:

Complexions Kicks Convention to the Curb

You won’t find another dance performance that begins with the music of Bach, ends with Metallica, and highlights David Bowie and Odetta songs in the middle — unless you’re fortunate enough to see Complexions at the Fort Collins Lincoln Center this March.

Complexions isn’t just another ordinary dance company. Their style, performances and methods push far beyond the boundaries of convention, forming an eclectic group that reinvents dance.

“Complexions is a contemporary ballet company,” says co-founder
and choreographer Dwight Rhoden, but they are far from stuffy. “The company itself does everything from neoclassical to high energy works. We’re not afraid to entertain you.”

Cofounders Desmond Richardson and Dwight Rhoden were both principal dancers with the renowned Alvin Ailey dance company, and Richardson was the first black American principal dancer of American Ballet Theatre. From this foundation, the group’s aim has been to foster diversity with a group of dancers from varied backgrounds.

It’s this originality that’s kept the company thriving since 1994. Rhoden says that the company has a focus and energy that have maintained its caliber while keeping things fresh for the past two decades.

Connection is another high priority in their performances — Rhoden hopes that the audience finds it “easy to sit back and watch and identify with a dancer.”  They hope to attract those that may not necessarily “get” dance, and give them a performance to emotionally connect with.

Experience the physicality, athleticism, inclusivity and range of Complexions on March 22. Seats start at $15 and we invite you to stay for the FREE post-show discussion.

Spreading Positivity Through Dance

lllstyle & Peace Productions is a multicultural Philadelphia-based dance company founded on the basic principles of fostering love, peace, and respect while instilling inspiration and a sense of purpose in all who see their performances. Utilizing elements of West African dance, hip-hop, tap, ballet, DJing, and beatboxing, Illstyle delivers positive messages about respecting one another, and speaking up and standing up to bullies.

Illstyle will be spreading their message of positivity via Poudre School District school visits, UC Health pediatric ward visits, and in their performance at the Lincoln Center on February 25th as a part of the Imagination Series.

Illstyle’s goal is using hip-hop to educate kids and reinforce positivity because they believe that is the key to success. “This program is about kids having self-esteem,” says the group’s founder, Brandon ‘Peace’ Albright to The Patriot Ledger. “Growing up, kids don’t always have the courage or self-esteem to say something or express themselves.”

 

 

More than just a fun, positive and family-friendly show, Illstyle displays an astonishing spectacle of rhythm and precision. Albright’s resume is impressive, having danced for major recording artists such as Will Smith, LL Cool J, Run DMC, Boys II Men and The Beach Boys, and touring with DanceAfrica and the Memphis Ballet. Many dancers in the troupe have also toured internationally.

The New York Times raved about Illstyle, saying,“watching [them] was like watching the greatest ballet virtuosos, each fighting gravity and the appearance of effort, and demanding and getting the impossible from the human body. They were fabulous.”

You can see Illstyle & Peace Productions at the Lincoln Center February 25th at 2 p.m, or 6 p.m. Seats are available for $16 at LCtix.com.