Colors flash, costumes billow and bodies move in styles varied and beautiful.
The Orchesis Dance Company has stunned and inspired audiences since its establishment in 1969 by Dr. Moon Ja Minn Suhr, a dance instructor who still teaches dance classes.
Heather Bartow, a theatre major, saw the Orchesis performance last year.
“I really enjoy dancing, so it was great to see the craziness of the talent,” she said. “It was really impressive. The costumes were good; the choreography was good.”
About 25 to 30 dancers ranging in majors and skills, from intermediate to advanced, comprise Cal Poly’s oldest concert dance group, which also occasionally includes professional-level contemporary guest dancers. The experience of guest artists from New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and elsewhere add to the artistry and culture of performances.
The company invites all students, faculty, staff and alumni with a love of dance to audition. Some members remain with the organization for a few years before graduating.
As a part of the theatre and dance department, Orchesis is directed by Maria Junco, head of Cal Poly’s Dance Program, and assistant director Diana Stanton.
Junco believes in the power of dance and its ability to enhance other qualities of dancers.
“Through Orchesis, students expand their understanding of dance in all its rich manifestations as well as expand their abilities in dance,” Junco said. “Artistic experiences help round a student’s education in our polytechnic environment. Also, by learning about and experiencing the art form, they come to better understand themselves.”
Officers assist in selecting members at auditions and with various tasks and activities throughout the year. This year’s officers are biochemistry junior Crystal Valdez, president; business senior Rochelle Norwood, vice president; communication junior Francesca Lee, treasurer; and communication senior Stephanie Ericsson, publicity chair.
Valdez said that Orchesis has given her the chance to pursue dancing at Cal Poly as a dance minor.
“I’ve been privileged to be an officer,” Valdez said. “It’s a lot of responsibility and you get to see different sides of the company, not just what members see.
“It’s been different compared to the other two years I’ve been a member. You get to see the dynamics of the company, not just what’s on stage. There are different pieces to the performance.”
While dancers choose what styles to perform, they are learned in a variety of types such as jazz, modern, hip-hop, ballet, tap, ballroom and lyrical. Faculty, guest artists and students choreograph the dances, though student choreography undergoes an audition process.
Orchesis performs at venues such as community concerts, the America College Dance Festival and Cal Poly’s Open House.
The plat du jour of the year’s activities, however, is the winter dance concert, which includes six performances that attract around 2,500 people. This year’s performances will take place in Spanos Theatre Feb. 1 through Feb. 3 and Feb. 7 through Feb. 9.
This year’s show, entitled “Momentum,” will include a number of award-winning guest choreographers, including Robert Moses of San Francisco, Davis Robertson of New York, Dennon and Sayhber Rawles, Gregg Russel, Lisa Deyo and others.
Also, the Pilipino Cultural Exchange (PCE) will perform with the Orchesis Dance Company again this year. “They have been an exciting addition to our performances these last few years,” Junco said.
Though student work hasn’t been selected for the show yet, Junco is excited about the progress Orchesis is making.
“The kind of talent we witness in our program is really outstanding, particularly when you keep in mind that dance does not have a major at Cal Poly,” she said.
An Associated Students Inc. organization, Orchesis Dance Company is an academic group funded through Instructionally Related Activities (IRA), which helps fund projects with student fees.
Dues are $100 and wholly or partially cover a sweatshirt, performance trips and other expenses. Members are usually expected to pay for or provide their costumes. Thus, fundraising and donations are an important part of the company’s survival.
While Orchesis dancers can choose how much time to dedicate to the company, they are required to enroll in production classes during fall and spring quarters, some of which last up to four hours. Technique classes and rehearsals are conducted during class hours as well as on weeknights and weekends,
according to Junco. Dancers spend at least 15 hours a week in class and rehearsal, and more during production times and for choreographers, Junco said.
Dancers also attend field trips, rehearsals and other concert prep activities, many of which are mandatory and for grades.
“Our intense production schedule teaches them to work collaboratively and creatively as a team,” Junco said. “It fosters responsibility, organization and self-discipline.”