Dance to the Music is a bold variation for the Creston Valley Music Teachers Association. The concert is their annual celebration of Canada Music Week, and this year focuses on the collaboration of music and dance.
The CVMTA concerts are community showcases. the Creston Community Band, under the direction of Monte Anderson, promises to keep your toes tapping with dance favorites. Louise n’ha Ruby, local vocal teacher, is excited to cross off another item on her “bucket list” as she joins them on a couple of big band favourites.
Twenty children in the Creston Children’s Choir are bringing their first dance to the stage. And Key of She, a 10-woman choral group, provides exciting rhythms and harmonies. Both of these groups are under the direction of Anita Stushnoff, who will also be showcasing her vocal gift.
Every year, the teachers invite talented local musicians to perform for these benefit events. This year, the roster includes well-known dance instructors Christine Miller and Nan Constable, and some members of their dance groups. Shirley Cameron and Ray Gauthier have become a well known staple of concert fare. It has been 14 years since Simon Lazarchuk has danced in public. We’re excited he chose our show to perform a challenging interpretive piece to music he has never heard before provided by piano and several local fiddlers.
This concert, once again, is performed by well-known local teachers Anderson, n’ha Ruby, Stushnoff, Kalen Huscroft, Laura From and Joanna Wilson. A relative newcomer to the CVMTA, Velle (Huscroft) Weitman, will be performing with her trio with her usual flair, and another newcomer, Dixie Lee Dyck, has taken on several roles, both on and off stage, weaving the show together with special guest, Vern Gorham.
Mark your calendar. You will not want to miss this celebration of dance. Concerts are 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 18 and 2 p.m. on Nov. 20 at Prince Charles Theatre. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for students and seniors, and $8 for children under 11, available at Black Bear Books or at the door.
— CRESTON VALLEY MUSIC TEACHERS ASSOCIATION