NORWICH – An electrifying combination of good vibrations, high volume and dance promises to thrill audiences this weekend as the Donna Frech School of Dance showcases its 34th annual recital.
All genres of dance - backed by music from the 50s through the 90s - will be performed in evening shows, titled “Good Vibrations” and featuring the studio’s cast of senior dancers, at 7 on Friday and Saturday; and in “Turn Up the Volume” matinees, which feature the talents of the younger students, at 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
All four of the Donna Frech School of Dance recitals take place at the Norwich High School auditorium, Midland Drive, Norwich.
“This year’s performances are the culmination of a dance year filled with hard work, discipline, fun, dreams and good vibrations of our own,” said the school’s principal choreographer and studio teacher/owner Donna Frech.
“The choreography, music, costumes and whole concept of the performance will make you think you’re watching a professional touring company. The persona of the dancers electrifies the stage and will draw you into every moment. The audience will feel the music ... everyone knows that sound waves are vibrations...the sound waves traveling across the stage and into the audience combined with the visuals created through dance will create what this weekend is all about, “Good Vibrations,’” she said.
The cast of the senior performance is made up of a variety of dancers, from those who have been studying for as many as 15 years, to younger students performing in the senior recital for the first time, and to adults who wouldn’t miss the excitement of being on stage. Many of the dancers are members of the studio’s award winning dance group, the DFSD company dancers.
The younger performers in the matinees may be little, but they promise to “Turn Up The Volume” and be heard. The students’ ages range from young, first time dancers up through the DFSD company dancers who open the show with “The Nicest Kids in Town.” Memorable songs such as “I’m A Little Wooden Puppet,” “Swinging On A Star,” and “Three Little Fishes,” compliment the dancing of the younger generation.
“The year end recital is a wonderful experience. This is especially true for the younger students, who have learned that they can have fun while learning to dance,” said Kristen Miller, an instructor at the studio for the past seven years. “Whether it’s the intensive study student who attends classes 4 to 5 times a week, or the recreational student attending class one or twice a week, they all come together with a strong commitment, to present our awesome year-end performance.”
Tickets are available at the studio and at the door prior to each performance and from the following: First Edition Book Store in Norwich; Service Pharmacy in New Berlin and Sherburne; Bartle’s Pharmacy in Oxford; and Video Entertainment Plus in Sidney.