IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 5, 2007
CONTACT: Gordon Ovenshine:
724-738-4854

gordon.ovenshine@sru.edu

Dance majors bring India experience to the stage 

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Three Slippery Rock University dance majors will present the vibrant moves of classical Indian dance and share a travelogue about their summer in the country March 22 at 8 p.m. in the Pearl K. Stoner Instructional Complex’s West Gym. Attendees will be able to sample Indian food and see a cultural display in the lobby.

     Christine Chever of Lancaster, Alexandra Rice of Gibsonia and Angel Streitman of Butler will perform three dances, dressed in Indian attire. The genre features rhythmic motion of body parts, percussive foot movements and hand and face gestures telling a story, according to Melissa Teodoro, SRU assistant professor of dance.

The SRU trio spent part of last summer at the Kala Sadhanalaya School in Chennai. Their travels took them to New Delhi and Agra, site of the Taj Mahal.

      The students prepared for their trip by taking SRU’s world dance course taught by Jaya Mani, dance instructor.  It was augmented by cultural instruction from SRU’s Srinivasa Mani, profession of sociology, anthropology and social work.

      Children that work with Jaya Mani will also perform at the concert.

      The concert is a fund-raiser for SRU’s Dance in India Initiative. The program sends SRU students to India for five weeks of dance instruction and travel. Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for students, children and those 62 and older. Tickets may be purchased at the door

     Slippery Rock University is Pennsylvania’s premier public residential university. Slippery Rock University provides students with a comprehensive learning experience that intentionally combines academic instruction with enhanced educational and learning opportunities that make a positive difference in their lives.