Saving the last dance: UK ensemble performs final concert for director

By Sarah Wainright

This weekend, students can get a glimpse into the minds of their classmates through dance.

Since the beginning of the semester, the 35 members of the UK Dance Ensemble have been working with their director for the last time preparing dances for two concerts this weekend.

The UKDE has practiced in Barker Hall three hours each week. Choreographers have had one additional hour to rehearse their dance with their group of dancers each Sunday. 

Sixteen dances will be performed at the concerts, 13 of which were choreographed by students.Many different types of dances will be performed, including modern, Indian, Spanish-Jazz, musical theatre and even a Rockette-style piece.

“It’s a great opportunity to see so many different types of dance,” said  foreign language international economics senior Anna Maria McCombs.

Leslie Merrill, a UK alum and former UKDE member who now lives in California, choreographed a 7-minute dance for the concert. Merrill flew to Kentucky for a weekend in February to quickly teach the dance to the performers.

“It was overwhelming at the time, but I am really glad that I did it now,” said Audra Flanagan, a business management junior who is part of Merrill’s dance.

 “It was really intense on the body and mind,” McCombs said.

The concert will be the last for the director of the UKDE. Rayma Beal, an associate professor in the department of kinesiology and health promotion, recently announced her retirement.

Beal has been the director of the dance ensemble for 22 years. When she came to UK in 1986, she saw the need for a dance program. From 1939 through the 1960s, UK had a dance program, but it wasn’t active for nearly 20 years. In the spring of 1987, Beal revived the dance ensemble.

Beal said of the many things she will miss about being the director, she will miss “seeing the students really develop into stronger performers” the most.

Beal added that she would also miss watching the students’ choreography develop over time.

“I’m really going to miss her guidance and her helping me to become a better dancer and choreographer,” Flanagan said.

Beal cares about every one of her dancers personally, McCombs said.

“Her passion for dance and her passion for us to succeed as dancers is inspiring,” McCombs said.

The concert will be held at the Singletary Center on Saturday and Sunday. Those involved encouraged students to come see the dances their classmates have created to express themselves.

“They need to see the art and creative abilities of their peers,” Beal said.