July 25, 2002 -- Teachers and students of the Snowy Range Summer Dance Festival will
perform Saturday, July 27, at 7:30 p.m. in the University of Wyoming College of Arts
and Sciences auditorium. Tickets cost $7 for students and $10 for others. For additional
concert information or to buy tickets call (307) 766-6666.
The dance instructors are Tony Coppola, Jay Franke and John Pennington; with students
in repertoire by Cameron Basden, Peter Pucci, Coppola, Frank and Pennington.
"This is one of the most exciting and well attended concerts," says festival coordinator
Patricia Tate, professor in the UW Department of Theatre and Dance. "It features faculty
solo and advanced students chosen for repertoire pieces." This concert concludes the
11-day dance workshop.
Among the instructors is Tony Coppola; the festival's tap/rhythm instructor. Coppola
has long-standing national recognition as an all-America gymnast, master teacher,
tap dancer and professional percussionist. He has staged and choreographed the Superstars
of Gymnastics for USA TV Network, John Tesh "Live at Red Rocks" for PBS, "The Mystery
and Magic of Nadia Comaneci" for ABC Wide World of Sports, and the World Gold Gymnastics
Tour.
Instructor Jay Franke has danced with Twyla Tharp, Hubbard Street Dancers in Chicago
and the 58 Group. He teaches jazz at Lou Conte Dance School (Hubbard Street Dancers)
and freelances as a guest choreographer in Chicago, New York and throughout the world.
He has performed in numerous productions for Opryland USA.
John Pennington performed the Lewitzky Dance Company for 14 years. He has taught technique,
improvisation, composition and movement for actors throughout the United States and
Europe. He now teaches at Pomona College and Loyola Marymount University in California.
Peter Pucci was a member of the Pilobolus Dance Theatre for nine years, where he served
as a principal dancer, co-choreographer and rehearsal director. Since 1986, he has
directed and choreographed for his own company, Peter Pucci Plus Dancers. The company
performs annually in New York City, including five appearances at the Joyce Theatre,
and tours throughout the United States and Europe.
Posted on Thursday, July 25, 2002
