Kathleen Helm

Last night, I didn’t quite fulfill my expectations of making a really great, inspirational speech for our “Hallway Session”. So here is what I really meant to say (but wasn’t able to).

For weeks, I had been simultaneously dreading and anticipating the closing night of “Continuum”. Orchesis has been such an integral part of my college experience, and has shaped me into the person I have become in the past four years. I think everyone in the company can agree that dance has the ability to transcend us into a world that is not known to most people. The unique connections we all share, the art of moving, and the thrill of being on stage are sensations that are hard to describe, unless you are a dancer. I was dreading the idea that this was my last performance with Orchesis, because I didn’t want the incredible journey to end. However, I knew that closing night is the time to celebrate everything we have accomplished. It is a time to dance for the mere love of dancing.

The word, “Continuum”, was so essential to the growth of Orchesis this past year. At the beginning, we were just individuals with different ideas and expectations. As we prepared for our concert, these ideas and expectations transformed and combined into substantial works of art. The individuality soon melted away as we all united as a group, combining our efforts to produce a wonderful show. I was so proud to watch this happen; to see dancers overcome hefty obstacles and truly commit to dance was so inspiring. We have all contributed to the continuum of Orchesis—a continuum that will carry on far into the future, which is something really exceptional to be a part of.

To end this “speech”, I just want to congratulate all of my fellow “Orchies”. We should all feel so proud of what we have accomplished. Thank you all for being so dedicated, talented, friendly, and just an overall incredible group. I have loved being president, and I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for Orchesis!

One last thing. I promise.
If any of you “Orchies” have any doubts of coming back next year, please do come back. I can guarantee that you will regret your decision and want to be on that stage more than anything!
Photo:
Prem Ananda

Alexandra Thomsen Wolfe
I’ve had a few revelations:

On the radio the other day a song by Garth Brooks called “The River” came on. I knew the song, but hadn’t really listened to what the words were saying before and as I listened a phrase struck me. It says, “So don’t you stand upon the shoreline and say you’re satisfied, choose to chance the rapids and dare to dance the tide.” I thought about this and whether I’ve led my life on the shore of if I’ve chosen to chance the rapids. And I realized that I am most definitely chancing the rapids in terms of creating a piece for Orchesis. Choreographing this year has been such an eye opening experience and a huge challenge. Until now I don’t think I even realized what a big chance, or risk I was taking. To take my ideas and put them out for the world to scrutinize is a very courageous thing to do. A lot of people would never dream of doing something so bold, they would be too frightened and self-conscious. And to be honest, I was that person all the way up until dress rehearsal of our show. I was terrified, worrying what people would think of my piece and whether it was any good. At every showing I felt like running away and hiding because I was so worked up about my ideas being judged by my peers and my professors. What if it is not good and no one likes it and I look like a complete fool in front of everyone? These thoughts were swimming constantly through my mind. And yet, I chose not to give up or give in. I kept plugging away at my piece with the invaluable help of my dancers who through every rehearsal gave me tiny flutters of inspiration to draw from. I now realize that the fact that I did this, choreographed a dance for Orchesis, is quite impressive. I do have talent and am capable of creating a work of art that is worthy of the stage. It only took me five months to realize it, but at least I now know that I am a creative and artistic individual with a lot to offer.
Another revelation I had came just last night after one of my friends came to see the show. He had never been to a dance concert such as this and was fascinated by everything, especially my piece. He asked me question after question about how you go about choreographing something such as this, how you get everyone who is in your piece to be motivated to perform it, and where ideas for movement come from? He then asked what the meaning of my piece was. I explained to him the concept I had worked with and I could just see in his eyes the awe and wonder of it all. I realized that my piece is no longer about my intentions or what I am trying to say. It has taken on a life of its own that is affecting people in ways I do not even know. And that is the great value of dance: Inspiring people not only through movement, but speaking to people on an intellectual level about a certain concept or idea. My dance has done this in ways I never imagined. My friend was so captivated by the fact that I used my faith as inspiration for my dance piece and that I was putting it out there for everyone to see. I’ve also realized that my piece and story is reaching people I am not acquainted with. My dancers have had friends say how much they enjoyed my piece and after my dancers explained what it is about, they expressed an even greater delight in it. That was so pleasing to hear. Through my dance I am not expecting people to be inspired to have the same faith as I do, but, possibly, people are inspired in some way, shape, or form. Perhaps people will think more about whatever faith it is that they have and to analyze it more closely, really contemplating what it means to them and what role it plays in their life. I love the fact that dance can really promote this type of awareness and instigate new thoughts and ideas to enter one’s mind, whatever the thoughts may be. Before discovering this enlightenment I felt kind of guilty about spending so much time dancing because I felt it wasn’t helping others in a meaningful way or really something that was worthy of so much devotion. I’ve been searching to find what it is about dance that I truly love and why it does have merit and now I have finally found it through choreography.
I had these epiphanies last night and then this morning these ideas were reinforced through none other than the Bible itself. I have a daily inspiration book with quotes from the Bible along with explanations and I hadn’t looked in it for weeks. I finally picked it up this morning and this is what it said for today: “ ‘God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that God’s generosity can flow through you. 1 Peter 4:10.’ God gives everyone specific abilities and strengths. Sometimes we neglect to use those abilities, or we get in a rut of using them only for ourselves (on a hobby, for example). When we see our abilities as gifts from almighty God, it is humbling to think that he would value us enough to put these gifts within our care. Use them for your personal enjoyment, but use them also to serve others, for that is where they have the greatest impact. We can pass on the gifts of our abilities to others again and again without running out. Through this act of serving others, we will find the attitude adjustment we seek. Humble gratitude will pave the way.” This has truly spoken to me in so many ways and I cannot deny the blatant message that has revealed itself. What these words are saying is what I realized on my own, and now seeing it written down and the way in which it was presented to me in such a fateful way solidifies it. Dancing is my joy and is a gift that I have been given. I may not necessarily be the best dancer, but I have been instilled with a love for it. And now through choreographing I have discovered how to use these gifts to let God’s generosity flow through me so I can serve others.

Photo: Sara Tollefson

Rebecca Jensen

The show opens this weekend! I’m going through a variety of emotions, as a choreographer and a dancer: happy, sad, frustrated, butterflies, proud, loud, scared, excited, stressed… you name it. I’m feelin’ it.
Being on stage with the costumes, the lights, the makeup, the hair…it is truly a gift. All my life, this has been my outlet, my hobby, my “thing.” The feeling is indescribable. The best description I can give is one that I’d most likely say to my ESPN-obsessed boyfriend: I feel like Brent Farve, I’d addicted and I can’t stop. I keep thinking this will be my last game, and I play like it too, but don’t be surprised if you see me on the field again. As a matter of fact, I think I’ll just keep playing forever, no matter how old I get. I’m addicted to dance (but not for the money like Brent of course).
My piece, “Chocolate” is stressing me out. I have five amazing dancers to work with in this piece, each with a different dance background. This dance has been through a lot, it underwent a TON of changes/corrections while preparing for this concert. While I told the girls to “commit to the movement,” I understand how it might have been hard for them to fully commit, especially since things kept changing. When the dance was finally completed, I could see the girls were worn out. Just as I, they were frustrated. The style, first of all, was new to the majority of the dancers, plus they were still trying to grasp the choreography. 4 weeks before the show, we danced the piece in the studio for the entire company to watch. They WERKED; I felt like a proud mommy. 2 weeks before the show, we had our first tech/lighting rehearsal…simply put, it looked like those girls did not want to be on stage. Now, more than ever, I need those girls to commit to the dance. I need attitude, character, teamwork, and authentic movement quality. Granted, this was their first tech rehearsal…everything was frantic…first time with lights, costumes, makeup, etc. Stressed and panicked, I called a last minute rehearsal last night.
Last night, I was reminded of why I love dance. For the first time, I felt like we were in this together. The girls understood the problems, and worked together to fix them. It was all very positive. I knew we’d be okay when Michele said to me, “It feels so different when you actually dance in character. It’s actually really fun and makes me want to dance harder. The movement feels complete this way.” Finally, I felt like I could breathe again. This was my goal, it’s all of our goals. This is why we dance, to have a good time and enjoy the gifts that were given to us- and that’s all I could ever ask from them. Not to mention, they rocked the shit out of that dance last night, I’ve never seen it look so good. I am yet again a proud mommy. Seeing them happy with their work makes me happy. I feel like they’re stoked to on stage and show the world how beautiful they are, and that makes me so excited! You’ll see, they’re freakin’ hot!

Photo: Sara Tollefson

Crystal Valdez

My last year in Orchesis

This is my 5th and last year on the Orchesis Dance Company and it is definitely a bittersweet feeling. Currently we are in the theater with blocking and lighting rehearsals so I really haven’t had anytime to reflect. But with a day off, my mind was able to wonder slightly and inspire me to write. If I can recall correctly I typically experience some type of either spiritual or philosophical enlightenment when we enter the theater during tech rehearsals. It’s always develops from a mixture of feeling the warmth of the stage lights, hearing the fullness of the music filling the theater and imagining the audience watching your every move. However, this year I haven’t felt that yet. At first it worried me just because it is something I’m used to feeling every year. But I realized I might have reached a new kind of awareness or you could say spiritual fulfillment from the Orchesis process. I’ve come to appreciate a lot more of the process and preparation for the show rather then the actual event of the show. Of course I love performing and have found no other activity or “drug” that gives me the same rush but instead of dreading all the tedious theater and blocking rehearsals, I’ve come to embrace them and really enjoy what we’re doing and working for. Maybe Diana has planted a seed within me when she told us that a very small percentage of our time is spent in the theater performing (maybe 5-10%) while the other 90-95% is spent preparing for it. I still have my rough days were tediousness wears away at my patience but we all do. However, what represents us on the stage I feel is only a fraction of our talent and artistry. Beginning with several voices coming from our directors, production manager, student and guest choreographers and all dancers, somehow all these ideas come together like puzzle pieces to create one production. Some of my most vivid memories are just watching the dancers in class that dance with their souls not just a flexible young body. We also develop a certain Orchesis “culture” that makes us a family you could say. Although it stems from less intellectual conversations of female reproductive organs, MTV reality television and “single” ladies we are all still connected by the fact we are articulate and gifted Cal Poly students with goals and aspirations in life. (Being able to balance a full-time school load, anywhere between 9-20 hours of rehearsal a week, and possibly a job is not a schedule every college student can handle) Plus, we all need a little silliness in our day! I wanted to arrive at a central point to conclude this but I think that may very well be my point. Orchesis not only gathers very talented and skilled dancers but also talented and skilled artists, architects, wedding planners, teachers, scientists, designers and engineers. There is so much more to our group and to our show that our audience doesn’t get the opportunity to see and experience. And I think that’s what I’ve enjoyed the most this year. From learning African inspired dance moves in SF to celebrating birthdays with delicious treats after class, from long intensive weekends with guest choreographers to hybrid drawings on the dance studio chalk board and from watching pieces develop throughout the quarter to witnessing the refined but not always finished product on the Spanos Theater stage, these episodes comprise my spiritual enlightenment that I have been experiencing since auditions. To all the Orchesis dancers, thank you for all the memories and sharing your art. To Diana thank you so much for all the wisdom and love for the art, I’ve truly reached a new understanding of dance and its form because of your words.

Opening night in less than a week.....let’s not only do this but enjoy it!

Photo: Sara Tollefson

Lisa Delanty

This past week I have been thinking a lot about how much dance really means to me. In particular, being on stage has brought back that feeling of pure joy and excitement to share my feelings with others. The six dances I am in allow me to portray different emotions and situations that I go through in everyday life: happy, sad, serious, silly, intimidating, joyful, flirtatious, and the list goes on and on. Also, this week I have focused my energy on enjoying every moment I have on stage. It seems that we constantly work so hard for so long on various dances, and before we know it, it will be the last performance! I find rehearsals to be so tedious and that I wish I could just receive instant gratification. However, performing on stage makes every hour of practice worthwhile! Every aspect about performance gets me so excited! The lights, costuming, makeup, the audience, and all the butterflies and nerves! I love that we can all come together and create an amazing show! I absolutely can't wait until opening night!

Student Choreographer Bios

Rachel Saalsaa is a third year Social Science major and Dance minor. She has been dancing since she could move, but officially has trained in ballet, jazz, hip hop, and contemporary for 16 years. She attended Salt Lake Dance Center and also spent a year living and dancing in L.A. with amazing teachers and professionals. This will be her third year with Orchesis and her first time choreographing.

This is Meghan Hudson’s last year at Cal Poly and with Orchesis. She is finishing up her degree in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Administration with a minor in Dance. This is her second year choreographing for Orchesis. She would like to thank her family for supporting her passion for dance and her fiancé for encouraging her through countless hours of rehearsals and many sore days.

McKenna Friend hails from the tiny farm town of Pixley, California but has always loved the “big city” style of dance. She has worked with various artists including the legendary Henry LeTang as well as with the Russian Festival Ballet. She received the majority of her classic training from the Sierra Performing Arts Center and performed for a decade with the Pallas and Company Dancers. This is her third year in Orchesis and her second choreographic experience with the company. McKenna would like to thank her family for all that they've sacrificed in order for her to follow her bliss and sends love to Colorado.

Jessica Thoma is a 5th year Architecture student, striving to keep her passion in dance very much alive. Being both a choreographer and designer helps bring aspects of creativity to her schoolwork and to dancing. She feels these are each similar challenges in their own fun ways. In the past she has choreographed for Orchesis and for her studio where she started dancing 18 years ago. She has enjoyed her last 3 years in Orchesis and looks forward to choreographing and dancing for the company again but focuses on the tasks at hand, including being this year’s Vice President.

Heidi-Marie Vigario began her dance training in Elk Grove, CA. She started with ballet and grew to enjoy other styles as well. Upon graduation from high school, she moved to San Luis Obispo to attend Cal Poly. Heidi continued her dance training at Cal Poly taking modern, jazz, and advanced ballet classes. This is Heidi's third year in the company and second time choreographing for an Orchesis concert. She graduated in June with her Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies and received a Multi-Subject Teaching Crendential in December. One day, Heidi wishes to combine her love of dance with teaching, and bring dance and creative movement into public schools.

Crystal Valdez is a 5th year Orchesis dance company member and is very thankful for all the once in a life time opportunities that Orchesis has offered. She has choreographed for 4 years on the company, exploring her interests in ethnic and modern dance forms and styles. She graduated from Cal Poly in Fall 2009 with her degree in biochemistry and currently waiting responses from graduate schools in hopes of one day becoming a chemistry professor.
Kathleen Helm, a fourth year Recreation Administration major and Dance minor, has been dancing since the age of three. She credits her training and experience to Momentum Dance Center, located in Yorba Linda, California, and Lois Ellyn Ballet School, in Fullerton, California. Some highlights of her dance career include teaching ballet and jazz at Momentum Dance Center, performing as a member of the Nouveau Chamber Ballet, being captain of the El Dorado High School dance team, and competing throughout Southern California. Kathleen has choreographed various pieces at Cal Poly, including “In the Kingdom of Enticement” and “REM Cycle”. She is currently the president of the Orchesis Dance Company and had the honor of directing “Multiple Exposures”, the 2008 Cal Poly Spring Dance Concert

Alexandra Thomsen-Wolfe is living the dream life here in San Luis Obispo with her husband, Brandon, and dogs, Maggie Mae and Sam. She couldn't ask for anything more!

Rebecca Jensen is a fourth year business student with a concentration in marketing management. After returning home from a year abroad in London, England, she is happy to be back with her Orchesis family. Rebecca grew up in Carmel, California and began dancing 9 years ago at the Carmel Ballet Academy. Raised a competition dancer, she was required to explore various dance styles at an early age, including jazz, ballet, hip-hop, tap, commercial and modern. She is most fond of the contemporary jazz style. Although Rebecca has choreography experience, this will be her first time choreographing for Orchesis Dance Company. While this is her last year at Cal Poly, she is sure that this will not be her last year dancing.

Darren Bridges first started dancing 5 years ago for his High School Dance Company where he learned his basics of dance and explored many various dance styles. He later joined Broadway Academy Dance Company and NCDC Contemporary/Modern Dance Company. Always striving for new experiences, he auditioned for and was accepted to the Alvin Ailey School of Dance Summer Intensive and also had the opportunity to dance with the Limon Modern Dance Company at the Mondavi Center. Hoping to always do better and take his training to the next level, he has now dedicated 2 years of his college career to Orchesis Dance Company and hopes to learn many new things in the years to come. He hopes to inspire others to dance because there is no other feeling like it.

Heidi-Marie Vigario

Yesterday was the first rehearsal in the theater for my piece in the show. The night before, I had a dream that no one could remember my dance! Not a good way to wake up; especially when your first rehearsal in the theater is also your only rehearsal in the theater. But rehearsal went wonderfully! It was great to see my piece onstage.

Being in the theater has me thinking about the differences from last year to this year in regards to my choreographic journeys. Last year was my first year choreographing for Orchesis, and I was nervous and anxious the entire time. I put so much time and effort into choreographing during the school year. This year I actually started choreographing over the summer, months before Orchesis auditions. I didn’t have any music, but I had ideas about what I wanted my dance to be. It was weird to me that I could be creating some serious chunks of movement without any music. This is definitely not the way I usually choreograph. Once I had my music and dancers set, my dance kind of just came together. The ease of this year’s process almost has had me nervous because of the lack of nerves!

So, here we are: blocking rehearsals in the theater, lighting on Saturday, and dress rehearsals next week. Some of us are tired from tons of rehearsals, others happy to be in the theater, and a few starting to get cranky from being around each other 24/7, but this is an exciting time in Orchesis, WE ARE IN THE THEATER! In two weeks, the empty seats will be filled and the curtain will be going up. How crazy is that??? After seeing Momix last week, I hope that I can emulate the talent, professionalism, and fun that I saw when the Momix dancers were onstage. I am so excited to be in the theater, 2 weeks away from opening night. Merde Orchesis dancers! Let’s have another great set of shows!

Photo: Prem Ananda