In dance, there are many different genres. There is classical ballet, jazz, hip-hop, tap, and today’s newest sensation, modern. From “Dirty Dancing” to “Center Stage,” anyone can view and experience these types of dances easily. The Texas A&M International University and Laredo community didn’t even have to travel to the closest Red Box, as the Houston Metropolitan Dance Company took the stage for a local presentation on March 11.
TAMIU’s Gear Up Program teamed up with the dance department to bring this contemporary dance company to take center stage. Bede Leyendecker, chair of the Department of Fine and Performing Arts, was on hand at the event, giving her thanks to the Houston Metropolitan Dance Company.
The title of the show was “The Met Unbound” and it was a stunning display of talent, featuring five original pieces from the company. Each piece was equipped with original music and unique choreography. The Houston Metropolitan Dance Company displayed their “artful blend of athletic and technically virtuosic mixes of ballet, jazz, modern and contemporary dance,” as promised in the press release. They brought their own genre of dance to TAMIU and allowed all attendees of their presentation to witness their creative spirit.
“I actually heard about it from my [modern dance] professor… and she said it would be a very nice experience,” confessed Sarah Gomez, TAMIU freshman dance student. “[The performers] inspired a lot of people and showed that dancing can be really fun.”
The Houston Metropolitan Dance Company was also on hand to offer master classes to any and all TAMIU students interested in learning dance techniques from the same dancers of the company.
Gomez, who also attended the master class, learned a lot from the dancers. “They had already prepped us and told us it was going to be really hard,” said Gomez, explaining, the experience of the dancers was something that intimidated her. “It was like a wakeup call for anyone who wants to aspire to do anything professional in dancing,” adds Gomez.
Overall, a huge portion of the TAMIU community was able to experience this different and contemporary display of art. “The Met Unbound “gathered most of the TAMIU administration, including president Dr. Ray Keck and provost Dr. Pablo Arenaz. Together, with TAMIU faculty and students, and several members of the Laredo community, they experienced an unbound experience.
(Alyson Martinez may be reached at alyson1007@dusty.tamiu.edu)
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