March 6, 2024
Page 7
Arts &
ENTERTAINMENT
A Fun Introduction
to Classical Music
photo courtesy of PYP facebook page.
Featuring PYP’s
Portland Youth
String Ensemble
Jefferson Dancers 2023 - 2024
A Triumphant Display
of Talent and Creativity
Senior
Dancers Earns
Prestigious
Recognition
In a triumphant display of
talent and creativity, a senior
member of the Jefferson Danc-
ers at North Portland's Jeffer-
son High School has clinched
top honors at the Regional High
School Dance Festival. Finn
Chisholm, a dedicated mem-
ber of the renowned pre-pro-
fessional dance company, se-
cured the highest accolade for
his outstanding choreography
piece titled "Peaks and Valleys"
at the event held from February
16 to 18 at the Arts and Com-
munication Magnet Academy.
Chisholm's
choreographic
creativity shone brightly as his
piece unanimously impressed
the panel of esteemed judges,
comprising dance professors
from prestigious universities and
seasoned dance professionals.
Out of 13 submissions from
regional high school dance pro-
grams, Chisholm's "Peaks and
Valleys" was selected as one of
the performances for final adjudi-
cation in the Outstanding Student
Choreography Showcase. This
achievement marks the fourth
consecutive year a Jefferson
Dancer has seized the spotlight
in this category, underscoring the
company's consistent excellence.
Steve Gonzales, the Artistic
Director of Jefferson Dancers for
over 25 years, expressed his ad-
miration, stating, “Once again,
I’m so pleased with the hard
work and dedication the JDs
are putting forth. This has been
an unusually heavy scheduled
year of performances, school
work, new choreography, set-
backs from weather, unplanned
challenges, preparation for this
festival, our upcoming tour to
France, and the annual spring
concerts. Working with such
talented young artists over the
years is an honor. Their ability to
submerge themselves into their
work, reach into themselves,
and share their vulnerabilities in
their choreography is amazing.”
The National High School
Dance Festival, renowned as
the largest in the United States,
is a platform to celebrate the
pinnacle of high school dance
programming excellence since
1992. Three days of performanc-
es, master classes, and auditions
for prestigious college and sum-
mer-intensive scholarships.
Reflecting on his achievement,
Chisholm remarked. “Thank you
to this company and cast for al-
lowing me to set this piece em-
bracing both sentimental and
tender memories, the peaks and
valleys of life, and turn them into
such a beautiful piece of work.”
His award-winning piece, "Peaks
and Valleys," is slated to grace
the stage of Portland's New-
mark Theatre from April 18 to
20 as part of the Jefferson Danc-
ers' highly anticipated annual
spring performances.
The musicians of the Portland
Youth String Ensemble (PYSE)
and their conductor, Inés Voglar
Belgique present the annual Cush-
ion Concert - a 45-minute fam-
ily-friendly interactive musical
program that will have young ones
ages 2-8 smiling and clapping
along. Bring your cushions and
join the fun at Oaks Park Dance
Pavilion on Saturday, March 9,
2024, at 3:00 PM.
The performance is preceded
by an Instrument Petting Zoo at
2:00 PM, hosted by Kennedy Vi-
olins, when young ones can play
child-sized instruments of the
string family. This event’s gen-
erous media sponsor is the Inter-
national Children’s Arts Network
(ICAN Radio).
“My favorite thing about the
Cushion Concert is that the kids
can be free to enjoy the concert
without having to be still or quiet;
I love when they start to dance to
the music,” said PYSE conductor
Inés Voglar Belgique. “Our mu-
sicians get to play a wide variety
of repertoire by American com-
posers, including some from Port-
land, Oregon, like principal cellist
of the Oregon Symphony Nancy
Ives and Portland Youth Conser-
vatory Orchestra oboist, Alejan-
dro Belgique. We have a lot of fun
with it!”
The program includes a Q&A
with the musicians and conduc-
tor, instrument demonstrations,
and kid-focused music, including
scores from some of our favorite
movies, like John Williams’ Tril-
ogy (Star Wars, Jurassic Park, and
Raiders of the Lost Ark).
Bring your curious little ones
early to enjoy the Instrument Pet-
ting Zoo from 2:00 – 3:00 PM.
Including this hands-on activity
with the concert has helped to cu-
rate a love and appreciation for the
instruments of the string family in
young audience members.
"Our partnership with the
Portland Youth Philharmonic, es-
pecially through the 'instrument
petting zoo', has been a meaning-
ful part of Kennedy Violins' com-
munity involvement,” said Zach
Sears, Kennedy Violins Shop
Manager. “It's a unique opportuni-
ty to introduce young enthusiasts
to string instruments, sparking
early interest in music. This col-
laboration with PYP enriches our
commitment to music education
and the arts."
You’ll be amused from start to
finish at this relaxed and entertain-
ing concert. Grab your cushion,
snuggle in your blanket, and pre-
pare to be inspired by dedicated
young musicians.
Tickets $7 for students, $12
for seniors, and $15 for adults.
To learn more about the program,
ensemble, composers, and to pur-
chase tickets, visit portlandyouth-
phil.org/family; tickets may also
be purchased at the venue door.