ARTS
APRIL 23, 2015
EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION 5
On The Scene ‘Bye Bye Birdie’ by El Camino Theatre Department
El Camino’s Sadie Black showcased her number called “Edge at the Night of Resident Artists” at the Marsee Auditorium on Saturday night.
Jorge Villa/ Union
‘Night of Resident Artists’ feature faculty work Ryan Decker Staff Writer @ECCUnionDecker
The performers sprinted into the center of the stage, their arms cradling what appeared to be dozens of shoes apiece. Each participant scattered the shoes in every direction until the floor was littered with boots, sneakers, and high heels. The group then broke out into a game of “Simon Says.” “Night of Resident Artists” featured performances choreographed and danced by EC professors Michelle Funderburk, Hiroshi Hamanishi, Jamie Carbetta Hammond and Jennifer La Curan on Saturday at Marsee Auditorium. The master of ceremonies was EC professor Daniel Berney. Hamanishi’s pieces included dances to music ranging from Foo Fighters’ rock anthem “Everlong” to the ‘30s hits “Tuxedo Junction” and “Fine and Dandy.” Hamanishi and dancer AJ Moore performed a synchronized tap tribute to the late tap dancer Bob Carroll, who passed away last year. La Curan also showcased her versatility by performing her eerie dance “Shadows From Within” as well as her more whimsical pieces “Thoroughfare” and “Le Train Bleu.” The creation of the piece “was probably about a year and a half process in the studio before it actually was ever performed,” La Curan said regarding the process of creating “Shadows from Within.”
Two of the most powerful performances were choreographed by Funderburk. The dance to a musical rendition of Maya Angelou’s poem “Still I Rise,” which Funderburk titled “Rise,” alternated grace with strength in the movements of dancers. Funderburk also choreographed a four-part piece titled “Grounded.” The juxtaposition of African tribal music, orchestral instruments, rock music and synthetic sounds along with the subtle changing of the background added complexity to the storyline. The most elaborate performance of the night was the final act, “Edge,” presented by Hammond. The power ballet told the story of a woman struggling with indecision on who to love as well as the struggle between multiple men to be the one for her. The variety in the pieces presented at the “Night of Resident Artists” helped everyone work toward their goal of entertaining and enriching “I really don’t go to these types of concerts but it was really amazing to see them perform,” Ingrid Camales, 20, biology major, said, “There were a few pieces that almost made me cry.” Jorge Villa/ Union While some students enjoyed the concert, others left confused El Camino’s dance performers showcased about the meanings of the works. their number called “Rise at the Night of “For me, I just cannot understand some (of the) dance pieces,” Resident Artists” that included a variety of Snow Park, 23, psychology major, admitted. dance acts at the Marsee auditorium on Saturday night.
Take your education beyond the classroom.
EC remembers talented music professor
The El Camino Theatre Department is putting on a performance of the classic musical “Bye Bye Birdie” on tomorrow at 8 p.m. in Marsee Auditorium. The play tells the story of Conrad Birdie, a popular singer who arrives in Sweet Apple, Ohio, where he is to give one of his fans a kiss before he joins the army. The tickets are $25 for adults and $18 for children 12 and under. For more information call 1-800-THE-ARTS.
Piano Performance by Polli Chambers-Salzaar and Christopher Brennen Pianists, Polli ChambersSalazar and Christopher Brennan will be performing in a duet concert on Saturday at 8 p.m. in Marsee Auditorium. Some of the pieces featured in their performance include “Dolly Suite,” Op. 56 by Fauré, “Blue Horizon” by Brennan and Piazzolla’s “Tangos for Two Pianos.” Tickets are $15 and may be purchased online, by phone, or at the ticket office. For more information call 1-800-THE-ARTS.
The Concert Band at El Camino, Directed by Dane Teter
Aryn Hicks Staff Writer @ECCUnionAryn
Your university education shouldn’t be confined by classroom walls. At CSUDH, you’ll have the opportunity to learn in the lab, in the field and alongside outstanding faculty who see your potential. And who mentor your success. What will you find @CSUDH? CSUDH.EDU/FutureStudents
Learn about the El Camino College and CSUDH Pathways to Success Enrollment Partnership and view upcoming visit dates at CSUDH.EDU/CCPartnershipsVisits.
HandsOnLearning@CSUDH
facebook.com/csudh twitter.com/dominguezhills
CSU Dominguez Hills | (310) 243-3422 | 1000 E. Victoria Street | Carson, CA 90747
El Camino College students and faculty share their memories of dedicated music professor, Chris Mello, who died from cancer June, 19, 2014. As the director of the guitar program and the jazz studies program, Mello contributed his talents as a musician and scholar to the campus. His passion for teaching and his dedication to his students and his craft inspired many of his students to pursue music. “He was the one who actually motivated me to be a music major. He was really pushing me hard every night in rehearsal and making me work as hard as I could. It just made me realize this was something I wanted to do and I enjoyed working hard for this,” Tyler Johnson,21, music major, said. Described as passionate and dedicated, Mello demanded excellence from his students. “Guitar was his religion. It was his instrument so his standards were much higher. He was always pushing his students to really excel,” Professor William Doyle said. “He wanted you to push so that when you were out in the real world you would be able to handle what was out there,” Jon Menei, music professor said. “He never really settled, from every student that came to him he expected that they were capable of a professional level of effort.” Some of Mello’s accomplishments at El Camino included the implication of the Student Learning Outcomes (SLO), the redirection of the Jazz Band and the applied program, and his annual guitar festival that is now in his name. In order to celebrate his life and love of music, the recent Dr. Chris
The Concert Band at El Camino, led by Director Dane Teter, will be performing on Sunday at 3 p.m. in Marsee Auditorium. Tickets for the event are $10 and can be purchased online, by phone, or at the ticket office. For more information call 1-800-THE-ARTS.
Courtesy of the Fine Arts Department
Mello Jazz Festival was performed in remembrance of Mello. The event featured a professional jazz ensemble that included worldclass musicians who performed on Chris’s last album, “Global Village.” The festival brought students from other schools together to come together to preform and participate in workshops and meet people. “For being here for a short amount of time he already got a jazz festival named after him,” Doyle said. “You can’t talk about the student learning outcomes without mentioning (Chris) or that we were taken off probation without talking about Chris Mello,” Mello leaves behind legacy, hard work, tough love, and most importantly, music. “I think one of the things that Chris had was just an unbelievable desire to not only excel on his instrument but to inspire other people to excel in music,” Doyle said. The El Camino College photography department’s annual exhibit, “Truth and Beauty,” on display until April 30, is on display in memory and honor of Mello.
The Concert Choir/Mixed Chorus, Directed by Joanna Nachef The Concert Choir/Mixed Chorus, led by Director Joanna Nachef with pianist, Kenner Bailey, will perform on May 3 at 8 p.m. in Marsee Auditorium. Tickets for the event are $10 and can be purchased online, by phone, or at the ticket office. For more information call 1-800-THE-ARTS.
The Jazz Two Big Band The Jazz Two Big Band, led by Director David Sills, will be performing on May 4 at 8 p.m. in the Robert Haag Recital Hall. Tickets for the event are $10 and can be purchased online, by phone, or at the ticket office. For more information call 1-800-THE-ARTS.