SIUE East St. Louis Center for Performing Arts Returns to Stage In-Person for Spring Concert
After more than a year of an unprecedented pandemic, restrictions are lifting, boundaries are widening and spirits are soaring. It’s enough to make people break out in song, dance or both.
The turn of events added to the delight of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center (ESLC) for the Performing Arts After School program presenting its spring concert, which was held in-person at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 20 in the Multipurpose Room at the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus (ESLHEC).
The Performing Arts After School program features children ages 7-17 who study beginning piano, guitar, drums, bass guitar, West African drumming and multiple styles of dancing.
“We are so happy and proud of our students and their accomplishments,” said Performing Arts Program Director Homer Simmons to the audience of family and friends. “Having to deal with COVID put us all at a disadvantage. However, our students and instructors made the adjustments over the past year. Tonight, you will be able to see and hear the hard work and undeniable talents of our students.”
Students segued through the program of varying entertaining numbers under the direction of the following Performing Arts teachers: Gerald Babatunde Williams, African drum and dance choreographer; Mary Jo Pembrook, PhD, piano and chimes instructor; Ta’Shayla Montgomery, Dunham Technique, hip-hop and modern dance choreographer; and Esau Toombs, music and band instructor.
“You were able to see for yourselves tonight the love and commitment of our students and instructors have for the arts,” concluded Simmons at the close of the program. “We will continue this dedication and training in the summer months. I urge you to consider enrolling your child or children in our SIUE East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts 2021 Summer Enrichment Program.”
The summer session will be from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, June 7-July 16. To enroll, click on the register link.
The SIUE East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts has a long, rich history. The legendary dancer, anthropologist, and social activist Katherine Dunham founded the Center for Performing Arts at the SIUE East St. Louis Center in 1964. At its peak in the 1990s, the East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts provided year-round instruction to more than 1,000 youth and became a training ground for professional artists of all disciplines. For decades, the East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts provided performing arts classes to students and community members to develop local talent and to cultivate a love of the arts. Classes often culminated in musical and theatrical productions.
Photos:
Students in the SIUE East St. Louis Center (ESLC) for the Performing Arts After School program presented their spring concert on Thursday, May 20 at the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus.
Gysai Sylla (left) and Yasmin Coleman ended the night in song.
Mary Jo Pembrook, PhD, piano instructor, directs Chimes students in “Heart and Soul” assisted by SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook.