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Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s presentation of “DANCE BREAK: Fancy Footwork” on Wednesday, Jan. 28, was a collaboration between University Dance Company and Chamber Project Saint Louis. The vibrant stage show celebrated the powerful partnership between live music and dance.

Inviting audiences to “shake your tail feathers,” the evening offered a global journey through dance-infused music, blending classical traditions, contemporary voices, and cultural storytelling on a shared stage.

The University Dance Company, the concert dance ensemble of SIUE’s Department of Theater and Dance, joined professional chamber musicians for a night of invigorating performances. Featuring student artists performing a diverse repertory of contemporary and classical works, “Dance Break” explored how sound and movement interact, creating a multisensory experience rarely seen in traditional concerts.

The program opened with Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Allemande from Cello Suite No. 6 in D Major,” followed by Kenji Bunch’s modern response, “Allemande Pour Tout Le Monde.”

A centerpiece of the concert was Valerie Coleman’s “Shotgun Houses,” inspired by the early life of Muhammad Ali. Coleman, who grew up near Ali’s childhood home in West Louisville, Ky., crafted a musical portrait of community, resilience, and ambition. According to the producers, the piece traces Ali’s journey from neighborhood streets to Olympic gold, emphasizing his legendary “fancy footwork.” Rapid rhythms evoked speed-bag training, while tender passages honored Ali’s close bond with his mother. The final movement captured the intensity of his 1960 Rome Olympic match, complete with bell-like cues signaling victory.

Adding a rich international dimension, Aníbal Troilo’s “Responso,” arranged by Osvaldo Golijov, introduced classic Argentine tango to the program. Rooted in Buenos Aires traditions, the tango brought a smoky, nostalgic atmosphere to the stage, highlighting expressive footwork and emotional storytelling that reinforced the concert’s global theme.

Dmitri Shostakovich’s “Two Pieces for String Quartet (Elegy and Polka)” provided a contrasting emotional landscape, pairing quiet introspection with sharp satire drawn from his theatrical works.

Students responded enthusiastically to the collaboration.

SIUE junior Acacia Helton, majoring in theater design/technical, shared her appreciation for seeing both art forms united. She said, “It’s really fun to see both of them together on stage. Music is listening and dancing is visual—seeing them combined is something special.”

Kristin Best, Director of the University Dance Company and chair of the Department of Theater and Dance, emphasized the importance of performing alongside live musicians. “Usually we perform to recorded music, so working with live musicians is a unique challenge—and really exciting for us,” said Best.

She also highlighted the broader goal of the project, noting, “We really wanted an event that brought together live music and live dance… so that someone who loves music might discover dance, and vice versa.”

An evening of “DANCE BREAK: Fancy Footwork” received grant support from the Illinois Arts Council.

Photos by Howard Ash