Beloit Dancers with Russian dancer/hosts at the international dance festival in Moscow.
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Moscow
Twelve Beloit students, dance faculty and Russian professor, Donna Oliver traveled to Moscow, Russia to participate in an international dance festival in June 2004.

Under the direction of Prof.s Chris Johnson and Margaret Rennerfeldt, the dancers won the Laureate Grand Prix – the top prize-at the seventh annual “Festival of Choreographic Collectives,” and international youth dance festival in Moscow, Russia, in June 2004. Professor Johnson was also recognized with a special citation for “examining universal human events in defense of Peace, in defense of our future“ for Wreath of Memories, a dance she choreographed about children in a Nazi Ghetto during the Holocaust. The dance was originally performed in the Chelonia Dance Concert 2002, but it has received encore performances in Russia and in Washington, D.C. by special invitation at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in the Meyerhoff Theater.

In addition to performing Wreath of Memories, the Beloit students and faculty also presented two short dances, Where or When by Johnson and Barbara Allen by Rennerfeldt.

Professor Rennerfeldt also taught classes and choreographed a work to be performed by the hosting dance company, Rennaissance Folk Dance Ensemble directed by Irina and Alexander Sokolov.

Professor of Modern Languages Donna Oliver translated the work, organized the trip and served as a guide and translator for the group of students and faculty. The trip was a result of a previous visit by Johnson, Oliver and Rennerfeldt to Moscow during which they were working to establish arts education opportunities for Beloit students who study abroad in Moscow.

Photos from Moscow:

Grand Prix award ceremony. Pictured from left to right: Larissa Thomas, Cameron Growden, Margaret Rennerfeldt, Chris Johnson

Barbara Allen perfomed at the Pushkin Museum in Moscow
Wreath of Memories
Where or When
Barbara Allen

 

Related Links:
Beloit Magazine article: "Dancers Win International Competition"

Beloit Magazine article: "Dance Troupe Takes Top Prize in Moscow Festival"

Beloit Magazine article on 2002 performance: Wreath Of Memories

Beloit College Russian Program

Beloit College Russian Study Abroad Program