Synthesis – Young Artist Showcase

Synthesis – Young Artist Showcase (December 13, 14, 15, Leona Wagner Black Box Theater at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center) is an electrifying dance event that celebrates the legacy of Ririe-Woodbury, and its visionary co-founders. Their profound influence has shaped countless dancers, inspiring them to become captivating performers and insightful instructors. Many former Company Dancers, and students of Joan Woodbury and Shirley Ririe, have evolved into esteemed dance educators, cultivating a spirited community of aspiring artists.

This eclectic performance brings together emerging young artists with dedicated dance educators. During Synthesis the stage will come alive with dynamic choreography, crafted by these esteemed teachers and performed by talented high school dance companies. The Company Dancers will also share their creations, born during Ririe-Woodbury’s High School Choreographic Residencies. In addition, an invigorating excerpt from Artistic Director Daniel Charon’s musically driven thriller, “Storm” (2011), will be performed by the Company Dancers. This exhilarating performance promises to propel our vibrant dance community toward a dynamic future, igniting a new era of creativity and innovation.

“Utah’s vibrant dance community is truly unique. Within this close-knit artistic circle, the legacy of dance educators holds a special place as an invaluable heritage that continually serves to inspire, lead, and support the creative pursuits of emerging young dancers. This lineage of Utah dance educators includes Shirley Ririe, Joan Woodbury, their former students who have become educators themselves, and the current generation of aspiring dancers and dance teachers. Through events like Synthesis, a collaborative and multi-generational celebration of dance, you can witness that the legacy of Ririe-Woodbury is not a relic of the past; it actively transforms and adjusts, remaining faithful to the Company co-founders’ dedication to nurturing the next generation of artists.” – Ai Fujii Nelson, Education Director

Through their shared dance lineage, boundless passion, and exquisite artistry, these performers embody the true essence of Synthesis.