Philadelphia based Music & Motion Dance has been chosen to perform at Pennsylvania Arts in Education Day at the State Capitol Building in Harrisburg on April 1, 2009. The day celebrates the outstanding artistic achievements made by students and teachers in Pennsylvania schools.

2009 Arts in Education Day at the State Capitol is sponsored by Pennsylvania Speaker of the House Keith R. McCall; the Pennsylvania Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance; the Pennsylvania Art Education Association; the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts/Arts in Education (AIE) Partnership; the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts; the Pennsylvania Department of Education; the Pennsylvania Department of General Services; the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Arts, and the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association.

Music & Motion Dance will be presenting excerpts from their upcoming premiere of the 9 muses. This new dance work examines the concept of inspiration and is based on ancient Greek mythology, in which there were nine muses who ruled over the arts and sciences. Artistic Director, Steven Weisz goes on to add, “For dancers it is a sacred space, where you can find yourself again and again. A place where one can retreat, nourish the muse and ultimately find oneself. It is a playground that has the power to transport us and help us to resuscitate our imagination. Muses have the potential to inspire, motivate, uplift, create solace, fill us with joy and allow us to reveal ourselves in new and undiscovered ways. What they ultimately do is allow us to create.” To that end, each dancer in Music & Motion has sought their own muse in creating and choreographing the works to be presented. These vignettes offer a brief insight in to a range of feelings and emotions which drive the movement on stage and offer a glimpse of each dancer’s own muse.

Founded in 2000, Music & Motion is a fresh, innovative, performance-oriented, youth dance company. Rather than relying on a single dance style or technique, Music & Motion has developed its own unique movement for each new dance work created. The variety of eclectic styles incorporated into its’ programs include ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, modern, funk, hip hop and acrobatic styles.

Music & Motion Dance has performed throughout the tri-state area as well as internationally to a range of audiences in its short yet diverse history. With a deep commitment to group collaboration and exposing new audiences to dance and the performing arts, the company has won both critical acclaim as well as many new fans.

The collaborative effort of this group is rich in synergy, imagination, celebration and spirit. Audiences have responded with enthusiasm, finding themselves caught up in a world of exhilarating rhythm, movement and music created by this multi-talented group.

Music & Motion Dance fulfills the need of providing young dancers with performing experience in a nurturing environment with professional guidance, while continually exciting audiences wherever they perform.

2009 Cast Members

Emily Alexander
Breanna Dancy
Jennifer Durham
Jessica Lynn DiFrancesco
Brooke Fiorito
Stacey Folks
Melissa Hunt
Andrea Piovane
Tasha Saleh
Courtney Schiff
Morgan Woroniecki

More on the web at www.Music-And-Motion.com
Photos by Gabriel Bienczycki