Pioneer Valley Performing Arts' Catalyst Dancers to perform in Northampton - ACADEMY OF MUSIC

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By Kathryn Roy | Special to The Republican
on March 26, 2015 at 7:03 AM, updated March 26, 2015 at 7:07 AM

A group of talented students at Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School is preparing for its annual spring dance performance.

The Catalyst Dance Company, one of the three dance companies at the South Hadley school, will perform in three shows for the public on April 10 and 11 at The Academy of Music in Northampton.

Catalyst is a pre-professional dance troupe consisting of 21 student members, ages 13 to 18. Dancers perform a range of styles, including hip hop, jazz, ballet and contemporary.

Jennifer Polins, Artistic Director for the Catalyst Dance Company, said this performance, called “Document the Absence,” is a longstanding tradition.

“(The audience) will be seeing about 15 different pieces,” Polins said. “They superdrol are mostly choreographed by students, mentored by me, and some professional guests.”

Polins said there’s a bit of a German influence in this year’s show, as the professional choreographer being brought in hails from Germany.

“There’s also video projection that’s ambient – used as background and support for the dancers, which is created by a German videographer,” Polins said. “We have a choreographer on our faculty that did a house/hip hop piece. We also have a faculty member performing a duet. It’s really inspiring, family-friendly, high quality dance.”

In addition to two evening performances, there is a matinee performance called “Dance for Every Child.”

“It’s more of a showcase of PVPA’s dance department,” she said. “There are three dance companies right now at PVPA.”

Polins said the group of students in Catalyst comes from various backgrounds, making the company unique.

“There are a lot of incredible things about the company, but to me, it’s the diversity,” she said. “Most kids go to dance school in their local community with kids from their own community, and do certain types of dance. This group brings kids from different economic backgrounds and different towns – Springfield, Holyoke, Northampton. We’re mixing genre and style and strength.”

Polins said the company also encourages dancers’ personal growth.

“It’s a company that supports development of students’ choreography,” she said. “They’re not just taught to be dancers, but also to find their own artistic voice.”

The performance offers the community an opportunity to see future professionals in the dance world.

“This is our 17th year,” Polins said. “It’s been growing and producing artists that have gone out into the world as performers, choreographers and dance administrators.”

The dancers are excited to perform and hope the audience enjoys it.

“The kids would say they want people to feel touched, moved, different than when they walk in,”Polins said. “We’re hoping by showing this different range of approaches, concepts and ideas, we hope people walk away wanting to see more, and maybe wanting to dance themselves.”

“Document the Absence” is Friday, April 10 and Saturday, April 11 at 7 p.m. The “Dance for Every Child” matinee is Saturday, April 11 at 2 p.m. All shows are at The Academy of Music, 274 Main Street, Northampton. Advanced tickets are $12 for general audiences, $10 for seniors and military, and $6 for students and children under 12. Reservations can be made by calling 413-584-9032 x105 or by emailing [email protected].