Talented Pepperdine dancers dazzle the audience year after year. Dance in Flight will be held Jan. 31 through Feb. 2.
Dance in Flight returns to Pepperdine and celebrates its 20th year on campus this week. The show, which opens tonight, runs through Feb. 3 in Smothers Theatre.
While known for the artistry of its performances, the beauty of DIF goes far beyond the dancing. Since Pepperdine does not offer a dance major, DIF affords students the opportunity to reconnect with their passion and form relationships with other students through their dance. Although DIF is a student program, it has morphed into an inclusive dance company that has become one of Pepperdine’s most anticipated shows of the school year.
At the helm of the DIF program is founder and director Bill Szobody, who has become a beacon of light to the dancers he mentors. Assisting Szobody this semester is Alex Nicandros, his assistant director, who had her beginnings as a DIF student dancer.
“Bill [Szobody] and Alex [Nicandros] have gone above and beyond for this show,” said junior Haley Kiss. “I don’t think anyone has any idea what they are in for.”
The Pepperdine community eagerly awaits DIF every year because of the amazing performances, and so do the student performers. With auditions beginning in September and practices beginning soon after, the dancers of DIF understand hard work. But at the same time, the thrill of collaborating with a group of dancers and performing on stage makes it worth all the time and effort.
“I’m really looking forward to performing in front of an audience,” said sophomore Tyler Burke. “I can’t wait until our audience sees all the hard work. This company, led by our phenomenal directors, is ridiculously talented, and the work we all put in to produce this show is outstanding. Our hearts go into these dances, and we are all looking forward to sharing that love.”
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Follow Nikki Torriente on Twitter: @nikkitorriente
