Seniors to dance in June 5 recital

By Lynsi Musselman

The Albany Dance Theatre Company will present “Rise Up” for its 70th Annual Recital on Friday, June 5 at 7:30 p.m.

Because of continued restrictions and a smaller crowd size, the event will be held at the Whitney Theatre rather than at the high school auditorium as it usually is.

This year’s recital will be for senior dancers only. 

The seniors participating are Larson Garcia, Alayna Koemel, Julia Bowman, and Madelyn Connally.

The performance will be free, but only to a limited number of family and friends of senior dancers.

Albany Dance Theatre Company owner and choreographer Betsy Parsons said the performance will include the senior class dance, and each senior will have the opportunity to perform her solo dance.

“We are steeped in tradition, and it has been difficult to find a way for all the dancers to have memories of the end of the season,” Parsons said. “We always have a video of the recital but this year we will add a slide show of all the dancers, grouped by age, to give them as a memento. We will also print a full program listing all 135 plus participants in the dance company that we will give to the girls as a keepsake.”

Dance company codirector Malarie Sutton said the recital will at least allow the four seniors to finish their dance year.

“We are devastated with how the season has ended, but we are trying to make the best of this situation,” Sutton said. “The seniors are still missing out on performing their high school tap, ballet, and lyrical dances.” 

Sutton and Parsons said they look forward to next year with great anticipation.