April 22, 2005

Scarlett Wynne, Rachel Hellmuth, Tom Burnley, Sarah Carey, Andy Leatherman, and Meg Ferris.

The USA International Ballet Competition and VSA arts of Mississippi (formerly Very Special Arts of Mississippi), in collaboration with Belhaven College and the Methodist
Rehabilitation Center, proudly present Tunes, Tutus and Turning Wheels. The performance, featuring dancers who use wheelchairs and local dance artists, will take place on Friday, May 20, at 7:30 p.m. in the concert hall of the Belhaven Center for the Arts. The performance is open to the public. Admission is free; donations will be accepted at the door.

“During rehearsals, we have laughed and learned a lot about our own varied abilities and how to communicate together using the language of dance,” said Cynthia Newland, choreographer for the
project and chair of the Belhaven dance department. “We hope this concert will stir the soul and the imagination as varied artistic expressions are presented in the forms of music, fine art and dance.”

The event, made possible through funding from the Mississippi Paralysis Association and the central office of VSA arts, will feature recorded music created by artists with disabilities. Musicians
represented include Derek Mortland, a guitarist who survived a motorcycle accident, and Renee Bondi, a vocalist who uses a wheelchair. In addition, Erika Boyd will direct the Mississippi Girlchoir’s middle choir, Lyrica, in a live performance at the event. Local singer/songwriter Doug Eltzroth will also perform live.

“We have really enjoyed collaborating with other community organizations on this project,” said Sue Lobrano, executive director of the USA IBC. “It’s been wonderful to bring so many different
groups together, and everyone involved has made worthy contributions to the evening’s program. We’re thrilled to be a part of it.”

The evening’s performance will feature “Prepositional Phrase,” a dance that visually interprets commonly-used prepositions while displaying a playful interaction of those with and without disabilities.
The dancers will also perform a piece titled “Sanctus,” which interweaves themes of unity, religion and peace.

“Many people are denied the right to express themselves through dance because of a physical disability,” said V.A. Patterson, executive director of VSA arts of Mississippi. “We are so pleased to
be a part of this project, which is giving people who use wheelchairs the opportunity to perform and to promote disability awareness to audiences across the state.”

Performers include Belhaven students Amy Dick, a junior dance major from Winchester, Va.; Sarah Carey, a freshman dance major from Rochester, New York; Meg Ferris, a senior dance major
from Nashville, Tenn.; Andy Leatherman, a sophomore dance major from Dallas, Texas; and Rachael Hellmuth, a sophomore dance major from Longview, Texas. Scarlett Wynne, a Jackson-area high
school student; Tom Burnley of Madison; Sheila Burnham of Madison; and Randy Lavender of Tupelo will also perform.

“I’ve really enjoyed the experimental creative process we’ve used in rehearsals,” said Amy Dick. “We’ve tried to explore what’s possible given our different abilities, and we’ve been able to meet
people that we wouldn’t have met otherwise. We’ve been given a glimpse into their world and seen ways that we can grow that we might not have ordinarily thought of.”

“It’s been great working with all of these bright young people,” said Burnley, one of the wheelchair dancers performing at the event. “Since my spinal cord injury, I’m always thinking of reasons to be thankful, and my involvement in this is something I’m very thankful for. It’s been very enlightening and a lot of fun. It’s been good for the spirit.”

For more information about the event, contact the USA IBC at 601-355-9853.