Published: August 10, 2006 09:14 pm      

Local dancer leaps into contemporary festival

EDMOND — An Oklahoma City dance company is sponsoring the first Oklahoma Contemporary Dance Festival this weekend, and one talented Edmond teenager is taking part.

Taylor Munholland, a junior at Edmond North High School, will perform in two numbers, an African-style trio and a group interpretive dance. Although it’s an honor for a high school student to be selected for the festival, Munholland, who’s been dancing for 14 years, takes it all in stride.

The young dancer met up with Michelle Dexter, artistic director of Perpetual Motion/Modern Dance Oklahoma, at a University of Oklahoma dance camp earlier this year. With Dexter’s encouragement, Munholland took part in one of several statewide auditions.

She said she’s looking forward to the weekend’s performances, but she’s not nervous.

“The festival will show people who come to watch that there’s more to dance than just jazz, ballet and tap,” she said.

“I want people to learn that dancers have to show what they really feel inside them to make the dance.”

Munholland said she isn’t sure of her future plans, but probably will attend the University of Central Oklahoma with a double major in dance and art. She already has performed with the Tulsa Ballet and the Lawton Ballet and at a number of dance studios.

She’s busy at school, too, as a National Honor Society member and a member of the varsity pom squad.

“Dance really brings out the person within you and helps you realize who you are,” she said. “It’s very athletic, and most people don’t realize that.”

The Contemporary Dance Festival is sponsored by Perpetual Motion/Modern Dance Oklahoma Inc. tonight and Saturday evening, featuring leading modern dance companies from Oklahoma and Texas.

All four founding members of Perpetual Motion/Modern Dance Oklahoma — Michelle Dexter, Nichelle Burg, Courtney Houts and Amy Nevius — are graduates of UCO’s dance program.

Established in 2002 by local dancers, Perpetual Motion is a company-based organization that offers several performance opportunities and educational programs across Oklahoma each year.

The company’s dance education program includes elementary school tours, elementary and secondary school residencies, master classes and a company apprentice program.

Festival performances will include a variety of dance styles, including three new aerial works using low-hanging trapezes or hanging fabric.

“The festival will inspire the young dancers to embrace their abilities, create their own works and eventually become a part of Oklahoma City’s emerging professional dance community,” Dexter said.

(Alice Collinsworth may be reached via e-mail at acollinsworth@edmondsun.com.)