By CATHERINE ELLERTON
Moapa Valley Progress
The MV Performing Arts Council began its 2015-2016 Season with a promise of things to come. Jana Holmes and Lynda Dimick brought together local talent which exemplified the universal power of music in a special community talent show held Monday, Sept. 21 in the Ron Dalley Theatre.
As the audience entered the auditorium, they had the opportunity to view the work of local artists Jackie Worthen and Marya Romero in the foyer as presented by the MV Art Guild.
Logandale resident Bryce Hardy acted as Master of Ceremony for the talent show, as he introduced each act and provided a bit of history.
The Council’s 2015 “Recognition of Talent” award was presented to Walter White, an exemplary violinist/singer who is currently teaching at the Mack Lyon Middle School. His career spans from Texas to Massachusetts to the Army Reserve to Clark County School District and encompasses the classical world of music as well as Country Western. White, accompanied by Gaye Nelson, presented a dynamic violin solo of “Fiddler on the Roof” as arranged by John Williams.
Another violinist on the program was Samantha Conk who skillfully played Edmund Severen’s “Polish Dance.”
The world of music was explored through dance by the MV Pirate Motion Team who joined the Goldenettes in a charming interpretation of Buble’s “Come Dance With Me.” Following this dance, young Ivan Parra rushed on stage and asked Pirate Motion dancer Rachle Lee to accompany him to the Homecoming Dance.
A clogging routine of Jackson 5’s “The Love You Save” by Corinne & Austrie Messer continued the exploration of music through dancing. St. John’s Folklorico’s Moms and Young Girls dancers captured the universality of music through their presentation of traditional Spanish dancing: “Amor De Mis Amores” and “Vaquerita De MiVida.”
Taking dancing to another level, a tumbling routine by young gymnasts Missy Whipple and Victoria Herring to “Rock Around the Clock” was well appreciated by the audience.
Continuing to explore the many avenues of music, Terry Conk presented a guitar solo of “Sailing” by Christopher Cross. Conk, who is the father of violinist Samantha Conk, also plays the banjo and mandolin.
The trials, tribulations, joy, love and beauty of life is explored through words set to music and brought to light by the singer. This evening, Cheyenne Harris, a senior at MVHS, sang an interesting song called “Burning House.” Another father/daughter musical group was Rick Houston and Alicia Silva who presented vocal/ guitar and harmonica duets of “Heart of Gold” and “Lights.”
The Zephyr Singers took a moment from preparing for their winter concert to bring an American folk hymn, “Down To The Water” to the evening’s tribute to the variety found in music. This group displayed their versatility, unique sound and vocal capabilities in this acapella arrangement by Larry Harris.
The final instrument in this evening’s performance was the piano. Young Ashlee James presented a sensitive rendition of Edward MacDowell’s “To A Wild Rose.” Joining together, Sandy Cameron and Connie Whitney demonstrated the strength of music when combined with knowledge and friendship as they presented a unique arrangement by Jay Lewis Merkur of Youmans’ “Tea For Two.”
Ending the evening, Aubrey Aikele presented a dynamic interpretation of Mendelssohn’s “Concerto in D Minor, Movement #1.” She was accompanied by Marquessa Aikele. The two ladies brought together all the nuances that are possible through music and ended the evening on an exhilarating high note.
These productions are sponsored by MVPAC, Individual Partners for the Arts which include Nevada Arts Council, Moapa Valley Telephone Company, Clark County Board of County Commissioners, America First Credit Union, Dr. Lance Robertson, Grant and Laurel Bushman and individual patrons and sponsors.
