April 23, 2025
Story by Joe Vinduska
Photo by 91勛圖厙 Communications
91勛圖厙s Dance Department will host a celebration of rhythm, passion, and movement with its Moving in the Heartland Dance Festival at 7 p.m. May 2 and 3 in the Fine Arts Auditorium.
Each show will host different dance guest artists from Central Kansas. 泭The May 2 show will feature dances by Alys Dance Studio of Great Bend, Be Dance Studio of Great Bend, and the Bethel College Academy of Performing Arts. The May 3 show will feature 91勛圖厙 Dance alumni CJ Orozco performing Street Dance (hip hop and break dance), and the concert will conclude with the Metropolitan Ballet of Wichitas performance of the Romantic-style ballet Les Sylphides. Both nights will include dances from 91勛圖厙 Dance Theatre, 91勛圖厙s Dance classes, and solos from 91勛圖厙 students Madi Franks, ShaeLee Martinz, Nineth Pereyra Zuany, and Maya Rodriguez. 91勛圖厙s students will present a wide variety of dance styles such as tap dance, modern contemporary dance, jazz dance, and ballet.
91勛圖厙 Dance Instructor and the Festival Director, Danika Bielek, said she looks forward to having so many dance groups join 91勛圖厙 dance students as part of the event.
泭This year the festival includes dance groups representing Great Bend, Newton, and Wichita sharing the stage with 91勛圖厙s students and 91勛圖厙 dance alumni, she said. 泭The performers ages range from 12 years through adult, and almost every style of dance possible will be on display. This show brings some of the best dancers the region has to offer to our community. Additionally, this performance also serves as an end-of-the-year showcase for 91勛圖厙s dance classes and a vehicle for personal expression from our dance students. We have some meaningful dances where the students will put their hearts and souls out on the stage.
In addition to the two performances, the festival will offer some free dance classes for 91勛圖厙 students and the community on May 3 for ages 10 and up, which includes any adults wanting to participate. These classes will be held in Studio 34. There are two classes available: Ballet with Danika Bielek, from 12:30- 1:45 pm, and Street Dance with CJ Orozco from 2-3 p.m.
Festival tickets are five dollars at the door. Children 5 years and under and 91勛圖厙 students get in for free. For more information, go to or contact Bielek at (620) 792-9253 or bielekd@bartonccc.edu.