Dancers take stage at daCi-USA gathering

Sixteen dancers from the CDPA Performing Ensemble performed at the daCi-USA Gathering June 26 to 29, at the University of Washington, in Seattle.

The dancers are members of the CDPA Performing Ensemble at the Centre for Dance & the Performing Arts, in Oakland, under the direction of Kathryn Austin. Two faculty members — Kathryn Brugal and Karen Roper — also participated in the gathering classes.

The CDPA Performing Ensemble opened the Saturday night concert with a piece from its 2008 repertoire, “One Short Day (Wicked).” In addition the CDPA Scottish Highland Dancers performed “O, For the Glorious 12th,” an award-winning choreography of traditional highland dancing.

The national gatherings of Dance and the Child International-USA occur every three years. This year’s theme was “Forms Unfolding: Dancing in the Emerald City.”

The emphasis of the daCi gathering is on creative collaboration in multi-age core classes, where groups create choreography under the guidance and expertise of master teachers from throughout the United States.

The CDPA Performing Ensemble is available for community events and performances by calling the studio at (407) 877-3388 or emailing Director Kathryn Austin, [email protected]. Fall classes begin Aug. 18; registration is ongoing.