The BYU International Folk Dance Ensemble went to Italy this summer to perform in both the Latium and Terranostra festivals. Before they left, they spoke on their preparation for the trip.
“Our International Folk Dance ensemble becomes the American Folk Dance ensemble as we go to Italy," said Jeanette Geslison, artistic director of the BYU International Folk Dance ensemble. "And we are back here together for three full days to review our dance and music material and rehearse to be ready for our pre-show showcase.”
Geslision also said the team was really excited to be back in rehearsals after winter semester.
Their repertoire included the Charleston, American clogging, the Lindy Hop, square dancing and more.
Some of the challenges in getting everything organized included choosing the material to share at the festivals, preparing it and teaching the dancers the choreography.
Student leader Brielle Comp said the hardest dance was their new clogging piece, called "Western Wildfire."
“It’s very, very fast, very quick footwork and just exhausting ... for the entire dance, but it is also extremely fun,” she said.
Third-year member and student leader Anthony Xanthos said he was excited for the opportunity to meet other dancers from other countries and share their dances.
“It’s kind of an international language," Xanthos said. "You don’t have to speak the same language to understand each other when you dance and that’s a pretty amazing experience.”
Geslision said that going to the festivals was the icing on the cake after all the ensemble's hard work.
“Being able to share all of this on stage and being able to have the experiences behind the stage with the other groups that are participating in the festival is definitely the highlight,” she said.