A&M International Holds Free Dance Concert Friday, April 16

Texas A&M International University's Dance Performance Troupe and Flamenco Troupe will be among the featured performers for A&M International's 1999 Spring Dance Concert Friday, April 16 at 8 p.m. in the Kinesiology/Convocation Building.

Admission is free and the public is cordially invited to attend.

The concert, which is under the artistic direction of Bede Leyendecker, assistant professor of dance at A&M International, will also feature the talents of guest performers Roberto Cruz II, a respected guitarist, and dance students from the Vidal M. Treviño Magnet School.

Cruz will perform two selections on guitar, "Thoughts in D/Alone," which he composed, and "Alegrias."

The A&M International's Dance Performance Troupe and Flamenco Troupe will perform "Viva Mexico!" "La Boda de Luis Alonzo," "Primal Instinct," "Big Band Boogie," "Sentimental Suite," and "Alegrias," all choreographed by Leyendecker; and "Volare" choreographed by California based professional Linda Vega.

Featured A&M International dancers will include Selina Alford, Adriana Arce, Dora Benavides, Lilia Bruni, Gladys Cardenas, Rosie Escobedo, Veronica Garza, Lisa Gonzalez, Esmeralda Guajardo, Mamie Gutierrez, Bekki Jadin, Amal Laaola, Bede Leyendecker, Mary Joe Lopez, Veronica Lugo, Samuel Montezco, Nadia Plasencia, Rose Rabin, Lindsey Rendon, Jessica Ramon, Laura Rodriguez, Sylvia Rodriguez, Diana Sanchez, and Brissa Vela.

Selections to be performed by the Vidal M. Treviño Magnet School Dancers include "42nd Street," "Hands," "Dance Above the Rainbow," choreographed by Cheryl Kirkpatrick of the Treviño Magnet School.

Featured Magnet School Dancers will include Sandra Aguilar, Claudia Alcala, Elizabeth Garcia, Lily Garcia, Christina Gonzalez, Denise Gonzalez, Carla Granados, Erika Gutierrez, Theresa Guevara, Cassandra Lozano, Karla Martinez, Alejandra Mata, Jessica Melendez, Amahet Peña, Jackie Reyes, Alicia Rios, Brenda Rodriguez, Lorena Rodriguez, Christine Saucedo, Valerie Treviño, Kristie Valdez, Alejandra Vasquez, Annie Vera and Isabel Zamarripa.

The finale, "Fantasia" choreographed by Leyendecker, will feature the entire cast of this evening's program.

The program will also include a special presentation of the First Annual Terpsichorean Award, an honor bestowed to a loyal supporter of the arts, and the first A&M International recipient of the Blanche Flores Leyendecker Scholarship. Mrs. Leyendecker was a pioneer dance teacher in Laredo whose untimely death was felt by the many students and friends she touched with her art and kindness. The scholarship is given in her memory by her husband, Richard A. Leyendecker and sons, Richard, Gary, Paul and Mark.

Master of Ceremonies will be Dr. Ray M. Keck, Provost and Vice-President for Academic Affairs.

For more information on A&M International's 1999 Spring Dance Concert April 16, please call Bede Leyendecker at 326-2640. University office hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu