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Music for the Utah Ballet usually springs from a shiny CD. But for next weekend's spring concert, the University of Utah dancers will get a chance to perform to live orchestra music.
The Utah Philharmonia, a student ensemble, will join dance colleagues to perform a suite from Igor Stravinsky's "The Firebird."
"Many of the dancers have not worked with a full orchestra before," said Maureen Laird, professor of ballet and artistic director of the concert. "We've been helping them with the transitions and what to do with tempo changes, but dancers are very adaptable."
It's a thrilling, nerve-racking opportunity, said Kayley Winfield, who will dance the title role. "I'm excited to see what it's like, because sometimes the pacing can change and a lot of other facets can influence [the music]," she said.
The experience is just as valuable for the musicians, many of whom will be accompanying dancers for the first time, said Robert Baldwin, director of the orchestra and interim director of the U.'s school of music.
"There are subtle aspects of timing, tempo and melodic inflection that the dancers have to hear in a certain way, and that the musicians might do differently if it were strictly a concert piece," Baldwin said.
And while orchestras around the world have been performing Stravinsky's score for decades, Baldwin says it's important to remember that "The Firebird" was created in 1910 as a ballet. "I think it's a great opportunity for [the students] to see the original intent for the music," Baldwin said. "There is a life to the music that is very different when you're dealing with live dancers."
Based on a Russian folk tale, "The Firebird" unfolds the story of a mythical creature who is captured by Prince Ivan. The Firebird bargains for her freedom by agreeing to help the prince defeat a monster in order to marry his love.
"I've really had to focus on the acting because this is my first time doing a story piece," said Winfield, a U. senior. "But it's also fun, because I get to be kind of sassy, taunting the Prince, and really perform in certain moments."
David Riskin, a sophomore who plays Prince Ivan, says acting is the most important part, because the dancers must depict the whole story in a condensed version. That range of dance and emotion is underscored throughout the three preceding pieces in the concert.
Opening the show is "The Kingdom of Shades" from "La Bayadere" staged by professor of ballet Regina Zarhin. It's one of the best works for training dancers in classical ballet, Laird said.
Also on the program is "Rissig," which was created for Utah Ballet by Rick Tjia of Cirque du Soleil. The piece showcases theatrics and physicality as dancers embrace hip-hop and street stylings, while maintaining ballet knowledge of the body. "Bound" was choreographed by Sayoko Knode, a graduate student of ballet, and features continuous, sinewy movement.
"I like that we have so many different styles we have to switch back and forth from," said senior dancer Sarah Soloman. "When I'm backstage, I really try to prepare to go from classical to contemporary, because contemporary is so much looser. But I like it. It's training us to be more versatile."
Laird says that is exactly what the program is all about. "It's our goal to give students as professional an experience as we can," she said. "It's essential to their development as dancers."
Utah Ballet spring concert
The student ballet company will join Utah Philharmonia to perform "The Firebird."
When • Friday and Saturday, April 8 and 9, 7:30 p.m.
Where • Kingsbury Hall, University of Utah, 1395 E. Presidents Circle, Salt Lake City
Tickets • $20 ($10 students/faculty) at 801-581-7100 or http://www.kingsburyhall.com.