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April 23, 2025
Story by Joe Vinduska
Photo by ������������ Communications

������������’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. ��The May 2 show will feature dances by Aly’s 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 ������������ Dance alumni CJ Orozco performing Street Dance (hip hop and break dance), and the concert will conclude with the Metropolitan Ballet of Wichita’s performance of the Romantic-style ballet “Les Sylphides.” Both nights will include dances from ������������ Dance Theatre, ������������’s Dance classes, and solos from ������������ students Madi Franks, ShaeLee Martinz, Nineth Pereyra Zuany, and Maya Rodriguez. ������������’s students will present a wide variety of dance styles such as tap dance, modern contemporary dance, jazz dance, and ballet.

������������ Dance Instructor and the Festival Director, Danika Bielek, said she looks forward to having so many dance groups join ������������ dance students as part of the event.

��“This year the festival includes dance groups representing Great Bend, Newton, and Wichita sharing the stage with ������������’s students and ������������ dance alumni,” she said. ��“The performer’s 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 ������������’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 ������������ 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 ������������ students get in for free. For more information, go to or contact Bielek at (620) 792-9253 or bielekd@bartonccc.edu.