BY GWEN HAYES

Sentinel Editor

Eight students from the Patel Conservatory will have an opportunity to join the Dance Theatre of Harlem on stage Sunday, April 21, 2013, 4 p. m. at the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts in the Carol Morsani Hall. The group makes a return visit to Tampa for the first time since 2001.

The students, ages 12-14, who have been selected are: Kennedy Falyn Cassada, Kiyo Miyazato, Courtney Gunsteens, Taylor Barrett, Camila Daniel, Amy Wilson, Catherine Johnson and Tessa Hartmann. Seven of the students will be on stage and one will serve as an alternate.

The students will dance in a 26 minute ballet entitled “Gloria,” choreographed by the Dance Theatre of Harlem’s resident choreographer, Robert Garland. It is set to the music of Francis Poulenc.

The Dance Theatre of Harlem, celebrating 44 years, was founded in the basement of a church in 1969 by Arthur Mitchell and the late Karel Shook. The 2 were inspired to bring new opportunity to the lives of the young people in the Harlem neighborhood.

Dance Theatre of Harlem is now under the leadership of a second generation of artists inspired by Mitchell’s vision. Artistic Director Virginia Johnson, a founding member of the company and a former prima ballerina, and Executive Director Lacewen Naidu, former school director and a choreographer, are following through on a 21st century goal to build community, inspire and uplift through the power of art.

Performances will also include “Return” by Garland set to music of James Brown and Aretha Franklin, “Black Swan” from Swan Lake and “Agon” the ground-breaking 1957 collaboration between two monumental 20th century artists.

Free Master Class Saturday

On Saturday, April 20th, Dance Theatre of Harlem will host a free master class from 3:30-5 p. m. The class is open to students in grades 7-college with a minimum of 5 years of recent ballet training. Must have 2 years of training on pointe.