Shay Ishii is dancing her way to a Masters of Fine Arts.
Ishii is presenting her dance concert “Threshold, A Collection of Dance Works” tonight and Friday night at 8 p.m. in the Dance Theater in AB III.
Accompanying her in the performance is Kista Tucker, choreographer for Kista Tucker Dance Company and Melissa Wynn, choreographer for Dangerous Lorraines Dance Theater.
“I really didn’t get into dance as an artistic endeavor until my sophomore year at Texas State,” said Ishii. She has been dancing for 11 years and also participated in her high school dance team.
Ishii specializes in modern dance and uses the Erick Hawkins technique. Ishii explained, “The Hawkins technique allows the body to move how it is designed to, making the dance look effortless.”
The performance includes six different dance pieces, two of which are Ishii’s. She said, “My first piece ‘The Red Piece’ is art at its first function.”
Her other piece “Aqueous Origami” was inspired by pieces of origami. “‘Aqueous Origami’ incorporates shape, movement and space,” said Ishii
Music combining strings and the cello is Ishii’s favorite type of music.
“I avoid the popular music and try to use different music from around the world. Usually the music doesn’t include vocals, but if it does, it is in a different language,” said Ishii.
Ishii is not only a dancer; she has three bachelor degrees in international business, Spanish and dance.
“After I graduated I got a regular job and I just wasn’t happy,” said Ishii. She said that she decided to go b
ack to school for dance because she felt the need move and dance.
Ishii lives in Austin and plans to try and get a job there after she graduates in Dec. with a Masters of Fine Arts in dance.
“I am looking in to establishing my own dance company,” said Ishii.
Tickets for the show are $8.