Duquesne University's Tamburitzans announce auditions for 1998-1999 (01/11/98)

Duquesne University's Tamburitzans announce auditions for 1998-1999

PITTSBURGH - The Duquesne University Tamburitzans, America's premier folk ensemble, will hold general auditions for the 1998-1999 performing season on February 11 and 12, at the Tamburitzan Cultural Center in Pittsburgh.

For over 60 years, Duquesne University has awarded millions of dollars of Tamburitzan grants-in-aid to talented student dancers, singers and musicians who wish to continue performing while pursuing a college degree. Tamburitzan students receive sizable annual grant awards, and may enroll in any field of study offered by the university. Traveling from coast to coast, the ensemble presents up to 80 shows per season, which runs from mid-August through May, with a four-week pre-season production camp.

Prior experience in an ethnic performing group is helpful, although not required; experience in musical theater, ballet, chorus, band, orchestra, or any of the performing arts may also qualify the candidate for consideration. The auditionee should, however, be an enthusiastic, passionate, talented entertainer with the desire to use that talent to defray the cost of earning a degree at one of the finest universities in the United States.

Open to graduating high school seniors and college undergraduates who wish to transfer to Duquesne, auditions will be held at the Tamburitzan Cultural Center, 1801 Boulevard of the Allies, several blocks east of Duquesne's campus. If it is not possible to come to Pittsburgh, applicants may arrange to audition at a performance site, or submit a video audition prior to February 11.

For more information, or to schedule an audition, contact the Tamburitzans at the following: telephone, (412) 396-5185, Monday through Friday during business hours, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.; fax, (412) 396-5585; e-mail, [email protected]. It is highly recommended that auditionees apply to Duquesne University as soon as possible to increase the prospect of receiving additional funding. For applications to the university, call 1 (800) 456-0590. The Tamburitzans' official website, maintained by Duquesne University, is located at http://www.duq.edu/Tamburitzans.

There are seven Ukrainian students currently gracing the Tamburitzans' stage. Larysa Halaway, Andreja and Mark Kalyta, Lydia Kurylas, Taras Posewa, Victor Kutovy and Peter Osyf all perfected their "Hopak," in addition to dozens of other dances whose steps, costumes and music were influenced by cultural traditions in various areas native to the dance as well as to historic events that occurred in these places, with Roma Pryma Bohachevska in her acclaimed dance group Syzokryli. Ms. Halaway, the Kalytas and Ms. Kurylas have also danced with the Philadelphia ensemble Voloshky. Mr. Osyf danced with a Ukrainian dance group in Connecticut.