'Rhythm Nation' Uptown Music Collective's Newest Venture

Following the success of the recent Irish rock tribute “The Unforgettable Fire,” the students of the Uptown Music Collective will once again take the stage of Williamsport’s Community Arts Center this time joining the students of Milissa Augustine Dance Academy in a performance that will integrate dance and live music in a dazzling re-imagination of the iconic sounds, images, and dances of the energetic pop music of the 1980’s. 

“Rhythm Nation: A Live Music and Dance Tribute to ‘80’s Music Videos” is a full-scale theatrical collaboration between the Uptown Music Collective and Milissa Augustine Dance Academy to be held at Williamsport’s Community Arts Center May 27 and 28 at 7:30 p.m. 

The music of the 1980s was greatly affected by the sudden popularity of synthesizers, studio effects, and novelty instruments such as the keytar, and the distinctive 80s sound is characterized by the use of modern, electronic sounds and energetic dance beats. 

Also characteristic of 1980s popular music is its seamless marriage to the dance of the era, with musical titans and pop culture icons such as Prince, Michael Jackson, and Madonna defining not only the sound of the decade but also influencing its look and feel through the daring and exciting use of a new media: the music video.  
The talented musicians and dancers from these two valuable community arts schools will pay tribute to the unique blend of sounds, sights, and movements birthed by this wave of musical modernity, finding inspiration in the songs and videos of iconic 80s artists.

The flexible and talented students of Milissa Augustine Dance Academy and the Uptown Music Collective will perform this music with an eye toward loyal and accurate reproductions of the original bands' distinctive sounds, and with the theatrical flair and artful showmanship characteristic of the finest of 80s dance. This performance will be a true collaboration between the students of each school, and will be organized by a student leadership committee involving both music and dance students.

Established in April of 2000, the Uptown Music Collective (a 501c 3 non profit school of music) has developed a reputation as the premier source of music education in the area, with an enrollment of over 130 students. Offering private lessons at all levels on guitar, bass, drums, keyboards and vocals, as well as classes and workshops in music theory, songwriting, and styles such as the Blues, Jazz, Classical and Rock. The primary age range of the Collective is 10 – 18 years old, but is open to all ages and levels.

Along with private lessons, the UMC offers a myriad of programs including its flagship Performance Program. This program educates students about the ins and outs of major and minor performances, including direction, production, preparation and technical aspects of the performances. The program brings outstanding student run performances to the area, including most recently The Orchestral Rock Project, a collaboration between the Collective and the Williamsport Symphony Youth Orchestra and The Unforgettable Fire; A Tribute to U2 and Irish Rock.

Celebrating its 26th season, the Milissa Augustine Dance Academy under the artistic direction of Milissa Augustine has grown into the most widely regarded and celebrated dance centers in Lycoming County. Located in the heart of downtown Williamsport the academy is a beacon of excellence in dance education.

Offering a diverse array of dance disciplines for all ages and levels of experience and skill, an abundance of performance opportunities, and providing a nurturing and inspiring atmosphere for all to learn and grow. In addition, the academy also offers a variety of programs, workshops, competitive dance teams, and performing dance companies.  Under the artistic direction of instructor and choreographer Milissa Augustine, the academy continues to be the dance center for everyone while remaining deeply committed and dedicated in its support of the community through dance.

"My hopes are that this project is enriching and inspiring to all of our performers. This is an opportunity for us as educators to raise the bar for our students by introducing them to yet another component of live performance. I am certain that they are going to have an amazing time while acquiring growth in their live performance skills and education. Collaborating with Dave Brumbaugh and the Uptown Staff has been an exciting and rewarding experience for me. It has truly been a joy to work with professionals that share so freely their love of music education and production,” Augustine said.

“Rhythm Nation” will feature over 100 performers primarily between 12 and 18 years of age from both schools who have been preparing for this performance for well over two months. Along with the live music and dance, there will also be a powerful light and sound show organized by the students themselves.

As with all Uptown Music Collective performances, the students are not only the performers, but also direct the show. There is also a group of younger students who will serve as stage technicians, spot light operators and video operators. The student organizers and performers aim to make this show a genuine collaboration by involving musicians in dances and dancers in the musical performance, hoping to transcend the typical stage dynamic of music existing only to support dance.

This performance is organized by a student leadership committee involving students from the both the Uptown Music Collective and Milissa Augustine Dance Academy. The student leadership committee for this show includes: Tess Clutter, 14, Williamsport Area High School; Samantha Via, 16, Loyalsock Township High School; Gianna Rockoff, 13, Loyalsock Township Middle School; AJ Robbins, 13, Loyalsock Township Middle School; Michaela Dennen, 15, Sullivan County High School; Micah Bower, 15, Williamsport Area High School; Shawn Chism, 14, South Williamsport High School; Gabe Stillman, 15, Williamsport Area High School; Shannon Cantor, 16, Loyalsock Township High School, Tess Marshall, 16, Loyalsock Township High School; Amber Fleming, 17, Williamsport Area High School, Alex Lehman,16, Williamsport Area High School, and Alysha Augustine, 15, Jersey Shore School District.  The leadership committee is under the supervision of both Dave Brumbaugh and Milissa Augustine.

“This performance is a big departure for our organization, while we have frequently involved dancing in our performances this will be the first time that the whole show is based on it. The music in Rhythm Nation also comes from a time when traditional instruments were being replaced by synthesizers and drum machines and we will be reflecting that by using electronic drums and even the infamous keytar in this exciting concert experience,” says Brumbaugh, executive director of the Uptown Music Collective

 “Rhythm Nation” is sponsored by Horsepower Harley-Davidson of Williamsport and Superior Plus Energy Services. Tickets for the performance are $10 in advance and $15 at the door with the proceeds benefiting the Uptown Music Collective and the Milissa Augustine Dance Academy. Tickets are available at The Uptown Music Collective (848 West Fourth St., Williamsport), The Community Arts Center Box Office (220 West Fourth St., Williamsport) and the Milissa Augustine Dance Academy (146 West Fourth St, Williamsport) as well as Alabaster Coffee (410 Pine Street, Williamsport) and K&S Music (1116 West Southern Ave, South Williamsport). For more information about Rhythm Nation: A Live Music and Dance Tribute to 80’s Music Videos or the Uptown Music Collective, check out www.uptownmusic.org or call 570-329-0888.

Quotes from students: “This show is a total whirlwind from all the others. For the singer’s it is an out of this world experience, learning to dance and sing at the same time! Milissa is an amazing person to work with, and it’s great to see the younger Collective students learning how to run the show.”  – Brianna Pete, 18, Senior Montoursville Area High School

“I think this show is an amazing opportunity to broaden my musical horizons. It’s going to be a fun challenge to multi-task on stage, but I know it will be an amazing experience, like all of the Collective shows!” –Katie Kahn, 15, Williamsport Area High School

“Rhythm Nation is going to be one of the grooviest shows I’ve seen in my experience at the Collective. The audience will love the variety of the songs and the performers themselves. These shows always turn out magnificent due to the hard work and determination put in by the students and the teachers!” - Jazmine Harlan, 16, Montoursville Area School District

“The Rhythm Nation concert is going to be awesome!  I think people are going to love the 80’s theme and the songs are great.  I can’t wait to get up on the stage and rock out.  This show is my first and I couldn’t be more excited.”- Devin Marty, 13, Curtin Middle School.

“I think this show will be fun, and a chance for people to get up and dance! It will definitely be exciting and especially since it’s my first show. The collective continues to strive for more shows and I think this is going to be a hit, for everyone!”  - Zack Chism, 12, South Williamsport Middle School.

“The Rhythm Nation show will be really fun. I’ve been excited to play in an Uptown Show ever since I started at the Collective and seen the shows. This show will be my first Collective show and I’m very very excited for the show. I believe that this show will have everyone in the audience up and dancing!” – Caleb Stover, 14, South Williamsport Jr High School.