Youth to dance “Little Mermaid”

BANGOR – Bangor Youth Ballet dancers from the Bangor area – and from as far away as Calais, Surry and Swanville – have been rehearsing “The Little Mermaid” since last fall for performances on June 18 in Bangor and June 24 in Deer Isle.

Conceived and choreographed by Heinrick Snyder, the ballet is based on the Hans Christian Anderson story of “The Little Mermaid.”

As is typical of Hans Christian Anderson stories, the little mermaid does not “live happily ever after” with the prince.

Instead she sacrifices herself so that he may live and in doing so, she transforms into sea foam.

In choosing the music, Snyder has created a cohesive score that tells the story musically and also introduced the talented dancers to a variety of musical sources from Chopin to Philip Glass.

Dancing the lead role of Cecila in “The Little Mermaid” will be Erin Vasil of Swanville.

Also in the cast are:

. Senior corps, and soloists: Brooke Black, Hilarie Blunt, Rachel Caron, Ariel Eaton, Melissa Glifort, Rebecca Hawkins, Samantha Lott, Ben Malone, Kristyn Murphy.

. Junior corps: August Eaton, Tommy McCarthy, Sarah Bishop, Karyn Carlin, Antonia Carroll, Shannon Dapice, Alex Michaud, Erin Norris.

. Children: Reilly Bolin, Mykayla Dawes, Julia Fasse, Johannah Harrod, Erin Landry, Danielle Leture, Mikayla Lindsay, Shelby Marquard, Abigail McCarthy, Skyler McLean, Geneva Selmon.

In addition, the shows will include a performance of “Elements,” a contemporary ballet set to music by Stravinsky and choreographed by Katrina Smedal. The 10-minute piece was created by Smedal as part of her senior thesis at the University of Maine.

Dancers are Rachel Caron, Melissa Glifort, Erin Vasil, Michelle Birmingham, Katrina Smedal and Brooke Black.

“The Little Mermaid” will be performed at:

. 3 p.m. Sunday, June 18, Peakes Auditorium, Bangor High School.

. 7 p.m. Saturday, June 24, at the Reach Performing Arts Center in Deer Isle.

Tickets are $10, $5 for children, and may be purchased at Patrick’s Hallmark Shop in Bangor, the Grasshopper Shop in Bangor and Ellsworth and Thomas School of Dance. Patron-reserved seating tickets may be purchased for $20 by calling Thomas School of Dance at 945-3457.