Sangamon Sun

Students in the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center (ESLC) Performing Arts program could feel the love as they danced and played for adoring and supportive family and friends Wednesday, May 18 on the stage of the Multipurpose Room in Building D at the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus. 

The students presented an encore performance on Thursday, May 19 at Abbott Auditorium in Lovejoy Library on the SIUE’s Edwardsville campus. 

“I recognize the crucial and valuable importance of this kind of after school program, and it was my absolute pleasure to witness these incredible performances,” said SIUE Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD, at the conclusion of the ESLC performance. “To the parents who go to work, drop off their children, make dinner, help with homework, discipline, wash clothes, and still figure out how to get them here, I appreciate you and your commitment to helping these young people shine and strive for greatness. To Jack (Williams), Mary Jo (Pembrook) and Dr. (Randy) Pembrook, thank you all for investing in our young people. Mr. Williams, thank you for 39 years with the program!” 

The production began with drumming of the African kind. “Kambeng 1” was performed by Chamauri Gates, Cassi Scott, TiLeyah Trotter, Chya Trotter and Karenza Cox. Performing Arts staff member Gerald Babateunde Williams choreographed the selection. 

The spring show marked the retirement of Performing Arts piano and chimes instructor Mary Jo Pembrook, PhD, who has been with the program for the past six years. 

Pembrook’s chimes students thrilled audiences with two renderings from the Lion King. The first was, “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” performed by Karlie Boey, Kalia Boey, Jarri Winters, Greyson Coates, Auset Wilson and Meadow Coates, and assisted by Ya’Asantewa Tafari, with former SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook, PhD, on piano. 

The second selection was, “The Circle of Life,” performed by Aunya King, Javonni Winters, Khalif Sylla, Tafari, Dontaeus Lee, Gavin Mitchell, Kacien Fields and Randy Pembrook. The choir was assisted by Gabby Mitchell on flute. 

Pembrook performed with many of her piano students to the delight of the audiences, including Greyson Coates, Mitchell, Meadow Coates, Wilson, Karlie Boey, Kalia Boey, Jarri Winters, Gavin Mitchell, Lee, Fields, Javonni Winters, King, Tafari and Sylla. 

Performance in dance was also represented on both nights. “Pushing Forward” was performed by Nia Barnes, Imani Barnes, Olivia Bell, Karenza Cox and Tafari. “Man in the Mirror” was performed by the Barnes sisters, Bell, Cox, the Boey sisters, Wilson and Tafari. Performing Arts staff member Jay’Kayla Winford choreographed the numbers. 

 “My retirement from the SIUE East St. Louis Center is bittersweet,” said Pembrook. “I am ready to enjoy retirement with Randy. I have loved my work in East St. Louis and have become extremely  attached to the staff, students and their beautiful families. I have been a private piano teacher, a church choir director, a university professor, and a religious education director, but the work in East St. Louis was an unexpected and very sweet ending of my career. You never know where life will lead you, and I have been changed for good.” 

“Thank you, parents for supporting us this spring,” said Performing Arts Program Coordinator Jack Williams. “Our students did a lot of hard work. We were short staffed, but we had dedicated parents who supported us, and we still made it.” 

“We are asking you to continue to support us this summer for our summer camp,” he continued. “We have lots of great things in store.” 

For more information and to register, visit siue.edu/summer/camps/esl-performing-arts. 

Homer Simmons is the Visual and Performing Arts director. 

The SIUE East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts has a long, rich history. The legendary dancer, anthropologist, and social activist Katherine Dunham founded the Center for Performing Arts at the SIUE East St. Louis Center in 1964. At its peak in the 1990s, the East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts provided year-round instruction to more than 1,000 youth and became a training ground for professional artists of all disciplines. For decades, the East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts provided performing arts classes to students and community members to develop local talent and to cultivate a love of the arts. Classes often culminated in musical and theatrical productions. 

With a focus on empowering people and strengthening communities, the SIUE East St. Louis Center is dedicated to improving the lives of families and individuals - from pre-school through adult - in the Metro East. Head Start/Early Head Start and a charter high school are among the programs that offer the community renewed hope and an opportunity to reach educational, career and life goals. The Center also assigns first priority to encouraging, supporting and improving the educational success of the residents of East St. Louis and surrounding urban communities. The Center provides comprehensive programs, services and training in the areas of education, health, social services and the arts.  

Original source can be found here.