Girls in the Band
Celebrating the Ladies who Swing the Band!
AVAILABLE FOR BOOKINGS!
Contact: info@concertodance.com
The Often Untold Stories of Musicians Who Paved the Way for Women in Jazz are Given Voice Through Dance, Music, and Film in Concerto Dance’s Original Evening Length Work, Girls in the Band.
Written, Directed and Choreographed by Jolene Konkel with costume design by Amy Hill
in collaboration with the award winning documentary film by Judy Chaikin.
Women have played a role in jazz from the very beginning, but often their contributions and stories have been largely unknown and untold. In a new, high-energy original production that fuses dance, music, narration, and film, Twin Cities based dance company, Concerto Dance seeks to highlight the contributions of female jazz pioneers, from the composers and arrangers behind-the-scenes of some of the most well-known male big bands of the swing era, to the all-female big bands formed in the 1930’s and 40’s, through the decades to women in jazz today.
"THE GIRLS IN THE BAND (documentary film) tells the poignant, stories of female jazz and big band instrumentalists and their fascinating, groundbreaking journeys from the late 30s to the present day.
These incredibly talented women endured sexism, racism and diminished opportunities for decades, yet continued to persevere, inspire and elevate their talents in a field that seldom welcomed them. Today, there is a new breed of gifted young women taking their rightful place in the world of jazz,
which can no longer deny their talents." - Judy Chaikin
“Girls in the Band is an important work that both educates and entertains as it reveals the history and contributions of female composers, arrangers and musicians in jazz. Women who did not let others define them, but who overcame obstacles and bias to pursue their gifts and passions with strength, courage and skill to create some of the best work jazz has to offer. As an all female artistic team, cast and crew, it is our privilege to tell this story!” - Jolene Konkel
What Audiences are Saying:
"Absolutely loved the combination of dance and film! Incredible!"
"The show was fantastic in every way! Just want more!!!"
"The program was so different from most dance performances. It was about a subject that most of the audience members knew nothing about. It was like a live documentary with the inclusion of real footage on film, actors playing the roles of the historical women in jazz, and then seeing the interpretation of what we had just learned through extraordinary dancing. It flowed seamlessly. Bravo!"
Meet the Cast and Crew
PC: Bill Cameron
Dancer
Rachel Bonkoungou
Rachel Bonkoungou holds a Bachelors of Arts in Dance from the University of Minnesota. She has danced professionally for Eclectic Edge Ensemble and as a freelance artist with various choreographers. Additionally, she has performed with Imagine Ballet Company in California and internationally in France, Senegal and China. Rachel is a founding member of Concerto Dance and serves as the Director of the Waconia Center for Dance Arts in Waconia, MN
Dancer
Morgen Chang
Morgen Chang is a Honolulu-born, Twin Cities-based theatre and dance artist. Since 2010 she has worked with local companies such as the Ordway Center, 20% Theatre Company, COLLIDE Theatrical, and Off-Leash Area, and has performed internationally with Folded Paper Dance and Theatre. Morgen also serves as Programs Manager for Theater Mu, where she delights in encouraging young artists and developing community-based creative experiences.
Dancer
Malia Craft
Malia Craft is originally from Hartwell, Georgia and is a recent graduate of the University of Georgia, where she received a B.A. in dance, a minor in exercise and sports science, and a certificate in K-12 dance education. She has a strong passion for teaching as well as performing. Malia is a current company member with Threads Dance Project and is in her third year as a company member with Concerto!
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Actor
Jillian Ehlke
Jillian Ehlke is an actor and dancer based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre with a minor in Dance from the University of Northwestern, St. Paul in 2019. Her past theatrical roles include: A Christmas Carol and 1984 at Open Window Theatre and The Importance of Being Earnest with Star Map Players. She is currently playing the role of Adeline in the upcoming web series, Hidden Falls. jillianmae.com
Dancer
Lydia Kantor
Lydia Kantor has had the honor of performing with Jolene Konkel since 2016 and is a founding member of Concerto Dance. She has also performed with Collide Theatrical Dance Company, Alternative Motion Project, Curio Dance, and Eclectic Edge Ensemble. Her performance experience expands into the theatre, including the Guthrie Theater's A Christmas Carol. She trained at Ballet Arts Minnesota, Minnesota Dance Theatre, and St. Olaf College.
Dancer
Sara Karimi
Sara Karimi graduated from the University of Iowa with a BFA in Dance Performance and BA in English. From 2010-2012, she performed and toured with 10,000 Feet Dance Company and Kayle + Co. before relocating to Minneapolis where she danced with Borealis Dance Theatre for eight years. She is currently a company member with Threads Dance Project, Rhythmically Speaking RJDP, and Concerto Dance.
Dancer
Helena Magalhães
Helena Magalhães has been a dancer for 20 years and is trained in a variety of techniques including ballet, modern, improvisation, jazz, and more. Since graduating from the University of Iowa with a BFA in Dance, she has been living in the Twin Cities to further expand her knowledge as a dancer, performer, and collaborator. This is Helena’s fifth year with Concerto Dance.
Dancer
Shannon Mulcahy
Shannon Mulcahy holds a BFA of Dance from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. During her undergrad, she trained under Toni Pierce-Sands, Carl Flink, Ananya Chatterjea, Erin Thompson and Joanie Smith. Her professional credits include Rhythmically Speaking, Contempo Physical Dance, Threads Dance Project and Erin Coyne Choreography. Shannon teaches at Ballare Teatro as well as youth master classes throughout the Twin Cities Metro area. Shannon is in her fourth year with Concerto Dance.
Dancer
Betsy G. Nelson
Betsy (Gaasedelen) Nelson is a dance artist, educator, and proud Minnesotan. She earned her BA in Dance and Exercise Science from St. Olaf College and has performed professionally with Collide Theatrical Dance Company, Minnesota Opera, Curio Dance, Rhythmically Speaking, and is a founding member of Concerto Dance. Outside of performing, Betsy teaches dance and serves as Office Manager at CREO Arts & Dance Conservatory.
Actor
Falicia Nichole
Falicia Nichole has been performing live theatre professionally for 6 years and has recently switched over to screen-work. Some of her stage credits include but are not limited to: Park Square Theater, Flying Foot Forum, Women’s Theatre Initiative, and Bloomington Artistry. Currently, she is producing and staring in the High Fantasy Series “Hidden Falls". She consistently works in racial reconciliation in all of the spaces she creates in and holds community and connection above all else. SDG
FaliciaNichole.com | HiddenFallsFilm.com
Costume Designer
Amy Hill
Amy is a freelance costume designer and maker in the Twin Cities, working in theatre and dance. Her work has been seen at History Theatre, Walking Shadow Theatre Company, Artistry, Rhythmically Speaking, Jolene Konkel Dance Collective, Minnesota Dance Theatre, Britta Peterson Dance, and 16 seasons on the Artistic team at Edina High School . Amy holds a BFA in Theatrical Design from the University of Minnesota, Duluth. It is a privilege to work along side of the creative mind of Jolene Konkel and the talented dancers of Concerto Dance.