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Practiced feet, hands and voices came together in a rhythmic, melodious and joyful presentation on Thursday, Dec. 14 at the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St Louis Center for Performing Arts’ (ESLCPA) annual Holiday Celebration. 

ESLCPA students, ages 7-17, performed to a rapt and appreciative audience of family and friends in the Multipurpose Room on the Wyvetter H. Younge Higher Education Campus in East St. Louis.  

“During this holiday season, our students brought a whole lot of sparkle and shine to the stage, as only they can do,” said ESLCPA Director Homer Simmons. “Their hard work and commitment are always rewarded. It has been a pleasure to work with them year after year.” 

Some highlights of program included: 

• “Santa Baby” by Eartha Kitt and performed by Kacien Fields and Edris Jamison 

• “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” by the Jackson 5, with dancers Zariyah Brown, Meadow Coates, Kiarse Fields, Tamani Johnson and Kalia Parker, choreographed by Jaykayla Winford 

• “Silent Night” and “Mary, Did You Know?” both a Performing Arts rendition and performed by Yazmin Coleman 

• “Attention” (A Christmas Remix) by Todrick Hall, with dancers Imani Barnes, Nia Barnes, Zariyah Brown, Meadow Coates, Karenza Cox, Fields, Johnson and Parker 

• “Joy to the World,” a Performing Arts rendition and performed by Robert Foster, SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School student 

Performing were band students Willis Wright and Jyvion Smith; music students Yazmin Coleman, Kacien Fields, Robert Foster, Aunya King and Edris Jamison; and dance students Imani Barnes, Nia Barnes, Zariyah Brown, Meadow Coates, Karenza Cox, Kiarse Fields, Tamani Johnson and Kalia Parker. 

Directing the performances were ESLCPA instructors Jay’Kayla Winford, choreographer, and Esau Toombs, band director. Helping to oversee the production was ESLCPA Coordinator Jack Williams. 

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 1967. 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 has provided performing arts classes to students and community members to develop local talent and to cultivate a love of the arts. The program serves children ages 7-17. Students study beginning piano and guitar, drums, bass guitar, West African drumming and multiple styles of dance. Classes often culminate in musical and theatrical productions.  

Photos courtesy of Jack Williams:

Performing Arts students presented several dance numbers during the Holiday Celebration. 

Bringing song selections were Yazmin Coleman, of East St. Louis, (left) and Robert Foster, SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School student. 

Performing Arts band members provided some of the music during the Celebration.