CSO Welcomes Dancing Wheels Company for SYMPHONY IIII LIGHTFALL Tonight

Canton, OH -- Dancing Wheels Company & School will bring their artistic expression to the Umstattd Performing Arts Hall stage tonight, November 21 at 8:00pm for an emotional collaboration with the Canton Symphony Orchestra (CSO). The performance, sponsored in part by T. K. and Faye A. Heston, Ohio Arts Council and Arts in Stark, will feature the world premiere of Stephen Melillo's Symphony IIII Lightfall. Gerhardt Zimmermann, CSO Music Director will conduct.

Dancing Wheels Company & School is a professional, physically integrated dance company uniting the talents of dancers both with and without disabilities. Founded in 1980 by Mary Verdi-Fletcher, the first professional wheelchair dancer in the U.S., Dancing Wheels has brought their inspirational mission to over 5 million people through performances, school assemblies, residencies and workshops.

"In 2015, we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act," notes Zimmermann. "It will be a very special night both musically and emotionally." This is not the first time Zimmermann has premiered a work by Melillo. In the early 90's, he premiered Melillo's S-MATRIX and Symphony 2: At Life's Edge while with the North Carolina Symphony both of which received standing ovations.

Also working on the team for this performance is choreographer Bobby Wesner, co-founder and artistic director of Neos Dance Theatre of Akron. Wesner has developed a strong culture of dance in the communities Neos serves and has choreographed over 45 works for Neos and other companies. He is the primary choreographer for the Dancing Wheels/Melillo premiere piece.
Umstattd Hall is wheelchair and handicap accessible. Those needing ADA seating are asked to contact the CSO box office at 330-452-2094 to confirm arrangements.

Tickets for the concert range from $25-$45. There are senior, student and group discounts available. Tickets and the full concert season schedule are available at www.cantonsymphony.org, by calling (330) 452-2094, at the Zimmermann Symphony Center - 2331 17th Street NW in Canton - weekdays from 10am-5pm or at the Umstattd Performing Arts Hall box office beginning one hour and fifteen minutes before the performance.

Founded in 1937, the Canton Symphony Orchestra is a fully professional ensemble and organization dedicated to performing concerts that enrich, educate and entertain. Under the direction of Gerhardt Zimmermann, the orchestra performs classical, pops, holiday, and educational programs. Most performances are in Umstattd Performing Arts Hall, adjacent to the Zimmermann Symphony Center 2331 17th Street NW, Canton, Ohio. Parking at the Zimmermann Symphony Center is free. For more information, please visit www.CantonSymphony.org.

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