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Rising to the occasion: Aerial dancers among ‘Great Leaps’ performers Afreak accident his sophomore year in college in Iowa changed the course of Austin McGuire’s life. He was a football player — a starting running back — when he broke his back during practice right before the opening game. “I couldn’t play sports anymore, so I figured I’d get out of the cold and enjoy the rest of my college career in warmer weather.” So, McGuire came to the Big Island. He started out in college as a business major, but when he enrolled at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, he discovered an aerial dance class. He tried it and found that the activity actually helped rehabilitate his back by stretching and spacing out his vertebrae. “I ended up loving aerial dance and took the class over and over and over,” McGuire says. And though he had never taken a dance class in his life, he changed his major from business and marine science to performing arts and began taking as many dance classes as he could to improve his technique. “I think with my athleticism as a football player, dance was a better fit for me,” he explains. “But football is so rugged and dance is more (graceful). It has been a challenge but has helped me connect with my body more. It was a new sport to me and I jumped into every class, giving it my 110 percent. It opened my eyes to a whole new world and all new challenges.” Now, McGuire is set to graduate as a performing arts major and will present his senior project titled, “Those Moments,” at the semester finale for all UH-Hilo and Hawaii Community College dance programs this weekend. The annual “Great Leaps” concert features 150 dancers from both campuses as well as community guests performing original works in ballet, modern jazz and aerial dance. Dec. 01 2016 6. Zappa! UH-Hilo Jazz Orchestra tribute returns 10. Puzzles Entertain your brain 11. Sakada Day Honokaa celebration set for Dec. 18 12. Let’s Go Out Ono grinds CREDITS: Editor David Bock Writers John Burnett Katie Young Yamanaka Photography Hollyn Johnson Design Bonnie L. Rogers Katie Young YAMANAKA Big Island Vibe Email your Island Beat announcements to entertainment@hawaiitribune-herald.com See LEAPS Page 4 2 Thursday, December 1, 2016 HOLLYN JOHNSON/Tribune-Herald The Ballet 3 class taught by Celeste Staton rehearses for the fall 2016 “Great Leaps” dance concert at UH-Hilo.


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