Members of NECC’s Modern Dance class will perform “Growth of the Desert” December 9 and 10. (Front right) Karrie Stang Mason of Dracut; second row, Lauren Gagne of Dracut; (Rear L to R) Tanya Borrero of Lawrence, Bethany Hill of Auburn, NH, (standing) Ben Joyall of Groveland, Connie Bodemer of Haverhill, and Geehae Moon of Newton, NH.

A student choreographed dance piece that explores the concepts of birth and death will be showcased during Northern Essex Community College’s Performing Arts Department’s holiday recital titled “Variations: A Student Dance Performance” on Friday, December 9, and Saturday, December 10, at 7:30 p.m. at Pentucket Regional High School, 24 Main St., West Newbury.

Tickets are $ 8 adults, $6 students & seniors, $4 children under 12 and will be sold at the door.

“Duality of Nature,” choreographed by NECC students Elizabeth Dirk, Kerlande Michel, Jessica Phelps, and Alessandro Suarez, explores the course of life with the concepts of birth and death. Using trash bags as a visual tool, this piece conveys the good and bad side of nature.

NECC’s Modern Dance class prepares for the holiday performance to be performed December 9 and 10 at Pentucket Regional High School in West Newbury.

This dance was created as a semester project in Northern Essex’s Dance Composition course.

“Growth of the Desert,” choreographed by NECC dance program coordinator Michelle Deane, explores the life of a young person feeling out of place in their hometown, only to find as time passes there is beauty and wisdom in their roots. This is a modern dance pieces, performed by the Modern Dance class.

For additional information, contact Deane at mdeane@necc.mass.edu or 978-556-3597.

NECC offers a certificate in Dance Education and an associate degree in General Studies: Dance.