Have you ever wondered why you prefer dance concerts to paintings, sculpture to string quartets, the symphony to the ballet? The art form that touches us the most deeply connects to how each of us processes the sensory information around us. Primarily aural processors naturally connect to music, visual processors are drawn to the linear aspects of plays and ballet as well as visual art, and kinesthetic processors need movement to make sense of things. Of course, all of our senses are engaged most of the time, but there is usually one primary way in which we process our information.

Most people are visual learners; the second group are aural learners. The kinesthetic learner is often the odd man out, often falling through the cracks of a traditional school system. They are labeled as troublemakers or children with Attention Deficit Disorder because it is often difficult for the kinesthetic learner to sit still. However, if they physically experience or create the ideas presented -- a math theorem, an English play, a law in physics, or a story from history -- they truly do "get it," and have a lot to offer, as Chaos Theory and Everett Dance Theatre can testify.

Billbob Brown, Chaos Theory's Director, says that "math is much more fun than we were originally taught." He has gone into math and science classes in area public schools to bring out the fun he finds in the curriculum. The kids learn the facts while creating such pieces as "The Solar System Shuffle." Brown's interest in science is evident in his company work as well. He says, "Quantum physics and choreography speak the same language -- space and time." However, he says the artist can transcend space and time while the physicist cannot. As an artist, he looks for those peak moments when time stops and space is boundless. Brown uses an emotional palate to paint each moment while exploring how seemingly unpredictable patterns, such as those of the weather, function socially.

For information on Everett Dance Theater's approach to kinesthetic learning, see "A Dream Comes to New World Theater" on page 7.

Chaos Theory, Bravo Magazine's Best Pick for Professional Dance Company, will be performing at the Main Dance Studio at Hampshire College from September 21 to 23 at 7:30pm. Members of the company will also lead master classes/workshops which are open to the public. Everett Dance Theatre will be performing at the Rand Theater on September 27 at 7:30pm, produced in conjunction with Intersection II/New WORLD Theater. Their residency includes a school matinee on Tuesday, September 26 at 10:30am also at the Rand, as well as a master class/workshop, which may include anything from Everett's own brand of athletic dance/theatre to hip-hop to conflict resolution.

For more information and tickets call the Fine Arts Center Box Office at 413-545-2511 or 1-800-999-UMAS.

For a complete Residential Arts schedule log-on to fineartscenter.com