Talented Tartan Dancers Shine at Spring Dance Concerts 

 

The Dance Conservatory Spring Dance Concert in the Marcus D. Hurlbut Theater featured dancers from Early School through grade 5 last week. More than 50 students from Early School and Kindergarten, in addition to 40 Lower School students in grades 1-5 performed a variety of dance styles highlighting their talent and passion for dance. Director of Dance, Kirsten Harvey, shared a pre-show message about how dance helps children learn coordination, build strength and social awareness. 

 

A special thank you was mentioned to the supportive team of dance teachers for their dedication and time to help students learn techniques and experience creative development through their dance pieces.

 

The Middle and Upper School Spring Dance Concert in Hurlbut Theater featured more than 60 dancers, including six seniors. The concert included a variety of movement, rhythm, and emotion as well as a diverse array of dance styles and musical genres. A total of 32 pieces were presented with many student-choreographed pieces.

 

The concert opened with “Me Against the Music” choreographed by Ella Mack ’24 as her advanced dance & composition honors project. Other honors projects were: “Pyramids” by Abbie Eubanks ‘24, “Black and Gold” a duet by Alyssa Margason ‘24 with Victoria Renner ‘24, “9 Crimes” by Grace Allen ’25, “When the Party’s Over” a duet by Tori Clark ‘25 with Grace Allen, “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever” by Ella Jia ‘24, “Holiday” by Paige Minton ‘26, “Don’t You Remember” a duet by Ella Pintar ‘24 with Ella Mack, “Dance Without You” by Tessa Maryott ’25, and “Love Language” Victoria Renner ‘24. These choreography projects demonstrated each choreographer’s ambition and talent.

 

Upper School ensembles that performed included Tartan Dance Company, beginning/intermediate dance and Upper School solos were danced by Ella Mack, Ella Pintar, Anna Feng ‘27, Paige Minton ‘26 and Ella Jia.

 

Middle School performances included “Instruction” by seventh/eighth grade dance and “Hot Honey Rag” by sixth grade dance. In addition, some of the Middle School-auditioned pieces were those by students Julia and Laura Almeida, grade 7, performing “Take Me Home”, Piper Arnold, Lea Moses and Wanika Zhang, grade 6, performing “Confidence”, Audrey Ma and Mylene Zhang, grade 7, performing “Salt”, and Marlowe Michels, grade 7, performing “Little Red Riding Hood”.

 

Mrs. Harvey produced most of the choreography and prepared the costumes for each performer. The technical aspects overseen by Technical Director and Resident Designer Gordon Richins were stunning, including professional lighting design by Jacob Olson enhancing the mood for the pieces and creating stunning visuals. Special thanks to the Upper School and Middle School technical arts students who worked backstage and in the tech booth for a successful production.