On Thursday, January 15, 2026, the Performing Arts department hosted a Contemporary Dance Showcase featuring performances by students from the Introduction to Contemporary Dance and Contemporary Dance Workshop I classes. The show highlighted student choreography and expressive pieces that had been worked on for months leading up to the show.
Directed by dance teachers Andrea Burr and Flavia Zuniga-West, the show gave many students who had never performed in front of a live audience the opportunity to gain experience. Burr, who is halfway through her first year at the school, teaches Introduction to Contemporary Dance, while Zuniga-West teaches Contemporary Dance Workshop 1.
The preparation for the show included studying and performing a variety of dance techniques. Students worked on elements of multiple styles, including jazz, ballet, and hip-hop, and focused on blending them to create unique pieces with expressive movement. Rehearsals also emphasized spatial awareness and trust exercises, encouraging dancers to connect with one another and move with confidence.
The fifth piece of the show, titled “Moving Voices: Dance, Growth and Movement,” featured a short film on the class and how it empowered students, brought joy to them when entering the studio, and allowed students to bond with their peers in other grades. They also explained how the studio was a source of inspiration and freedom in their lives, as well as a tight-knit, friendly community. The film was created by Ava Allen, a student volunteer and a member of the production team for the event.
Dance student Emma Gonzalez ‘29, who was in the show, said that she thoroughly enjoys dance class and looks forward to it every day.
“My favorite part about being in Contemporary Dance Workshop I is that it is a break from all the academics in my day,” Gonzalez said. “It’s great that we get to learn dances to fun songs and on top of that do costumes, and perform the shows.”
Gonzalez said the preparation for the show was smooth and enjoyable.
“We had two days of rehearsals,” Gonzalez said. “We learned the dances throughout the year and then just continued to work on them every class. [The preparation] is not like a tedious task, its fun and we get to do our costumes and then after a bit we are ready to perform.”
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