By Jonathan Chong ’19
Upper school dance teachers Erica Jansson ’08 and Cynthia Winter, along with five seniors, visited the middle school campus to teach the Contemporary Dance Workshop Ⅰ, Contemporary Dance Workshop Ⅱ and Dance Production classes. These classes took place on Feb. 11 during third, fourth, sixth, seventh and eighth periods.
“The purpose of our visit was really to connect the dance program across both campuses,” Jansson said.
The first half of the classes were organized towards letting the students, both middle schoolers and seniors, dance together through a guided and structured improvisation. Seniors then answered questions specifically about the upper school dance program.
Dance teacher Joe Schenck said he enjoyed having the guest teachers come and thought that the experience was helpful for the students.
“I think it was very beneficial to have the seniors dancing alongside the middle school dancers. Their improvisation immediately became more explorative, expressive, bold and creative. I loved seeing everyone drawing inspiration from each other,” Schenck said.
Students in the classes also said they enjoyed the experience.
“The upper school dancers gave a lot of insight into the upper school program and made me excited to be part of it next year,” Catherine Crouch ’19 said.
This was not the first time that Jansson has come with the seniors to teach the middle school students. Jansson has been visiting for four years now and hopes to keep the tradition in the dance program.