As the clock hit 6:30, the auditorium doors of Davie County High School opened. As patrons of this evening’s dance concert walk in, they see the red curtain covering the stage. While trying to find the best seat, the audience has yet to learn how different this performance will be in contrast to previous years. After choosing a seat, some soon notice chairs located in the front right corner along with instruments beside them. Spectators begin to question, “Am I here for a dance concert or a band concert?” Little did they know they were soon to witness a turning point in the Davie High Arts Department.
On May 15th and 16th, the Davie High Dance Department and Jazz Band presented their inaugural collaboration, which showcased live music and dances from different Broadway musicals.
This semester, dance teacher Caitie Reece organized a total of twenty-eight dances with the eighty-seven dancers she teaches. With this being the first team effort production of the arts performing together, Reece expresses, how this collaboration has brought the arts closer together.
“The band sounded amazing,” Reece says. “The dancers looked amazing, so overall it was wonderful, and we will definitely be doing this again.”
The spring semester’s concert highlighted teamwork between the participating dancers and the 31 jazz band members. Davie High Jazz Band, conducted by Matthew Brusseau, performed a total of eight music pieces from various Broadway musicals, including Les Misérables, West Side Story, A Chorus Line, Girl Crazy, Puttin’ On the Ritz, Porgy & Bess, and New York, New York; The Musical.
Each dancer took part in three or more dances. Within each dance, students choreograph sections that display their talents and character.
“Helping and being a part of a family when choreographing made it feel really fun,” freshman Vivian Walters said. For Walters, this experience has changed her from the beginning of the semester to the end.
While for many freshmen this is their first time performing, many other students have stayed involved in the dance department all four years of high school, including senior Mattie Barnette. Barnette has participated in five dance concerts throughout her high school years.
“The dance program has changed a lot,” Barnette said. “We get to learn from each other, and it’s been awesome to watch myself and other people grow.”
With seventeen dancers being seniors, Reece recognized these seniors both nights. During Thursday night’s concert, each senior received a rose and a handwritten letter on the back of the program, along with a heartfelt message.
“It’s been a roller coaster with ups and downs,” says senior Sierra Walker. “But I’m grateful for getting to come together and dance with these girls for my last dance concert.”
For some, the end of the spring dance concert not only points toward the end of the year but also points toward the beginning of a new chapter.