Student-Choreographed Dance Performances Planned At New Trier

NORTHFIELD, IL — New Trier High School students are scheduled to perform seven new works choreographed by students and debut an original piece from a guest choreographer during a trio of live performances this month.

Kinesis, New Trier's student dance company, offers dancers in their second, third and fourth years at the high school the opportunity to choreograph and perform their own work with assistance from artistic directors Johannah Wininsky and Christopher Rutt.

“Artistic collaboration and exploration are key components to the choreographic process,” Wininsky said in a statement. “Not only do the students collaborate with their peers; they also have the unique opportunity to work with professional artists in developing their craft.”

Nine student choreographers worked individually and collaboratively to produce the seven pieces, district representatives announced.

Choreographers include Grace Bittman, Ashley Chow, Alexa Comess, Phoebe Dwyer, Camryn Lowry, Sierra Miller, Maddie Murphy, Lily Vandermolen and Lauren Van Neck.

Other members of the Kinesis Dance Company include Julia Burnham, Ellie Carlson, Rebecca Dubey, Kathleen Hutchinson, Julia Larson, Vivian Soeha and Katherine Zmudka.

The entire Kinesis company is schedule to debut the original work, "Existing In," by Kara Brody, a guest choreographer.

Performances are planned for 7 p.m. on Feb. 10 and Feb. 11, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Feb. 12, at the Cornog Auditorium at New Trier's Northfield Campus, 7 Happ Road.

Sunday matinee is set to be an interactive, family-friendly presentation aimed at younger audience members, such as elementary and middle school students from the area interested in involvement with New Trier's dance program. The show will include a discussion of lighting, sound and the creative process and a question and answer session.

Tickets for all three performances are available online or at the door.